It’s time for J.P. Patches to exit. Chris Wedes, who has played the classic clown since the 1950s, will be making his last public appearance this Saturday. Wedes, who is now 83-years-old, is suffering from Cancer and says that his appearance at the Fishermen’s Fall Festival in Seattle will be his last.
Wedes appeared as J.P Patches on KIRO-TV from 1958 to 1981. When his 23-year TV stint was over, he took his clown act to communities across the country.
Steve Funk, president of the Fishermen’s Terminal Tenants Association, said:
“He’s been with us just about every year since we started. We’re more than honored to think that he is waiting until after this event to retire. It says a lot about where his heart is. He does gags, has the kids do ‘Simon says,’ or hula hoops on stage … . It’s the same thing every year but it never gets old, never goes out of style. The kids love it and so do the parents.”
The Seattle Times reports that J.P. Patches has a private event scheduled for December, but the clown doesn’t think he’ll have the strength to perform.
But Wedes doesn’t like to think about his health problems. Wedes told SeattlePi.com back in April, a few days before his 83rd birthday, that it was about time he retired. Wedes said:
“I don’t feel like I have the old zing that you really need to get out there and greet your fans. But I don’t think about the health problems, I just say, ‘OK, today’s a wonderful day.’”
Here’s a video looking back on Chris Wedes and his iconic clown character, J.P. Patches.
J.P. Patches and his burly girlfriend Gertrude, played by Bob Newman, were immortalized in a bronze statue that was dedicated in 2008. Now the famous clown will have one last chance to say goodbye to his fans.
Do you remember Chris Wede and J.P. Patches?
