Clownvis Presley
Clownvis Presley is a character who combines musical parody and comedy, created and portrayed by Michael Leahy from St Louis, MO. Clownvis Presley is known as "The King of Clowns" in the tradition of Elvis Presley impersonators with added elements of party clown, alternative comedy act, magic, and humorous original songs.
Early career
Donning a customized and bedazzled jumpsuit, oversized pompadour wig, full face makeup, and a bulbous red nose, Leahy began performing as Clownvis Presley for parties and special events in 2006. Hiring himself out as “a Craigslist Clown”, many of Clownvis’ earliest gigs came from postings in the online classified ads.His performances involve some classic Elvis impersonation repertoire to karaoke tracks, while also incorporating party clown style magic tricks, deadpan humor, original songs, gags and stunts, and sometimes one or two bodyguards who remain on stage for the duration of the show.
The act was relocated to Hollywood in 2010. After gaining attention from television appearances, he performed frequently at comedy clubs in Los Angeles and hosted “Clownvis and Friends” at the Hollywood Improv monthly from 2011–2013. LA Weekly called his act "better than the real Elvis".
Clownvis appeared on comedy bills with comedians Tim Heidecker, Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, Drew Carey, David Spade, Bob Odenkirk, Neil Hamburger, and others.
Following his return to the St Louis area in 2015, Clownvis began taking his act on the road, which saw him touring as a headliner, support act, and master of ceremonies for a variety of legacy rock bands, punk bands, hip hop groups, and musical comedy groups.
Television, radio, and video appearances
Leahy appeared out of character on Judge Karen’s Court, a television program, in 2010 as a plaintiff in a payment dispute over fees owed for Clownvis performances at several children's birthday parties. The defendant, agent Jason Thomas, refused to pay because of accusations of Clownvis being intoxicated during the parties. Judge Karen awarded Leahy $900.On June 30, 2010, Clownvis appeared as a contestant on NBC’s America's Got Talent in Episode 10 of Season 5, entitled “Final Auditions”. The program was unable to secure the performance rights to the songs he wanted to sing, so in jest he sang "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" during his audition while performing the ubiquitous magic gag of pulling a series of tied-together cloths from his mouth. Judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel pressed their buzzers, indicating that he was eliminated from moving on to the next round. Clownvis proceeded to spar with and insult the judges, and was eventually escorted from the stage by host Nick Cannon to the tune of "The Tears of a Clown".
Clownvis was invited back on the Season 5 finale episode which aired on Sept 15, 2010, singing “I Gotta Feeling” with nine other America's Got Talent Audition All-Stars. Rock group The Goo Goo Dolls sported Clownvis T-shirts on this episode.
Other appearances/ mentions include the Comedy Central show Indecision in 2008, The Tom Green Show (July 17, 2014, AXS TV, Playboy Radio's The Naughty Show in 2013, and on Sirius XM with Howard Stern in 2019.
Clownvis briefly produced an internet series called “Clownvis Time” in 2013.
Clownvis is a recurring guest on several programs, including KROQ-FM Kevin and Bean Show Los Angeles and The Point Rizzuto Show St. Louis.
Clownvis To The Rescue Show
On Mar 16, 2020 at 9pm CDT, Clownvis began hosting a nightly Facebook livestream called “Clownvis to The Rescue” after his tour schedule was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Riverfront Times says of the show, "He’s a hybrid comedian / entertainer / singer and watching him is like witnessing an OG Branson act on mushrooms." The characters on this show include an alien producer named Squeeb, a robotic dog named Robodawg, and a female robot named Brainina-95. The variety show is a mixture of comedy, music, and improv. Many of the shows have running themes from episode to episode, such as a battle with the Magician's Guild for giving away trade secrets, scuffles with banjo players for hogging the internet bandwidth, the studio being infiltrated by ill-intentioned “Blogans”, a mysterious relationship with the internet overlords, Spectrum, and the consumption of a variety of beverages with their own themed music, such as “Jamaican Red Wine”. One episode featured guest Violent J of ICP for a phone interview.Touring
Clownvis has toured with acts Insane Clown Posse, Neil Hamburger, Mac Sabbath, Unknown Hinson, The Blasters, and Supersuckers, amongst others.The first clown-themed tour he embarked on was the Clown Power tour with Mac Sabbath, in which he performed from Aug 28- Sep 14, 2016 throughout the midwest and eastern US.
He gained notoriety amongst clown enthusiasts after beginning to work with hardcore hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. Clownvis Presley was scouted by the group's members Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J while performing at PJ's Lager House in Detroit, MI in early 2018. He was invited to be Master of Ceremonies at Insane Clown Posse’s infamous Gathering of The Juggalos. The festival took place from July 18–20, 2018 and it led to an increase in his cult following by ICP fans which are known as Juggalos.
Following The Gathering, Clownvis emceed ICP’s Hallowicked tour that fall.
Clownvis also emcee’d and hosted the American Music 40th Anniversary Tour featuring The Blasters, Supersuckers, and Wayne Hancock from June 28-July 13, 2019.
He was invited back to The Gathering in 2019 in Springfield, IN from July 31-August 3 to host the main stage and perform on the comedy stage along with Gilbert Godfried. Clownvis was mentioned by name 6 times 7/23/19 on the Howard Stern Show on Sirius XM, where Stern said “One of the biggest acts this year is Clownvis” when referring to the Gathering of the Juggalos.
Discography
45rpm A Very Clownvis Christmas "Don't Be A Bitch b/w "Baby I'm Coming For You On Christmas”Videography
| Year | Title | Director | Other information |
| 2012 | "Barack O’s Tacos" | Sean Barrett | written by Clownvis Presley |
| 2012 | "Jesus Christ Eatin’ On A Chicken Wing" | Sean Barrett | written by Clownvis Presley |
| 2013 | "The Cursive Song" | Sean Barrett | written by Clownvis Presley, featuring Neil Hamburger, Emily Marilyn, Nikki Limo |
| 2013 | "I Want My GMO’s" | Sean Barrett | written by Clownvis Presley |
| 2013 | "Dancing With The Wolfman in a Non Gay Way" | Sean Barrett | written by Clownvis Presley |
| 2013 | "Baby I'm Coming For You On Christmas" | Sean Barrett | written by Clownvis Presley |
| 2015 | "Reading Rainbow Theme Song" | Sean Barrett | Reading Rainbow theme song written by Steve Horelick, Dennis Neil Kleinman, and Janet Weir |
| 2016 | "Fresh Prince In The Ghetto" | Sean Barrett | Mashup of Will Smith's "Fresh Prince of Bel Air Theme Song" and Elvis' "In The Ghetto" |
| 2017 | "Don't Be A Bitch | written by Clownvis Presley | |
| 2019 | "Scientology" | Sean Barrett | written by Clownvis Presley |
| 2019 | "Trafficula" | Brian McClelland | written by Clownvis Presley |