Mr Grimaldi as Joey the Clown 1822 Poster

Mr Grimaldi as Joey the Clown - published 1822. Joseph Grimaldi (1778 - 1837) was an English actor, comedian, dancer, and one of the most famous clowns. He expanded the role of the Clown in the harlequinade and created a base for the modern clown. Clowns in England are, after him, sometimes called “Joey.” Grimaldi was born on 18 December 1778 in Clare Market, London, and he came from a long line of dancers and comic performers. His great-grandfather was John Baptist Grimaldi, a professional dentist and amateur performer. He moved from Italy to England in 1730 and performed the role of Pantaloon with John Rich, who played Harlequin. Joseph's grandfather, Giovanni Battista Grimaldi, also performed professionally since his early years (so professionally that, according to some sources, he ended up in the Paris Bastille due to a scandalous performance). Joseph's father, Joseph Giuseppe Grimaldi (known as "the Signor" or Giuseppe), was also an actor and a dancer, and he played Pantaloon in pantomimes at the Theatre Royal.