Bill Britten

William Cohen (1928 – February 4, 2020) was an American actor born in Philadelphia, to an opera actor and singer. As Bill Britten, he is best known for his portrayal of Bozo the Clown in the New York City market.

College education and early career

Britten performed as a mimic and pantomimist for local parties in Philadelphia to finance his college education. He earned a degree in drama at Temple University. After serving in the U.S. Army, where he wrote, performed and produced shows for Special Services, he earned a Master's Degree in drama at the University of Washington in Seattle. Assisted by Faye and her puppets, Britten entertained millions of children at noon each day with his "Jellybeaner Salute" and "Jellybeaner Song."

One of the skits that Britten performed as "Johnny Jellybean" was his unsuccessful effort to obtain a drink of water from a malfunctioning water fountain. This skit was based on a similar routine that the "Poor Soul" Jackie Gleason character performed on the Cavalcade Of Stars television variety show on the DuMont Television Network during 1951. The information about Gleason's performance in the water fountain skit is derived from a recently discovered kinnie film print of that show that was featured on the television documentary "Jackie Gleason’s Cavalcade Of Characters."

Britten succeeded Herb Sheldon on August 10, 1958 to become the host of WABD's (later WNEW-TV and now WNYW-TV) "Wonderama" program. It was the first children's show to be taped before a live studio audience. Britten initially hosted the show as "Three Gun Willie The Kid" and he was accompanied by Doris Faye's "Princess Ticklefeather" character. Britten's character, however, proved unpopular and was dropped from the show. Britten also hosted "The Looney Tunes Show" on Saturday nights from August 9, 1958 until August 30, 1958, and the weekday evenings "Bugs Bunny Presents" and "Funnytoones" shows at the same station until his December 1958 departure.

On Monday, September 14, 1959, Britten moved to WPIX-TV in New York City and began to portray the character "Bozo the Clown" for "The Bozo Show" that aired until March 1, 1963. On March 4, the series changed time slots and was renamed "Bozo's Big Top Circus". This show lasted until June 2, 1963. During this period, Britten also hosted the Saturday morning cartoon show "The Cartoon Express", from October 13 to November 3 of 1962. Faye joined him on these shows as "Princess Ticklefeather."

Britten's last show was "Bozo's Cartoon Circus Lunchtime Show". The program was broadcast from June 24, 1963 until August 14, 1964, marking the end of his involvement with children's television. A few years earlier, a parent from Westchester County, New York, in a letter published by the New York Daily News, accused Britten of teaching her children to utter the phrase "Aw, shut up." In a brief explanation that appeared in a subsequent issue of the newspaper on June 5, 1960, Britten replied: "...I must emphasize that she is greatly mistaken in asserting that they are acquiring the expression from me. Apart from many years of performing for children, I have spent many enriching years as a schoolteacher and educator, and I am doubly aware of the influence we performers have on young viewers and our responsibility in that connection. I have never used, nor will I ever use, expressions in bad taste on any of my programs. I feel certain that if (the woman) were to investigate the situation more thoroughly she would find that her children are getting these expressions from other sources."

Personal appearances

During his television career, Britten made countless appearances before children at events throughout the New York City area. The appearances included the Christmas parade in Paterson, New Jersey, local circus events and shows at Freedomland U.S.A. in The Bronx. On Friday, June 16, 1961 Britten appeared on the WPIX-TV special program "Big Freedomland Special." Other station children's show hosts – Officer Joe Bolton, Captain Jack McCarthy and Chuck McCann – also appeared on the program that was recorded at the popular American history theme park. Britten is mentioned in the book Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History.

Programming, teaching, broadway, film

Following his work in front of the camera, Britten served as a programming director for WNYC and as a drama teacher at Performing Arts High School in New York City. He also appeared on Broadway, most notably as the Barber in the original Broadway production of Man of La Mancha alongside Robert Rounsville and Richard Kiley. Britten also appeared in the 1980 film Fame as drama teacher Mr. England.

Personal life Britten was married to Mary Louise Jones for 48 years. He died on February 4, 2020.