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Dick "Rocko" Lewis

1908 – 1966

American clown

Clown
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About Dick "Rocko" Lewis

Lived 1908 – 1966 (aged 58). Dick "Rocko" Lewis was an American clown.

Richard Henry Lewis III (June 4, 1908 – October 22, 1966), better known by his stage name "Rocko," was a circus performer and entertainer who performed as a clown in more than twenty circuses between 1938 and his accidental death during a performance in 1966.

Lewis was born in Butte, Montana. In approximately 1938, Lewis was working odd jobs for the Al G. Barnes Circus when he met Felix Adler, who encouraged Lewis to become a clown. Lewis went on to work with renowned performers such as Adler, Emmett Kelly, and Otto Griebling.

Lewis's signature act was the "table rock," a dangerous balancing act where Lewis would rock back and forth atop three stacked card tables before tumbling off in a somersault.

Lewis made uncredited appearances as a clown in various films and television productions including "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952), "Here Come the Girls" (1953), "Ring of Fear" (1954), and "The Clown Who Cried," a 1954 episode of "The Adventures of Superman" in which Lewis performed the table rock as a stunt double.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Clown
Nationality
Employers
Al G. Barnes Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Cole Bros. Circus, Circus World Museum
Also known as
Richard Henry Lewis III

People in Dick "Rocko" Lewis's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Dick "Rocko" Lewis's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Dick "Rocko" Lewis?

American clown

When was Dick "Rocko" Lewis born?

Dick "Rocko" Lewis was born on 4 June 1908 in Butte.

When did Dick "Rocko" Lewis die?

Dick "Rocko" Lewis died on 22 October 1966 in San Antonio.

What was Dick "Rocko" Lewis's occupation?

Dick "Rocko" Lewis was a clown.

What nationality was Dick "Rocko" Lewis?

Dick "Rocko" Lewis was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Dick "Rocko" Lewis

· Wikidata: Q78035510

· DBpedia: Dick "Rocko" Lewis

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Dick "Rocko" Lewis. https://biography.guide/dick-rocko-lewis/

MLA: "Dick "Rocko" Lewis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/dick-rocko-lewis/.

Chicago: "Dick "Rocko" Lewis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/dick-rocko-lewis/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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