Frowning Naugatuck Clown's TV Run Ends

Connecticut man looks to advance on NBC reality show

By Brad Drazen
|  Thursday, Aug 27, 2009  |  Updated 9:22 AM EDT
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Frowning Naugatuck Clown's TV Run Ends

NBC

A fire-swallowing clown is out of luck and off "America's Got Talent."

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The run to stardom is over for Connecticut's only contestant in the "America's Got Talent" Top 48.

Chris Allison, aka "Coney Island Chris," is a professional clown who's rise to fame and fortune ended abruptly Wednesday night. 

His performance this week included swallowing fire and setting fire to his pants. The judges buzzed him off the stage Tuesday then viewers voted him off the show. 

Even as his show dreams ended, he kept the comedy going on stage.

Allison's journey to "America’s Got Talent" started in 5th grade when he was on field trip to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and was mesmerized by the clowns, according to his bio on the show’s Web site.  After graduating from high school, Allison went to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey's Clown College.

For the next 11 years, he worked as a clown on tour and it was while touring with Ringling Bros. that he met his wife Gina.

His plans for the immediate future are unclear.

Posted Aug 27, 2009
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