<Archive Obituaries> Edwin Alberian (March 31st 1997)
Bill Schenley
FROM: The Bergen Record (April 2nd 1997) ~
By Don Stancavish, Staff Writer
Edwin Haig Alberian, who entertained millions of young
baby boomers as Clarabell the clown on television's
"Howdy Doody"show, died Monday. He was 77.
The cause of death was pneumonia, family members said.
Mr. Alberian, a Columbia University graduate, abandoned
a career in science and medicine to become an entertainer.
He appeared over the years as a number of clown
characters, including Bozo.
Later in life, he was known to many as Dokey the clown,
performing in shopping malls around the country and
educating youngsters about the fundamentals of math and
the importance of reading.
A longtime Weehawken resident, Mr. Alberian also
appeared as the live host on cartoon television shows
produced by Warner Brothers and Hanna-Barbera with such
characters as Huckleberry Hound and Magilla Gorilla.
During his long career, he also made appearances on the
popular NBC children's show "Banana Splits."
Mr. Alberian, who was raised in Queens, decided to become
an entertainer after receiving a master's degree in chemistry
from Columbia. Instead of pursuing a career in science, he
became a singer and appeared in Broadway shows.
After several years, Mr. Alberian successfully auditioned
for the part of Clarabell, the mute clown on"Howdy Doody"
who used a horn to communicate. The role was originated by
Robert Keeshan, who went on to become Captain Kangaroo.
Mr. Alberian was on the show for a decade.
Over the years, Mr. Alberian also played Bozo the clown and
Sir Wacky Clacky. He achieved prominence as Dokey, known
for educating children through his balloon tricks. Dokey
appeared numerous times at the Bergen Mall in Paramus.
Toward the end of his career, Mr. Alberian played Santa
Claus at various North Jersey shopping malls and made
appearances as a clown at the now-defunct Jamesway
Corp. department stores.
He was a member of the Armenian Presbyterian Church
and the Armenian Missionary Association of America Inc.,
both in Paramus.
In 1988, after an earthquake devastated Armenia, Mr.
Alberian flew there to perform as a clown throughout the
countryside.
He is survived by his wife, Marie; a son, Warren, of
Weehawken; and a daughter, Marilyn Aprahamian of
Massachusetts.
Visiting will be Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the
Armenian Presbyterian Church. Services will be Friday at
11 a.m. at the church. A burial will follow.
Memorial donations may be made to the church or to the
Armenian Missionary Association.
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Photo (Clarabell): http://ricksaphire.com/Photos/clarabell.jpg
Photo (Howdy Doody): http://www.anecdotage.com/pics/howdydoody.jpg
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Buffalo Bob Smith Talks About The Death Of Edwin
Alberian, An Actor Who Played Clarabell On "Howdy
Doody"
FROM: CNN (April 3rd 1997) ~
By Lou Waters
When it was "Howdy Doody time," he was there to
entertain the kids when the "Howdy Doody Show"
went on the road. He spoke through only beeps of a
horn, but tickled the fancies of children across the
United States. Edwin Hague Alberian (ph), an actor
who played Clarabell the clown in public appearances
and once on the television program has has died of
pneumonia.
He became an entertainer after studying medicine and
getting a master's degree in chemistry. His wife said he
loved children. Indeed, he spent his later years trying to
educate children about everything from nutrition to math
and reading.
On the line with us from North Carolina where he lives is
Buffalo Bob Smith himself, who knew Mr. Alberian. And
I would think, Buffalo Bob, a fellow who studies medicine
and receives a master's degree in chemistry and then goes
on to entertain children was a special kind of a fellow?
BUFFALO BOB SMITH: Well, Lou, and he was. He was a
special kind of a fellow really. Such a great buddy, and I
was so sorry to hear of his passing. Eddie was really only
on one "Howdy Doody Show" on television as Clarabell.
You see, one of our sponsors was -- well -- Palparot (ph)
Shoes, if we're allowed to mention that. And the biggest
time of the year when they sell shoes are the last two
weeks in August when the kids come back from camp
and preschool. So we had some what we called "road
Clarabells" that appeared all over the company in
Palparot (ph) shoe stores. And then they'd always make
sure that they got the Aerodoodle (ph) at 5:15 to be back in
Doodieville for the show.
Well, Eddie Alberian was one of our greatest. He appeared
all over for us. Then when we did our -- I believe it was
our 1,000th show -- our Clarabell, Bobby Nicholson at the
time, was ill, and we had Eddie Alberian (ph) appear on the
show. That was the one show that he appeared as Clarabell.
WATERS: How much Clarabells were there in all?
SMITH: Well, there were three. The first one, Bobbie
Keeshan, who later came Captain Kangaroo.
And then Bobby Nicholson, who became J. Cornelius
Cobb, who ran the general store. And since 1954, Lou
Anderson, who was the greatest that we ever had -- all of
them. He still is Clarabell and still does shows with me on
the road and all over.
WATERS: Do you all stay in touch? Is this like a death in
the family?
SMITH: Yeah, this is -- you know -- well, he was on the
air with us in about, I would say about '58 or '59. He was
Gus Gasbags, and he did a bit with balloons, where he
would blow up balloons and make them look like dogs
and cats and animals and whatever. And he was very, very
clever, and he really devoted his entire life to entertaining
kids. He is wonderful guy, and I'm certainly going to miss
him.
WATERS: His wife said he just had a way with children. I
guess you concur with that.
SMITH: He was marvellous.
WATERS: Okay. Edwin Hague Alberian, and a little tribute
there from Buffalo Bob. Nice to talk to you, Bob.
SMITH: Thank you, Lou. We look forward to seeing you in
Wilmington at the big golf tournament.
WATERS: I'm going to play golf with you, and my best to
Mildred, your lovely wife.
SMITH: And kiss Bobbie for me.
WATERS: Bobbie and Natalie, I'll kiss them all.
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Photo: (BBS/HD & Clarabell):
http://john.hultgren.org/images/howdy.jpg