Koodles the Clown. Image from John Murdy on Twitter.
| “ | And I'll be there too, boys n' girls.....waiting for you.....IN THE DARK! | „ |
| ~ Hollywood Harry |
Hollywood Harry is the nickname given to former actor, clown, and circus performer Harold Kappowitz also known as Koodles the Clown. After being kicked out of Universal Studios due to a decrease in the popularity and an increase in the fear of clowns, Kappowitz retreated into the Hollywood Hills and began to formulate his revenge to get back at those people who fired him. He was the main character in Eli Roth Presents: Terror Tram during Halloween Horror Nights 2016 (Hollywood) and Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz during Halloween Horror Nights 2018 (Hollywood). He would return as the main character of Terror Tram (2022) during Halloween Horror Nights 2022 (Hollywood).
His tale can be seen here.
History[]
“There's nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight.”
― Lon Chaney Sr.
It all started in the summer of 2016, when Universal Studios Hollywood had just launched the new nighttime studio tour, the first time in the movie theme park's fifty year history that guests were allowed to experience the historic backlot after dark. That summer, a series of viral videos filmed by guests on board the Universal Studios tram tour surfaced on the Internet. Almost immediately after the videos surfaced, the internet exploded with wild speculation about the mysterious phantom clown. It didn't take long for his identity to be revealed. His name was Harold Kappowitz, better known to long time Los Angeles residents as Koodles the Clown. In the late 1950s, the former circus performer had hosted a local children's television show that filmed on the Universal lot. When Universal Studios Hollywood opened in 1964, Kappowitz's alter ego served as the park's unofficial mascot.
But times changed. Thanks to sensationalized news stories and unflattering depictions in the media, clowns were no longer viewed as comedic characters beloved by children. They had become the stuff of nightmares. Circus attendance had plummeted and Kappowitz's fortunes along with them. No longer employed by the theme park, Kappowitz resorted to working as an unpaid street performer outside the studio gates. A few years later, he was unceremoniously kicked off the property altogether due to his increasingly erratic behavior. Banished from the studio that had been his home for over forty years, Kappowitz disappeared into the Hollywood Hills. Koodles the Clown vanished along with him, all but forgotten by his once adoring fans.
For decades, his presence in the backlot remained unnoticed despite a heavy decline in the studio's wildlife population and the occasional disappearance of studio tour guides. But such incidents were chalked up to the dramatic changes that accompanied the expanding studio and the transient nature of seasonal employees.
Then, in the summer of 2016, Kappowitz suddenly emerged from his long seclusion and Hollywood Harry was born. As the strange summer of 2016 wore on, Hollywood Harry became more brazen, no longer content to hide in the shadows of the backlot. As the Internet speculation reached a fever pitch, some were inspired to seek him out, to find and document the phantom clown. That's when the real nightmare began.
As it turns out, these so-called "clown hunters" found out the hard way that he was not alone. He employed dozens of other fired and disenfranchised circus performers and clowns to join him in his crusade to get back at the studio that fired them.
In 2018, Hollywood Harry returned to tell his own Deadtime Storiez: Who Let The Dogz Out?, Killbillyz Inn, The Scarecrowz Revenge, Clownz on a Plane and The Nightmarez.
In 2022, Hollywood Harry returned to celebrate his Happy Harry Halloween.
Personality[]
Harold Kappowitz used to be a funny, loving, and playful clown who entertained families and children alike. However, as the world began to portray clowns in a negative light, he became very angry and resentful. His mental instability worsened when he was kicked off Universal Studios and retreated into the Hollywood Hills and the Universal Studios backlot. He's now fully embraced what the world views clowns as: a monster that kidnaps children and kills people and animals.
In 2018, he develops a Crypt Keeper-like personality when he introduces his Deadtime Storiez.
Appearance[]
Without the makeup and costume, Harold Kappowitz is a middle-aged man with dark hair.
As Koodles the Clown A.K.A Hollywood Harry, he wears a red coat with badges on it, a yellow shirt with blue polka dots, a blue bow tie, baggy blue and red striped pants with matching suspenders, red and white polka-dotted socks, laced red and white boots, a bald cap with blue tufts of hair, white makeup, and a painted red nose, lips and eye markings. He is occasionally seen carrying balloons.
Appearances at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood[]
- Eli Roth Presents: Terror Tram (2016)
- Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz (2018)
- Terror Tram (2022)
- Universal Studios Hollywood Sign (2022) (Photo Op)
Quotes[]
- "Hello Boys and Girls! It’s your old pal Koodles the Clown! Did ya miss me? I said, DID YOU MISS ME?! Golly gosh I sure missed you! Have you been good little boys and girls while I was gone? You know Koodles knows when you’ve been good or bad doesn’t he? Yes he does! Yes he does! Because I have my “magic eye” that sees EVERYTHING! Oh no! Oh no! OH NO! NO, NO, NO, NO! There are some naughty boys and girls who are up way past their bedtime! What are we going to do boys and girls? I know! maybe we should read them a bedtime story to make their sleepy peepers go shutty shut! It’s all about a magical ride we’re going to take to Koodles' special place!" - Opening Narration from Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz Terror Tram
- “Oh what will you find when you get off the tram? Some naughty bad doggies, with big saws in their hands! Mean Pitbulls and Bulldogs, you’ll scream and you’ll shout! And be sorry for asking, “Who let the Dogz Out?” - Introduction to Who let the Dogz Out? scene from Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz Terror Tram
- “Next stop, are some friends who you just have to meet! Cannibal animals with a taste for sweet meat! They’ll scare you so bad you’ll jump out of your skin! You’ll check in but not out of the Killbillyz Inn - Introduction to the Killbillyz Inn scene from Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz Terror Tram
- “Then up, up to the tippity top! Where some scarecrowz are planting a frightful new crop! Planting dead people, they give off quite a stench! It’s frightfully delightful, The Scarecrowz Revenge!” - Introduction to the Scarecrowz Revenge scene from Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz Terror Tram
- “To fly through the sky is the greatest of feats! Except when bad clownies just won’t stay in their seats! They caused such a rumpus, it burst into flames! It’s a real bad idea to let Clownz on a Plane!” - Introduction to the Clownz On A Plane scene from Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz Terror Tram
- “And last my dear children, the best scare of all! You will shiver and quiver, be shocked and appalled! It’s dreadfully dreadful, I hope you’re afraid! Of my terrible factory where Nightmarez are made!” - Introduction to the Nightmarez scene from Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz Terror Tram
- “And I’ll be there too Boys and Girls! Waiting for you…IN THE DARK!” - Farewell from Hollywood Harry's: Dreadtime Storyz Terror Tram
Pictures[]
.jpeg "Hollywood Harry (Scary Version).jpeg (97 KB)")
_Halloween_Horror_Nights_-_Hollywood_-_Photos(27).jpg "Screenshot 2020-01-15 (1) Halloween Horror Nights - Hollywood - Photos(27).jpg (301 KB)")
Trivia[]
- When he was a mascot and TV show performer, Koodles seems to draw on elements from other famous clowns such as Bozo, Clarabell, and Ronald McDonald.
- He also seems similar to John Wayne Gacy when he was performing at charities as Pogo the Clown in that he's mentally unstable ever since being fired and kicked off the property.
- Presently, Hollywood Harry draws similarities to The Joker and Pennywise the Dancing Clown in that he's fully embraced the nightmare fuel that clowns have become in modern media. And like It, he can be seen carrying balloons.
- The story of Hollywood Harry is an obvious reference to the "evil clown sightings" that were reported around the world in 2016.
| Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood 2016 |
|---|
| Characters: Hollywood Harry |
| Haunted Mazes: American Horror Story • The Exorcist • The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Blood Brothers • Freddy vs. Jason • Halloween: Hell Comes To Haddonfield • Krampus • The Walking Dead Attraction |
| Terror Tram: Eli Roth Presents: Terror Tram |
| Scarezone: The Purge: Election Year |
| Show: Jabbawockeez |
| Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood 2022 |
|---|
| Characters: The Mummy • The Wolfman • Count Dracula • Michael Myers • Blissfield Butcher • The Grabber • The Weeknd • Killer Klowns • Kingcrow • La Llorona • Lillian Deville •Maxie Deville • Mildred Van Horn • Hollywood Harry • Edgar Allan Crow |
| Haunted Houses: Universal Monsters: Legends Collide • Halloween • The Horrors of Blumhouse • The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare • Scarecrow the Reaping • La Llorona: The Weeping Woman • Universal Horror Hotel • Killer Klowns From Outer Space |
| Terror Tram: Terror Tram |
| Scarezones: El Pueblo Del Terror • Sideshow Slaughterhouse • Clownsawz |
| Unofficial Scarezone: Pumpkinsawz |
| Show: Jabbawockeez |
| Other Attractions: Haunted Forest • Dia De Los Muertos Plaza • The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare Bar • Death Eaters Encounter • Halloween Horror Nights NFT Scavenger Hunt • Chucky's Good Guys Toy Box Photo Op • Every Day is Halloween Store • R.I.P Tour Lounge |