In the midst of this season of joy we are saddened by the death of an individual who spent more than eight decades giving others what, besides unselfish love, is probably the greatest gift anyone can give: Laughter.
Michael Polakovs, 86, much better known as Coco the Clown, died Sunday night in the intensive care unit at King’s Daughters Medical Center of complications from a stroke.
Polakovs, who lived in southern Boyd County, was a member of the Clown Hall of Fame. Born in 1923 into a circus family — his father, Nicolai Polakovs, was known as the King of Clowns in Europe and was decorated by the Queen of England for his achievements — joined his first circus when he was 14. Polakovs was born in Latvia and grew up in England.
Polakovs was brought to America by the Mills Brothers Circus and joined Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1961. He performed center ring for five seasons before becoming the circus’ advance clown — a position that involved going to towns where the circus would be performing to promote it in the local media. That job landed him on numerous radio and television programs.
But Polakovs was perhaps best known for designing the outfit and makeup for Ronald McDonald in 1966. He also appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as Ronald McDonald and appeared in the first eight TV commercials that featured the world’s most famous clown.
Polakovs also was instrumental in the founding of the Ringling Brothers Clown College. During a 40-year reunion a year ago, the college presented Polakovs with a lifetime achievement award voted on by its alumni.
While Polakovs had not been part of a traveling circus for many years, he continued to transform himself into Coco for numerous occasions throughout the region until just a few years ago. He loved being Coco, and few clowns were any better than Polakovs. Like the world’s best clowns, he had the ability to make both small children and adults laugh at his antics. Many of his routines continue to be used today by clowns throughout the world.
While Coco has taken his final bow on the world’s stage, his two sons are following in the family tradition by becoming clowns just like their grandfather and father. His eldest son Graham, is known as Coco Jr., while his younger son, David, who frequently performed with his dad while still a student at Boyd County High School, is known as Coconut. Polakovs is also survived by his wife and a daughter, Michelle, who said her father went the way he “would have wanted — quick and pain-free with family around.”
Much can be said about the long life of Michael Polakovs, but there is little question that he would most like to remembered by one phrase: He made us laugh. That’s quite a legacy to leave behind.
