Baboon

America's first TV clown, all slapstick and shameless charm.

Milton Berle, nicknamed 'Mr. Television,' built his entire career on rubber-faced mugging, outrageous costumes, quick-fire improvisation, and relentless crowd-pleasing — the quintessential baboon personality. He thrived as the center of attention, dragging audiences into the spectacle with infectious, boisterous energy, and his Tuesday-night Texaco Star Theatre shows were pure comedic chaos fueled by wit and physical comedy. Behind the laughs he was famously warm and generous to fellow performers, embodying the baboon's affectionate, family-oriented side beneath all the noise.