Who was Clem Kadiddlehopper?

Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton (July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997) was an entertainer from Vincennes, Indiana. Called "Red" because of his bright red hair. He started in Vaudeville in the late 1920's. He did Vaudeville, movies, radio, and most memorable, on TV. He was on TV from 1951 to 1970. During his time on TV, Skelton had time to develop many comical characters. The character of Clem Kadiddlehopper was based on a Vincennes neighbor named Carl Hopper, who was hard of hearing. He also created Freddy the Freeloader, Willie Lump-Lump, J. Newton Numbskull, George Appleby and Junior, to name but a few. He also did a segment called the "Silent Spot" which was done in pantomime.

Skelton died on September 17, 1997, at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 84, after what was described as "a long, undisclosed illness".

"Good night and God bless."