Rick Busby calls himself the proverbial clown: One who laughs on the outside while often crying on the inside.

The reason for both emotions, he said, is his love -- and concern -- for children.

Mr. Busby said he loves children and works hard to make them smile. He also is particularly concerned about keeping little ones safe, he said.

He has worked as a professional clown for more than 42 years. More and more, he said, he is asked, "Can we trust you?" by parents when they inquire about booking Smacky the Clown for their youngsters' birthday parties.

He said it is a sign of the times.

While he never aspired to be a clown while growing up in Mount Oliver, Mr. Busby was captivated by iconic comedians such as Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello.

"No matter what they did, you laughed," he said.

His must-see program on the family's black-and-white television in the 1950s was "The Howdy Doody Show," especially to see Clarabell the Clown, who did not talk but honked a horn and sprayed seltzer water at the audience.

Then he was introduced to the gentler side of clowning by Freddie the Freeloader, as portrayed by comedian Red Skelton.

"Clarabell was mean, while Freddie was kind," he said of the good-natured hobo of the television series.

In 1955, Mr. Busby joined the U.S. Navy -- he remained in the Naval Reserves until 1974 -- and after his discharge in 1957, returned to Mount Oliver and married. While working at Kaufmann's department store, he also was an amateur boxer and wrestled professionally as Buz Dixon.

In 1965, he landed a job at Lockhart Iron and Steel. After operating a crane for hours on hot summer afternoons, he frequently cooled off at the Carrick swimming pool.

One day in 1968, while on the diving board entertaining friends with a mix of jokes and dives, he caught the attention of the head lifeguard, who was planning a water show. In need of a clown, he asked Mr. Busby to fill the role.

"You'll draw a crowd every time," he promised Mr. Busby.

For his first clown appearance, Mr. Busby wore mismatched clothing and rubbed burned cork on his face so he resembled a hobo.

For a name, he chose "Smacky," a nickname given to him years earlier by his brother in reference to Mr. Busby's boxing and wrestling prowess.

For the next 12 years, Smacky the Hobo entertained as a volunteer with the Tri-Rivers Clowns, which raised money for hospitalized children.

When his division at Lockhart folded, leaving him jobless, he turned professional as Smacky the Clown.

In 1992, friend Roberta Lukas, whom Mr. Busby met at St. Joseph Church in Mount Oliver, began accompanying him to clowning gigs. Eventually she joined the act as LadiClown.

"I tell them, 'They get two for the price of one,' " said Ms. Lukas, 65, of Mount Oliver.

Today, the two perform for children, senior citizens, hospitalized veterans and others about four times a month, often for no pay. In addition to jokes and gags, his show includes face painting, balloon crafting, games and songs.

His said his most unusual assignment was at a South Side funeral home where his appearance in costume was requested by the family of the deceased, who was a fan.

Mr. Busby got a thank-you note from the family that said: "Smacky, you touched all our hearts just like you touched my mom's. She really got a kick out of you."

But his typical venue for clowning around is within walking distance, say, at McDonald's restaurant in Mount Oliver, where he talks to his invisible dog, King, while fashioning dog balloons for wide-eyed admirers. Off the clock, the only clue to his clown identity is a Smacky the Clown label on his shirt and hat and a "I refuse to grow up" button he always wears.

"Smacky does not need a costume," Ms. Lukas said. "He is like a magnet who draws the people to him."

To book the clowns: 412-882-6300 or www.talentartist.com.

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