Gilyan Francesco

(1919-2001) Circus clown and actor. Born Gilyan Francesco in Wellington, in the Cape, (ostensibly 1919, but there is some doubt about his age). He made his stage debut aged six. Over the years worked on stage, variety, circus and pantomime. Performed in Lock Up Your Daughters in 19**. Best known to decades of children however as Francesco the Clown - the stage name he used when he performed for various circuses (Pagel's Circus, Boswell's Circus and finally the Boswell-Wilkie Circus) as well as in his own presentations for childrens's events, parties etc.

He was also a director of the company Gilyan Francesco’s Playmakers (Pty) Ltd, with H.Dut