Fascinating Photographs of Child Actor Ronnie Walken, Later Film Star Christopher Walken, as a Clown in 1955

Before Christopher Walken became a Hollywood legend, he was a child actor known as Ronnie Walken. In 1955, he even performed as a clown in a touring circus when he was around 12 years old. Walken has spoken about his brief stint in the circus, where he worked as an assistant to a lion tamer, sometimes even dressing as a clown. This early experience likely contributed to his unique stage presence and fearless approach to acting.

“My father was one of nine brothers and sisters. Three were priests, three were nuns, and three were bakers. I could have been a baker, but my [mom] had a thing about show business. She was good looking, a little flamboyant. She would have loved to have been a performer, but she was raising a family. I guess I absorbed her ambition.”

As a child, Walken appeared on screen as an extra in numerous anthology series and variety shows during the Golden Age of Television. After appearing in a sketch with Martin and Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour, Walken decided to become an actor. He landed a regular role in the 1953 television show Wonderful John Acton, playing the part of Kevin Acton. During this time, he was credited as Ronnie Walken.

Over the next two years, he appeared frequently on television, and had a thriving career in theater. From 1954 to 1956, Walken and his brother Glenn originated the role of Michael Bauer on the soap opera The Guiding Light. In 1963, he appeared as a character named Chris in an episode of Naked City, starring Paul Burke.

In 1964, he changed his first name to Christopher at the suggestion of Monique van Vooren, who had a nightclub act in which Walken was a dancer. She believed the name suited him better than nickname Ronnie, which he was credited as until then. He prefers to be known as Chris instead of Christopher.