Taking his job seriously

A Clown's Prayer

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Aut Mori Grotto Clown Slim Jim also known as Jim Giles of Boardman recites "The Clown's Prayer".

Slim Jim

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Slim Jim also known as Jim Giles of Boardman has been an Aut Mori Grotto Clown for 40 years.

Slim Jim

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"Slim Jim" also known as Jim Giles of Boardman has been an Aut Mori Grotto Clown for 40 years.

‘Slim Jim’ will delight circus patrons of all ages

By WILLIAM D. LEWIS

VINDICATOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

For Jim Giles it’s always been about making people smile. Whether the audience is toddlers or senior citizens, it makes little difference to the Youngstown man who has been clowning around for 40 years.

Known in the clown world as “Slim Jim,” Giles is the secretary of the local Aut Mori Grotto Clown unit. During his time with the Grotto Clowns, Giles has entertained at hundreds of events, ranging from parades to circus shows.

Giles, along with a couple dozen other Grotto clowns, will be at the Covelli Centre, the former Chevrolet Centre, for the Circus Aut Mori, which opens tonight.

The clowns perform skits between circus acts and mingle with the audience. The clown unit has a long tradition of raising money for charities, including dental care for special needs children.

When he joined the Grotto clowns in 1969, people told Giles he had the gift of being able to make people laugh without clown makeup on. “I never realized it but I was probably a clown all my life. I was a skinny kid in school and didn’t want people picking on me, so I had to clown around,” the retired steelworker said.

Joking with people in lines at stores or doctors’ waiting rooms is a habit Giles has developed. “I never stop clowning and probably clown more when I’m not in makeup than when I am,” the Lemoyne Avenue man said.

A red nose, exagerated eyebrows and a brightly colored wig are among the tools Giles uses to become “Slim Jim.” Giles said every clown has a unique way of applying makeup. The transformation of Jim Giles to Slim Jim takes about 30 minutes, a ritual he’s done thousands of times.

As the layers of grease makeup go on and his clown face takes shape, “Slim Jim’s” humor starts to come through in quips and witty one liners.

The Circus Aut Mori, also known as “The Circus with a Purpose,” was featured at the Struthers Fieldhouse yearly from 1964 through 2006. Giles recalls his many performances there, including morning shows for area schoolchildren.

This year Circus Aut Mori is partnering with the Royal Hanneford Circus for a first-time appearance at the center. Aut Mori will provide the clowns, and Hanneford will provide the other acts.

Giles, whose energy and wit belie his 78 years, wears a button on his clown suit that says “Hugs Not Drugs.” He still looks for the smiles.

“I just love to make people smile. If they’re not smiling, I’ll tell them you would be so beautiful if you just smile.”