IMAGES | Presto the Magic Clown left his impact on Louisville and WDRB in the 1970s
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This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown talking with Hunny Bunny and J Fred Frog, two puppets used by William Dopp, who played Presto the Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s. Hunny Bunny and her companion, J Fred Frog, were voiced by Dopp's wife, June.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp dressed as Presto the Magic Clown on the set of Funsville, a children's variety show that ran weekdays on WDRB-TV in the 1970s, next to then-General Manager Elmer Jaspan and a cake celebrating the station's third year on the air.Â
Pictured: this undated photo shows grown-ups and children alike watching William Dopp performing as Presto the Magic Clown near WAKY Radio in Louisville, Ky. Presto hosted "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
Pictured: this undated photo shows grown-ups and children watching William Dopp performing as Presto the Magic Clown in downtown Louisville, Ky. Presto hosted "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
This undated photo taken by the Louisville Fire Department, shows William Dopp as Presto the Magic Clown, posing for a photo for a political event in downtown Louisville. Presto hosted "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp and his wife, June. Donning a clown suite and makeup, Dopp transformed into Presto the Magic Clown to host "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV. June voiced two characters on the show -- J Fred Frog and Hunny Bunny.Â
Pictured:Â Presto the Magic Clown poses for a portrait. William Dopp, who played Presto, was a fixture on WDRB-TV's Funsville in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown talking with Hunny Bunny and J Fred Frog, two puppets used by William Dopp, who played Presto the Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s. Hunny Bunny and her companion, J Fred Frog, were voiced by Dopp's wife, June.Â
Pictured: Presto the Magic Clown at a public appearance with Col. Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. William Dopp, who played Presto, was a fixture on WDRB-TV in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp, who played Presto the Magic Clown on WDRB-TV's Funsville in the 1970s.Â
Pictured:Â Presto the Magic Clown poses for a portrait. William Dopp, who played Presto, was a fixture on WDRB-TV's Funsville in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp, who played Presto the Magic Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s, gesturing toward a plan to evacuate a burning building.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp, who played Presto the Magic Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s, gesturing toward a plan to evacuate a burning building.Â
Pictured:Â Presto the Magic Clown. William Dopp, who played Presto, was a fixture on WDRB-TV's Funsville in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp, who played Presto the Magic Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s, posing with a fireman's axe.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp, who played Presto the Magic Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s, posing with a fire extinguisher.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp, who played Presto the Magic Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s, poses with guests on Funsville, which was shown every weekday at 3 p.m.
This undated photo shows J Fred Frog, one of the puppets used by William Dopp, who played Presto the Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s. J Fred Frog and his companion, Hunny Bunny, were voiced by Dopp's wife, June.Â
This undated photo shows J Fred Frog, one of the puppets used by William Dopp, who played Presto the Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s. J Fred Frog and his companion, Hunny Bunny, were voiced by Dopp's wife, June.Â
Pictured: David Conover, an avid fan of Presto the Magic Clown that ran on "Funsville" every weekday on WDRB-TV in the 70s, unboxes his replica of J Fred Frog, a hand puppet used on the show.Â
Pictured: David Conover, an avid fan of Presto the Magic Clown that ran on "Funsville" every weekday on WDRB-TV in the 70s, unboxes his replica of J Fred Frog, a hand puppet used on the show.Â
This undated photo shows Hunny bunny, one of the puppets used by William Dopp, who played Presto the Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s. Hunny Bunny and her companion, J Fred Frog, were voiced by Dopp's wife, June.Â
This undated photo shows "Tiger the Dog," who appeared on a children's variety show called Funsville with Presto the Magic Clown on WDRB-TV in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp applying makeup to become Presto the Magic Clown. Dopp appeared as the clown weekdays on "Funsville" on WDRB-TV in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp applying makeup to become Presto the Magic Clown. Dopp appeared as the clown weekdays on "Funsville" on WDRB-TV in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp performing a card trick as Orenda the Great before coming to work in Louisville, Ky. Dopp appeared as Presto the Magic Clown on a children's variety show called "Funsville" on WDRB-TV in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown waving at the camera. William Dopp, who played Presto, was a fixture on WDRB-TV's Funsville in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown looking into the camera. William Dopp, who played Presto, was a fixture on WDRB-TV's Funsville in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp dressed as Presto the Magic Clown on the set of Funsville, a children's variety show that ran weekdays on WDRB-TV in the 1970s, next to then-General Manager Elmer Jaspan and a cake celebrating the station's third year on the air.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp dressed as Presto the Magic Clown, sweeping streets with then-Mayor Harvey Sloane near the Seelbach Hotel in downtown Louisville.Â
This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown stands near then-Mayor Harvey Sloane as he greets his fans in downtown Louisville, Ky. Presto, played by William Dopp, was shown on a children's variety show on WDRB-TV every weekday during the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown speaking to a guest from the Louisville Fire Department on the set of "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown posing with a guest on the set of "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp performing as Presto the Magic Clown near WAKY Radio in Louisville, Ky. Presto hosted "Funsville," a children's variety show, that aired every weekday on WDRB-TV in the 1970s.Â
This undated photo shows Presto the Magic Clown wearing a Louisville Fire Department helmet on the set of "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
Pictured: this undated photo shows grown-ups and children alike watching William Dopp performing as Presto the Magic Clown near WAKY Radio in Louisville, Ky. Presto hosted "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
Pictured: this undated photo shows grown-ups and children watching William Dopp performing as Presto the Magic Clown in downtown Louisville, Ky. Presto hosted "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
This undated photo taken by the Louisville Fire Department, shows William Dopp as Presto the Magic Clown, posing for a photo for a political event in downtown Louisville. Presto hosted "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV.Â
This undated photo shows William Dopp and his wife, June. Donning a clown suite and makeup, Dopp transformed into Presto the Magic Clown to host "Funsville," a children's variety show that ran every weekday afternoon during the 1970s on WDRB-TV. June voiced two characters on the show -- J Fred Frog and Hunny Bunny.Â
As featured on
Presto was Louisville's very own mix of Bozo and Mr. Rogers. Presto had side kicks, and magic tricks.
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