Clowns make people laugh. That is their job. They may be feeling anything but happy themselves but for the duration of their performance they will do their best to entertain people and make them laugh – their painted face, a device to mask from view whatever pain they may be feeling inside.
Comics do not have a painted face to hide behind but their job is the same – to make people laugh, regardless of any personal heartache they may be experiencing (“the show must go on”)
Anthony Griffith talks openly of the time he experienced this dichotomy between personal and public life
“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times“
Sheez
