Celebs Who Are Terrified Of Clowns

Coulrophobia, or the irrational fear of clowns, is a phenomenon that affects a surprising number of adults, causing anxiety and panic at the sight of greasepaint and red noses. While these entertainers are intended to bring joy and laughter, their exaggerated features and permanent smiles can often have the opposite effect. Even the most successful and composed celebrities are not immune to this specific phobia, with some going to great lengths to avoid them. The following list explores the famous figures who have publicly admitted to being genuinely afraid of circus clowns.

Johnny Depp

Despite playing eccentric and heavily made-up characters like the Mad Hatter and Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp suffers from a severe fear of clowns. The actor has stated in interviews that his phobia stems from the painted faces and fake smiles, which he believes hide a potential for real evil. He famously noted that it is impossible to tell if a clown is happy or about to bite your face off due to the artificial expression. To combat this fear, Depp reportedly surrounded himself with clown paraphernalia in an attempt to desensitize himself to their presence.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson’s intense fear of clowns was famously incorporated into the plot of ‘American Horror Story: Cult’, a season that utilized her real-life phobias for her character. The actress has been open about her coulrophobia, which made filming the horror anthology series particularly traumatic for her. Television host Ellen DeGeneres frequently exploited this fear during Paulson’s guest appearances, often having clowns jump out to scare her on live television. Paulson has admitted that she finds the creatures entirely terrifying and struggles to maintain her composure when they are near.

Daniel Radcliffe

The ‘Harry Potter’ star may have faced Lord Voldemort on screen, but in real life, Daniel Radcliffe is far more intimidated by circus clowns. He has publicly admitted to finding them creepy and terrifying, a sentiment shared by many who grew up viewing them as sinister rather than funny. Radcliffe has noted that there is something inherently disturbing about the unknown figure lurking behind the face paint. His fear is a classic case of coulrophobia, where the ambiguity of the clown’s true emotion creates a sense of threat.

Anthony Bourdain

The late celebrity chef and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain was known for his adventurous spirit, yet he harbored a deep-seated hatred and fear of clowns. He frequently listed them among his greatest fears, describing them as “sinister figures” who disguised homicidal intentions under thick makeup. Bourdain once colorfully remarked that he always suspected their crawl spaces were filled with “Cub Scout parts.” His disdain for the entertainers was well-documented throughout his career, often serving as a humorous but genuine point of contention in his writings.

Tim Curry

In a twist of irony, Tim Curry, the actor who terrified a generation as Pennywise in the miniseries ‘It’ (1990), is actually afraid of clowns himself. Curry revealed that he has had a lifelong fear of them, which made his iconic performance even more impressive. During the filming of the Stephen King adaptation, he reportedly requested that no mirrors be present on set while he was in character so he wouldn’t have to see his own reflection. His ability to channel his own genuine discomfort into the character helped create one of the most frightening horror villains in history.

Carol Burnett

Legendary comedienne Carol Burnett has spent her life making people laugh, but she draws the line at clowns, whom she finds deeply frightening. She has spoken publicly about her coulrophobia, admitting that the sight of them causes her significant distress rather than amusement. Burnett’s fear highlights that the phobia is not limited to a specific generation or type of performer, affecting even those deeply entrenched in the world of comedy. Her admission has helped normalize the fear for many fans who find the circus icons similarly unsettling.

Do you have a phobia of clowns or any other common fears? Share your thoughts in the comments.