Achile Chatouilleu – The Clown Who (Kind Of) Lived Forever

Decaying clown
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Photo: Keoni Cabral
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Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, as we delve into the captivating story of Achile Chatouilleu, a clown whose legacy continues to intrigue and fascinate even in death. While it’s not uncommon for a body to be embalmed after death, it’s another story when the body of a clown is embalmed and put on display. The man behind the face paint was none other than Achile Chatouilleu, The French Tickler.

Early Life and Death:


Born in 1886 into a family of circus performers in America, Chatouilleu embraced his family’s calling and embarked on a career as a clown. Although not hailed as the finest entertainer, his passion for clowning knew no bounds. Today, we unravel the remarkable tale of Achile Chatouilleu, the clown who seemingly lived forever.

Achile Chatouilleu, whose last name translates to “The French Tickler,” embraced his role as a clown with unyielding enthusiasm. Despite not being the most skilled performer, his love for his craft shone through. There was little information about his personal life. According to his death certificate, he was supposedly born to Scottish immigrants. According to Salon.com, it’s rumored that he has living descendants, who wished to remain anonymous. Tragically, Chatouilleu’s life was cut short in 1912 due to kidney inflammation. However, his departure from this world was anything but ordinary.



The Final Wishes of Achile Chatouilleu:


Supposedly In his will, Achile Chatouilleu made some extraordinary demands that reflected his deep attachment to his clown identity. Firstly, he desired to be dressed in his full clown attire, specifically the costume he wore during the 1906 Shriner parade in Detroit, Michigan. Additionally, he insisted on having his face painted in full clown makeup even after death—a testament to his unwavering dedication to his craft.



Preserving The Clown’s Legacy:


Perhaps the most extraordinary request Chatouilleu made was to have his body preserved in a glass coffin, allowing people to visit him long after he had departed this world. It is speculated that his body may have been embalmed using substances like mercury and arsenic for preservation purposes. The toxic nature of these chemicals made it impossible to open the coffin and examine the body.



A Circus Mystery:


The fate of Chatouilleu’s preserved body has been a subject of debate and mystery. One story suggests that when no one claimed the body from the mortician, a circus purchased it and propagated a tale around it. Another account places his preserved remains at the California Institute of Abnormalarts, though the institution closed its doors in 2022. Rumors persist that Ripley’s Believe It or Not! currently possesses the enigmatic clown’s body, but this claim remains unverified. Perhaps the Clown Motel could claim him.

Achile Chatouilleu’s peculiar requests and the enigma surrounding his preserved body have sparked both fascination and controversy. Some view his actions as a testament to his unwavering dedication to the clowning profession. Others perceive it as eerie and unsettling. The debate surrounding the legitimacy of his preserved body and its current whereabouts adds to the mystique of his story.



Conclusion:


Achile Chatouilleu’s unconventional final wishes and the mystery surrounding his preserved body continue to captivate the imaginations of those who have come across his story. Through his unusual requests, he aimed to eternally embody the spirit of a clown, even in death. Whether you find it intriguing or eerie, there’s no denying the enduring allure of Achile Chatouilleu, the clown who lived forever… kind of.

 

Author: Selena

Selena Flores is a Paranormal fan who worked with many Paranormal groups in her lifetime to not only give guided tours of West Texas’ most haunted places, but to provide educational experiences about the many historical sites and figures involved in the haunted locations. Selena has expanded her own experiences with “Haunted tourism” as recently as 2021 when she visited Hollywood Forever cemetery and paid respect to some of its famous residents such as Judy Garland, Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B Demile and Johnny Ramone.

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