Get Over Your Fear With These 5 Completely Harmless Clowns

The Simpsons' Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofski, better known as Krusty, is guilty of a lot of things — drinking, smoking, laziness, irresponsibility, and a general disdain for children — but he's not really scary.

In Living Color's Homey — expertly played by Damon Wayans — isn't totally benign (he is technically an ex-con, and he does have a habit of hitting people over the head with a sock full of pennies), but he isn't going to haunt your dreams, either. Do keep in mind, though: he doesn't play that.

The character of Fizbo the clown on Modern Family was inspired by the fact that actor Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cam on the show, actually used to perform as a clown. "Fizbo" was a nickname that his dad gave him, and the garb that Stonestreet wears on the show is his real-life clown clothes. Now that you know the sweet and lovable Stonestreet is underneath all that makeup, how can you be afraid?

It can be argued that a giant clown isn't the best way to coax children into eating fast food, which is why we're on the fence about Ronald McDonald's fear-inducing factor. He comes across as a really fun, playful dude, but there's something about those eyebrows that we aren't completely sold on — even after all these years.