Career
He played for numerous circuses, most notably with Cole Brothers Clyde Beatty Circus (now known simply as Cole Bros Circus) and the Shrine Circus. He also appeared on the Editor Sullivan Show.
Chester Eugene Barnett was born October 23, 1903 in Tenaha, Texas.
He had four siblings, Herman, William, Hazel and John Winifred. Longing to leave his small town, Chester joined the circus and worked as a caretaker for the elephants.
During this time he developed his clowning techniques, eventually joining clown alley as a white faced clown. He also began a performing partnership with fellow clown, Art Lind.
The nickname "Bobo" came from his days as a precocious child.
He would often run around his house with a paper bag on his head with two holes cut out for eyes, calling himself "Bobo", which also happened to be the name of a town next to Tenaha.
