Howard Buten, aka the clown “Buffo”, has died at the age of 74

The American artist, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, died “peacefully in his sleep” in Plomodiern (Finistère), where he lived.

The clown Howard Buten, known for his character “Buffo”, and author of around ten books including When I was five I killed myselfdied Friday January 3 at the age of 74, we learned, Saturday January 4, from his partner and translator, confirming information from the Point. Born in Detroit in the United States in 1950, the American artist, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, died “peacefully in his sleep” in Plomodiern (Finistère), where he lived, said Jacqueline Huet, who translated some of his books.

With his white face, his red nose, his mittens and his long black shoes, the clown “Buffo” was recognizable among thousands. Under this disguise, Howard Buten always provoked the same emotion and laughter from the public, with silent sketches, little dance tricks, clumsy gestures and bewildered facial expressions.

Howard Buten, from a Lithuanian family who had emigrated to the United States, settled in France in 1981 after the release of his first book, Burt in English, translated and published in French under the title When I was five I killed myselfa bestseller. In 1986, he had also become a doctor in clinical psychology and devoted himself to autistic children in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) in the Adam Shelton Center, which he had created in 1996. Among his other books, some also address this subject, such as There’s someone in there: autism or These children who do not come from another planet: autistic people. In 1998, he won a Molière for best one-man show for a show with cellist Claire Oppert. He was made a Knight of Arts and Letters in 1991. “A tribute will be paid to him later in Paris”declared his companion.