Lecile Harris was a renowned rodeo clown who entertained millions of fans with his humor and courage. He was also a TV star who appeared on shows like “Hee Haw” and “Walker, Texas Ranger”. He died at the age of 83 on February 12, 2020, after performing at the Dixie National Rodeo and Livestock Show in Jackson, Mississippi. His death was a shock to the rodeo world and a loss to the sport he loved.
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How Lecile Harris Became a Rodeo Clown
Lecile Harris was born in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, on November 6, 1936. He grew up in a farming family and developed a passion for rodeo at an early age. He started riding bulls and broncs when he was 15, and soon became a professional bull rider and bullfighter. He also learned how to be a rodeo clown, which involved distracting the bulls from the fallen riders and making the audience laugh with jokes and stunts.
Harris told Tour Collierville magazine that he became a rodeo clown by accident. He said that one day, he was fighting bulls and wearing a pair of baggy pants that his mother had made for him. The pants got caught on a bull’s horn and ripped off, leaving him in his underwear. The crowd roared with laughter, and Harris realized that he had a talent for comedy. He decided to pursue a career as a rodeo clown, and never looked back.
Harris worked as a rodeo clown and bullfighter for more than 60 years, traveling across the country and around the world. He performed at hundreds of rodeos, including the National Finals Rodeo, the Calgary Stampede, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days. He also appeared on TV shows such as “Hee Haw”, where he was a regular cast member for five years, “Walker, Texas Ranger”, “The Dukes of Hazzard”, and “Nashville Now”. He also starred in several movies, such as “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James”, “W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings”, and “The Great Lester Boggs”.
What Lecile Harris Did for the Sport of Rodeo
Lecile Harris was not only a rodeo clown, but also a pioneer and a leader in the sport of rodeo. He helped to revolutionize the role of the rodeo clown, by introducing innovations such as the barrel, the remote-controlled bull, and the exploding outhouse. He also created memorable characters, such as the old lady, the gorilla, and the football player. He was known for his witty and spontaneous humor, as well as his fearless and skillful bullfighting.
Harris was also a mentor and a friend to many rodeo performers, especially the bull riders. He risked his life to protect them from the bulls, and he supported them with his advice and encouragement. He was respected and admired by his peers and his fans, who appreciated his dedication and professionalism. He was also a generous and charitable person, who donated his time and money to various causes, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
Harris received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to the sport of rodeo. He was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2007, the Mississippi Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in 2020. He also won the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Clown of the Year award four times, in 1992, 1994, 1995, and 1996. He was also the recipient of the PRCA Lifetime Achievement Award, the PRCA Legend of ProRodeo Award, and the PRCA Man of the Year Award.
How Lecile Harris Died and How He Is Remembered
Lecile Harris died on February 12, 2020, after performing at the Dixie National Rodeo and Livestock Show in Jackson, Mississippi. He was 83 years old. According to Heavy.com, he had been suffering from the flu and felt lightheaded after his performance. He went to his hotel room to rest, and was found unresponsive the next morning. The cause of death was not immediately known, but it was believed to be natural.
Harris’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from the rodeo community and beyond. He was praised as a legend, a pioneer, a hero, and a gentleman, who had a lasting impact on the sport he loved and the people he touched. He was also remembered as a humble, kind, and funny person, who treated everyone with respect and dignity.
Harris is survived by his wife, Sandy, his daughter, Mitzi, his son, Robert, his stepdaughter, Leigh Ann, his stepson, Andy, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his legacy, which lives on through his family, his friends, his fans, and his sport.
Lecile Harris cause of death was a sad event, but his life was a celebration of rodeo and laughter. He was a rodeo clown legend, who left behind a legacy of humor and courage. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
