EVENTS
Rodeo Clown and Bullfighter
Bull Rider
Calf Roper
Steer Wrestler
Among the most colorful clowns and athletic bullfighters in rodeo, Junior Meek was born at Cleburne, Texas, in 1936. He fought his first bulls (with absolutely no experience) at an amateur rodeo in Walker, Louisiana, in exchange for the entry fees to steer wrestle and bull ride. He made his professional RCA debut at Franklinton, Louisiana, in 1954.
During a 20 year career as a rodeo bullfighter, Junior Meek was one of the most popular and highest paid clowns in the business. He was the first to jump over a raging bull in the arena, and he sometimes performed cartwheels on their backs. Meek worked with many of the top clowns of his era, including Slim Pickens, Buck LeGrand, Kajun Kid and Bobby and Gene Clark. He and George Doak became well known for their long partnership as bullfighters. Meek also contended in several events, and he was one of only three men to appear in the National Finals as both a clown and a competitor. He finished 10th in the world in steer wrestling in 1966.
Junior Meek retired from rodeo competition and bullfighting in 1974. Thereafter he attended many rodeos and clown reunions, and he often donned his clown outfit to entertain athletes at the Texas Special Olympics. He and George Doak were inducted — as a team — into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in 2000. Junior passed away in 2006.
