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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2025
Larry Allen Clayman
Larry Allen Clayman, born July 11, 1941, is a third-generation rodeo clown. During his rodeo competition days, he participated in five events. After serving in the Marine Corps for four years, Clayman worked for several rodeo producers during his career including Jim Shoulders, Cotton Rosser and Andy Jauregui. Known for his many acts, especially his various animal routines (the most popular with Toto, the chimpanzee), Clayman was chosen to work the 1973 NFR as a bullfighter.
From 1973 to 1975, Clayman was the first non-Canadian rodeo clown to work the Canadian Finals, and he was chosen as a bullfighter for the inaugural Wrangler Bullfights produced by Jim Sutton.
Clayman also became a stock contractor and produced the Heart of America Championship Rodeo in Springfield, Missouri, from 1977 to 1979, and then produced a weekly PRCA rodeo in Branson, Missouri, from 1978 to 1980.
For 20 years, he announced the Clayman Rodeo, a non-profit rodeo for youngsters, and was known for never missing a single rodeo performance despite injuries.
After traveling to Europe with Buster Ivory for the 1970 Rodeo Far West tour, he had the honor of meeting the Queen of England at the 1974 Calgary Stampede. Today, Clayman lives in Florence, Texas and still works for the betterment of professional rodeo.
Larry Allen Clayman, born July 11, 1941, is a third-generation rodeo clown. During his rodeo competition days, he participated in five events. After serving in the Marine Corps for four years, Clayman worked for several rodeo producers during his career including Jim Shoulders, Cotton Rosser and Andy Jauregui. Known for his many acts, especially his various animal routines (the most popular with Toto, the chimpanzee), Clayman was chosen to work the 1973 NFR as a bullfighter.
From 1973 to 1975, Clayman was the first non-Canadian rodeo clown to work the Canadian Finals, and he was chosen as a bullfighter for the inaugural Wrangler Bullfights produced by Jim Sutton.
Clayman also became a stock contractor and produced the Heart of America Championship Rodeo in Springfield, Missouri, from 1977 to 1979, and then produced a weekly PRCA rodeo in Branson, Missouri, from 1978 to 1980.
For 20 years, he announced the Clayman Rodeo, a non-profit rodeo for youngsters, and was known for never missing a single rodeo performance despite injuries.
After traveling to Europe with Buster Ivory for the 1970 Rodeo Far West tour, he had the honor of meeting the Queen of England at the 1974 Calgary Stampede. Today, Clayman lives in Florence, Texas and still works for the betterment of professional rodeo.
