In Memory Of Lecile Harris (1936-2020)

Celebrated rodeo clown and four-time PRCA Clown of the Year Lecile Harris has passed away at the age of 83.

He was born on November 6, 1936 in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, and entered into the rodeo world in high school as a bull rider and fill-in bullfighter. In college at the University of Tennessee-Martin, he played football, but did not give up rodeo.

From there, he developed into the skilled performer that wowed rodeo crowds across the nation, so much so that he became known as the “Dean of Rodeo Clowns/Bullfighters,” even boasting 100 rodeos a year during the height of his career. For his signature closing, he danced with one of the bucking stock bulls, for which he earned the nickname “The Original Bulldancer”.

Aside from his rodeo efforts, Harris wowed television audiences with five years on Hee Haw. He also spent some time on the big screen; you can spot Harris in Walking Tall: The Final Chapter, The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James and W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings.

Lecile Harris is a member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 2007.

Several Western organizations and personalities shared their sorrow and appreciation for Lecile Harris over the past few days, including The Cowboy Channel, Miss Rodeo Utah, Harper Morgan Rodeo, Tanner Byrne, and Brianna Bigbee (@thebleacherbabe).

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8hIIKpp1O8/

Legends never leave if we keep their memory alive. R.I.P. Lecile Harris.

Born November 6, 1936 in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi
Died February 12, 2020 in Jackson, Mississippi