Actress Lucy Liu is shown painting.

By Darla McCammon and DeeAnna Muraski

This week, we have two personalities who are generations apart, yet in a similar fashion both became famous for acting and performing.

Another similarity between these two people is a secondary, but excellent ability, as an artist. How many of you are familiar with a famous actor who doubled as the hilarious characters Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddie the Freeloader? If you guessed Red Skelton, you are correct.

Born in Vincennes on July 18, 1913, Red Skelton never graduated from high school but went on to prove he had several of the “Seven Kinds of Smart” he could use on his way to success. Skelton began painting and drawing at the young age of five when he traveled with his mother, who worked for the Hagenbach and Wallace Circus as it made its rounds in the Midwest. Skelton taught himself to sketch and draw but he had other talents as well. Skelton grew up and became most well-known for his wonderful comedic ability as he performed on his radio show from 1937 to 1971. He became the host of the wildly popular “Red Skelton Show” on television as well. He also moved to California and appeared in many movies. He won numerous awards.

Perhaps the most gratifying to him were his honorary degrees at both Truman State University and Emerson College and, significantly, his honorary high-school diploma from Vincennes High School. Throughout his life he continued to paint and draw but few knew about his talent in this direction. Skelton loved to draw his clowns and his own acting characters. He also did wonderful self-portraits in addition to gorgeous landscapes and other work that struck his fancy.

A clown painting by Red Skelton.

One can still find some replays of a few of his skits from his television shows if you do a search on the Internet. You will be glad you checked it out, as you’re sure to like Red Skelton and his acting and art work.

Our second hidden artist this week is the actress Lucy Liu. You may remember her from the television series “Ally McBeal.” Other roles fell her way after that success, including the phenomenal series called “Elementary,” a take-off of Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Liu’s parents, Cecilia, a biochemist immigrant from Beijing; and Liu’s father, a civil engineer from Shanghai, made it to New York City where Lucy Liu was born. Her schooling was mixed but she found her niche at the University of Michigan where she obtained a degree in Asian languages with additional electives in fine arts.

Her acting career took off after she was given the lead in a production at the university. Liu exemplifies those with multiple talents and abilities with a long list of accomplishments. These include utilizing her fine arts training with gallery exhibitions, where her artwork sells for high prices. Her work is distinct and has a contemporary flair.

Liu is quoted as saying, “I grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, with no money. I was taught not to take anything for granted. If you are too busy being a diva or a freak, then you are not enjoying it.”

Liu not only acts, but has become a producer as well. When asked if she prefers producing, acting, or painting art, she said, “Producing is like pushing Jello up a hill on a hot day.” Although her paintings are fetching a good price, they do not catch up to her net worth in her acting efforts. Her net worth is listed as $16 million. She was paid $130,000 per episode for her two years on the television show “Elementary.”