Chris Wedes Collection on J.P. Patches, 1958-2003

Julius Pierpont (J. P.) Patches, portrayed by Chris Wedes, was a clown on a long-running children's television program on KIRO in Seattle. Wedes grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. At Macalester College, he performed in various theatre productions and started a campus radio station. He served in the Army in Korea; upon his return he started work as a director at WMIN-TV in Minneapolis. He began to portray several characters on the air, including J.P. Patches, a role originated by another actor. When KIRO-TV began broadcasting in Seattle, Wedes was hired to host the station's first live program, which debuted on February 10, 1958.

The J.P. Patches Show featured Wedes as the eponymous clown, who was mayor of the city dump and was forever pursued by Gertrude, played by Bob Newman. Viewers -- who numbered 100,000 at the show's peak -- were encouraged to become "Patches Pals" by doing things like minding their parents, sharing their toys, and brushing their teeth. The show ran for 23 years until its cancellation in 1981. Wedes and Newman continued to make appearances and support local charities, most notably Seattle's Children's Hospital.