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Michael L. "Mike" Fry (October 25, 1960 – November 4, 2012) was an American serial entrepreneur, entertainer, trainer and marketing expert. He was the original Happy the Hobo on the children's television series ''Happy's Place'', and the creative mind behind and owner of Fancy Fortune Cookies. ==Entertainer== Mike Fry was born in Kankakee, Illinois〔()〕 but grew up in the Huntington, Indiana area. He was the state Tae Kwon Do champion in 1979.〔''Huntington Herald Press'' "Five Are Awarded Tae Kwon Do Honors". October 1979〕 He began juggling at the age of fourteen, after finding out that his grandfather used to juggle dirt clods on the farm in rural Illinois. By the age of 17 he was juggling for audiences in the local area.〔''Indianapolis News'' "Triple Time" August 7, 1995〕 Mike was accepted to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, in Venice, Florida at the age of 19, graduating in 1981. He toured with the circus for the 1981 and 1982 season. He had the honor of being trained by three of the world's four Master Clowns: Lou Jacobs, Frosty Little, and Bobby Kay.〔''Indianapolis News'': "Hoosier Creates A New Idea In Fortune Cookies!" 1993〕 He trained in heavy object balancing, which included six-foot tables, small canoes, a twenty-five foot ladder, a running chainsaw, other people, sofas, and a television set. In 1981, he became a Guinness Book of World Records record holder as part of a group that juggled the most objects at one time. He left Ringling Brothers in 1982 and made the transition to television, where he wrote and co-produced Happy's Place, one of America's highest-rated children's television shows, from 1982 to 1990. Happy's Place aired on Fox affiliate Channel 55 in 207 cities for eight years. At the height of the show's popularity there was a two year wait for tickets to the show. He hosted a variety of guests from The Harlem Globetrotters to Jerry Mathers and Tiny Tim.〔''Huntington Herald Press'' "Seeking Cookie Fortune". December 15, 1988〕 After leaving Happy's Place Mike trained at The Second City sketch comedy group in Chicago. While in Chicago he also auditioned to play the role of Bozo the Clown, and did some writing for the show as a result. He was also an instructor at the Illinois Juggling Institute for one year while he lived in Chicago.〔''Fort Wayne News Sentinel'' "Clown moves to happier place". October 17, 1990〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mike L. Fry」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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