Tragic Clown

The Tragic Clown (also known as Sunny the Tragic Clown) was first introduced The Sims: Livin' Large as one of the newly featured NPCs (the others being the Grim Reaper, Genie, Servo and Santa Claus). He is also one of the pre-created, yet deceased, Sims featured in The Sims 3 who resided during their lifetimes in the Sunset Valley neighborhood that ships with The Sims 3.

Life leading up to The Sims
In The Sims, the Tragic Clown visits depressed Sims who own the "Tragic Clown" painting in order to cheer them up. However, it doesn't help because the Tragic Clown is also feeling miserable. For that reason, any tricks he attempts to do will fail, meaning he will probably make already depressed Sims even more depressed (e.g.: When he juggles, he hits himself with his bowling pins). He usually wanders around the house, crying and coughing.In The Sims 3, he is deceased, so it is implied he is a Ghost. Although Sims can interact with him, the only interaction that makes them happier is insulting him. There are four ways to get rid of him:


 * Catching the painting on fire.
 * Selling the painting.
 * Calling the clown catchers to take him away.
 * Cheering the Sim up.

Life leading up to The Sims 2
The Tragic Clown doesn't make an appearance in The Sims 2, but he is replaced with similar character: the Social Bunny, who has a similar objective. The Social Bunny visits Sims who have a low social need. Unlike the Tragic Clown, the Social Bunny is always successful in his mission, and just having him around raises the social need. The Social Bunny leaves when the social bar reaches the halfway point.

Life leading up to The Sims 3
Although The Sims 3 is a prequel to The Sims, the Tragic Clown is already deceased and buried in the Pleasant Rest Graveyard. His tombstone (which can be found along the east side of the Pleasant Rest Graveyard) indicates that he drowned. For that reason, the color of his ghost is blue. His ghost can usually be spotted around the time when most of the other ghosts are already out.

Appearance
The appearance of the Tragic Clown in The Sims 3 is quite different from his appearance in The Sims. He looks more realistic, friendly, and colorful. His clothing consists of a light green shirt with a gray waistcoat and colorful pants. He also wears a black and white hat. He still has his signature clown makeup, but without the white base The color of his hair is no longer red, but blond. His eyes are dark blue. Although it seems that he has short hair, he has actually long hair, which is revealed when he wears sleepwear, athletic and swimwear clothes.

Personality
The Tragic Clown's traits are Easily Impressed, Bookworm, Neat, Clumsy and Hydrophobic. Strangely, he doesn't have any favorite things but his lifetime wish to become a "World-Renowned Surgeon." Judging by his traits, his personality is the exact opposite of a typical clown.

Appearances in other games
The Tragic Clown made an appearance as the downloadable golfer, along with other familiar characters including Bella Goth and Mortimer Goth in the SimGolf game.

Trivia & Easter eggs

 * Clown Catchers: Maxis included a downloadable service called the "Clown Catchers," which, when rung up, would come around and remove the Tragic Clown from the house. After they catch him, they also take the "Tragic Clown painting" to ensure he does not come back.
 * Tragic Clownfish: There is a funny-looking fish called "Tragic Clownfish" in The Sims 3. Catching it is a main objective of one of the fishing opportunities.
 * Milk: A photo of the Tragic Clown can be seen on the milk cartons in The Sims 2 & 3.