Here’s an amusing (or is it just straight up American Horror Story: Freak Show territory?) photo series of a 12-year-old Christopher Walken applying and then sporting some clown makeup. These were shot in 1955.

As many of you already know, Walken’s been acting since he was child. He started in 1953 with his first film Wonderful John Acton.

You can read more about Walken’s early Hollywood acting career here.