 Joseph Grimaldi ( 18 December 1778 – 31 May 1837 ) was an English actor , comedian and dancer , who became the most popular English entertainer of the Regency era . In the early 1800s , he expanded the role of Clown in the harlequinade that formed part of British pantomimes , notably at the Theatre Royal , Drury Lane and the Sadler 's Wells and Covent Garden theatres . He became so dominant on the London comic stage that the harlequinade role of Clown became known as " Joey " , and both the nickname and Grimaldi 's whiteface make @-@ up design were , and still are , used by other types of clowns . Grimaldi originated catchphrases such as " Here we are again ! " , which continue to feature in modern pantomimes . 
