By David Cain
Betty Gorham was born on July 26th, 1931. Her mother was an avid circus fan and would take Betty to all the local performances near their home in Davenport, Iowa. Betty learned to juggle at the age of thirteen, juggling mittens on the way to school. Doug Couden, already an established professional on the school assembly circuit, first introduced Gorham to Jugglers’ Bulletin readers in July 1945. By that time, she was 14 years old and juggling three clubs. The following month, her photograph appeared, identifying her as “that 14-year-old gal tosser.” She appeared youthful and friendly, her dark hair full of life, dressed in a simple striped blouse and long skirt. The large Lind clubs she held nearly overwhelmed her small frame. In February 1946, Betty began writing letters and columns for the Juggler’s Bulletin on a regular basis. She loved corresponding with jugglers and then reporting back the latest news. One of the first jugglers she saw perform was Massimiliano Truzzi. Truzzi’s performance showed Betty that a good act was more than just a collection of tricks, but that showmanship was equally important. Her trademark became a warm, joyful smile that communicated her love of juggling to those watching. Once the IJA was formed in 1947 with thirteen charter members, she was not only the first female to join, but the first person, period. As Member #1, Betty brought a welcomed youthful exuberance and feminine touch which was opposite of most of the founders and charter members. She continued supplying material for the Juggler’s Bulletin and then its replacement, the IJA Newsletter.
Still in high school, she practiced for hours in the gym on Saturdays and appeared in school shows, while steadily expanding her network of juggling friends and acquaintances through correspondence and by watching performers passing through her region. Her dedication was all the more remarkable given that she had no show-business in her background.
After graduating school, Betty became a full- time juggler, performing in nightclubs, fairs, circuses and on TV. She signed on with agents from Davenport and several other larger cities nearby that she found listed in Billboard Magazine. She performed with spinning balls, clubs, rings, devil stick, tennis rackets, and combination tricks. Betty was a regular at many early IJA conventions and served as an officer. In 1961, she met Ken Willer, a hand balancer, and they were married the next year. They continued to perform separately and together for a number of years thereafter. Betty had a long career and was considered a top professional. In 1976, she toured with the American Continental Circus along with Lottie Brunn and Dick Franco. Betty was made an Honorary Life Member of the IJA in 1996. Betty and Ken retired to California. Betty passed away on September 11th, 2016 due to complications from pneumonia.
Below are a variety of promotional photos of Betty (and sometimes Betty and Ken), some of which have never been published before. These are followed by a video of the 1950 IJA Convention that features Betty wearing a white dress. She juggles three clubs at the beginning of the video and does ball spinning at 23 seconds.
1950 IJA Convention, with Betty Gorham fourth from the left in the second row
Betty (front row left) with other IJA Officers in 1950
An early IJA gathering, with Betty in the back row
Betty with Harry Lind
In the 1970s, Betty and Ken performed together at times as the Willettys.
David Cain
David Cain is a professional juggler, juggling historian, and the owner of the world's only juggling museum, the Museum of Juggling History. He is a Guinness world record holder and 16 time IJA gold medalist. In addition to his juggling pursuits, David is a successful composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and singer as well as the author of twenty-six books. He and his children live in Middletown, OH (USA).