2005 Hall of Fame Inductee
Luke 'Leon' Coffee

2005 Hall of Fame Inductee

Luke “Leon” Coffee - Biography

World-famous Rodeo Clown, Leon Coffee has a list of accomplishments that continues to grow. A United States Army veteran, bullfighter, and "man in the can," the lifetime gold card member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), (joined in 1973) has TV, rodeo commentary, documentaries, color commentaries, commercials, and even movies (including 8 Seconds, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys and Jericho, 2001) to his credit. He has been featured in print and on the covers of many leading newspapers and magazines. He has worked the National Finals Rodeo in four different decades, two different centuries, and two different millenniums with his familiar green hat and happy face. A mule act has also captured the attention of thousands.

Coffee has delighted crowds and helped protect contesting cowboys for over 30 years. He has repeatedly been selected as a barrel man and bullfighter for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, NV. Leon Coffee was named PRCA Clown of the Year in 1983 and has continued to be honored for his humor by being one of the top three candidates for Clown of the Year from 1984-2001. In February 2004, Leon was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton, Texas, for his more than thirty (30) years of service to the rodeo industry. Coffee has participated in major annual rodeos throughout Texas. He was selected as the barrel man for the inaugural Pace Championship event in Las Vegas, NV, in 2000. Coffee celebrated his 25^th year of participating in Nampa, Idaho’s 90^th Annual Snake River Stamped in July 2005. He has also performed at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, that has earned the nickname as the “Daddy of ‘em All”. Some of Leon’s additional achievements are: Lone Star Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfighter 1980, '82; USSTC Cup Finale (Dallas) barrel man 2001-02; Pace Classic (Dallas) barrel man 2003; USSTC Cup Finale (Las Vegas) barrel man 2000; Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals barrel man 1999; and Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo 1980-82, '92, '96, '97.

With all the traveling he has done since 1977, Leon Coffee still makes time to visit the children's wards at local hospitals as he works the rodeos across the country. He has participated in the Adirondack Stampede Charity Rodeo (ASCR) in Glen Falls, NY, where the majority of the proceeds from the ASCR are donated to charities to help kids and families in the Glen Falls area. When asked about his career, this Blanco, Texas, native, famed rodeo clown, bullfighter and barrel man says “I wouldn’t trade what I’ve done for a million dollars…”

Personal Information:

Born: October 11, 1954 in Blanco, Texas
NFR: (5) 1979, '84, '91, '94, '97 (alternate 1983, '93, '98)
Family: Wife, Traci, Daughters, Leigh Ann, Brandy Lynn; Son, Luke Anthony
Other Occupation: Horse trainer, farrier
Special Interests: Karate, fishing, hunting, tie-down roping, bulldogging
Specialty Acts: mule act called Hippie Motorcycle
Style of Dress: green hat, multi-colored shirt, Wrangler baggies
PRCA Membership: 1973

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