With the first season of It: Welcome to Derry finally being here, Stephen King fans have only just learned what inspired the terrifying killer clown, Pennywise.

Stephen King's 1986 horror novel IT has had a number of adaptations in the almost 30 years since it was first published. However, what they all have in common is that they have all centered around the terrifying clown , Pennywise.

The author began writing IT September 9, 1981, and finished December 28, 1985. But many fans might not know that Stephen was inspired to create the terrifying character after having his own 'creepy' experience with a clown. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Since the book was first published, fans have wondered what might have inspired the horror writer to create a character like Pennywise.

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