Pennywise the Clown is a fictional character from Stephen King's horror novel It, published in 1986. He is depicted as a shape-shifting entity that often takes the form of a clown to lure children. Pennywise primarily preys on the fears of his victims, feeding on their terror before ultimately attacking. The character has been adapted into various media, including a 1990 television miniseries and a two-part film series released in 2017 and 2019. In these adaptations, Pennywise is portrayed by actors Tim Curry and Bill Skarsgård, both of whom brought unique interpretations to the role, contributing to the character's lasting impact in popular culture.