John Wayne Gacy: The Dark Story of the "Killer Clown" in the TV Series "Devil in Disguise"

Liputan6.com, Jakarta John Wayne Gacy, an American serial killer and sex offender, was widely known as the "Killer Clown" for his frequent clown appearances at various events.

His brutal crimes against dozens of young men in the 1970s have left deep scars on countless families and communities.

Now, his dark story is being reimagined in a new TV miniseries titled "Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy," premiering on October 16, 2025.

"Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy" highlights how social prejudice and missed opportunities contributed to Gacy's continued activities undetected for years.

The series begins with the disappearance of teenager Rob Piest, which ultimately led to Gacy's arrest. The series aims to provide a fresh perspective on one of the most horrific criminal cases in American history.

How could it get worse?#DevilInDisguise: John Wayne Gacy is streaming now on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/veGchp7CXV

— Peacock (@peacock) October 16, 2025

The TV mini-series "Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy," premiering on October 16, 2025, on Peacock, offers an in-depth look at the serial killer's life and crimes.

The series was created by Patrick Macmanus and stars Michael Chernus as John Wayne Gacy.

Other supporting cast members include Gabriel Luna, James Badge Dale as Chief Investigator Joe Kozenczak, and Michael Angarano as Gacy's defense attorney, Sam Amirante.

The eight-episode series is inspired by the 2021 NBC News documentary series of the same name, "John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise."

Its narrative approach is non-chronological, jumping back and forth between the police's efforts to uncover Gacy's crimes and the victims' lives before their deaths.

John Wayne Gacy Jr. was born on March 17, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to a Catholic family of Polish and Danish descent.

His early life was marked by an alcoholic father who was often verbally and physically abusive, particularly towards Gacy, calling him "stupid."

In 1968, Gacy was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, a condition that may explain his deviant behavior.

That same year, he was convicted of sodomizing a teenage boy in Waterloo, Iowa, and sentenced to ten years in prison.

After serving 18 months, Gacy was paroled in 1970 and returned to Chicago, where he began a series of even more horrific crimes.

Returning to society, Gacy cultivated an image as a good citizen, even becoming active in charities and children's parties, performing as a clown named "Pogo the Clown."

Between 1972 and 1978, John Wayne Gacy murdered at least 33 young men and teenage boys in Norwood Park Township, Illinois.

He was known for luring his victims to his home under various pretexts, such as offers of jobs at his construction company or promises of drinks, drugs, and money in exchange for sex.

After successfully luring them to his home, Gacy would trick them into putting on handcuffs under the pretense of showing them a magic trick.

Once the victims were handcuffed, Gacy would rape and torture them before killing them, usually by asphyxiation or strangulation with a garrote.

His first known victim was Timothy McCoy, a 16-year-old boy he met at a Chicago bus terminal in 1972.

Gacy's atrocities didn't stop there; he would then hide the bodies in gruesome ways.

Twenty-six victims were buried in the basement of his home, three others elsewhere on his property, and four were dumped in the Des Plaines River.

The investigation into the disappearance of teenager Robert Piest in December 1978 was a turning point in the John Wayne Gacy case.

This investigation ultimately led to Gacy's arrest on December 21, 1978.

Following his arrest, Gacy quickly confessed to the murders of over two dozen young men, shocking the public with this horrific confession.

On March 12, 1980, Gacy was found guilty of 33 murders after a brief jury deliberation of less than two hours.

He was subsequently sentenced to death for his heinous crimes.

During his time in prison, Gacy became a prolific painter, and ironically, many of his works depicted clowns, an inseparable symbol of his criminal identity.

John Wayne Gacy was executed by lethal injection on May 10, 1994, at Stateville Correctional Center, Illinois, at the age of 52.

His execution lasted 18 minutes due to a blockage in the hose delivering the lethal chemical.

Before his execution, Gacy requested a final meal of fried chicken, fried shrimp, French fries, and fresh strawberries.