Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams (born May 28, 1945) is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author.

Each year he also organizes volunteers from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress as clowns to bring humor to orphans, patients, and other people.

His father, a United States Army officer who fought in Korea, died while stationed in West Germany when Adams was only 16.

Adams has stated that upon his return he encountered racism and segregation amongst his peers against which he stood up, and this made him a target for bullies at school.

Soon after graduation, Patch, his wife Linda, and friends started to develop the ideas that eventually led to The Gesundheit!

The latest plan is for a 44-bed community hospital building that will offer free holistic care to "anyone who wants it", along with a teaching facility that can accommodate "120 staff, all living together in the communal ecovillage".

In January 2006, IHA launched the Ithaca Free Clinic, bringing to life key aspects of Adams's vision.

Adams has heavily criticized the film, saying it eschewed an accurate representation of his beliefs in favor of commercial viability.

[12] Patch Adams also said of Robin Williams in an interview, "He made $21 million for four months of pretending to be me, in a very simplistic version, and did not give $10 to my free hospital.