Julia Louis-Dreyfus, star of HBO's "Veep," is giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "clowning around."

She's sparking debate by posing nude in May's comedy issue of GQ magazine, appearing to get intimate in her birthday suit between the sheets with a clown.

The risqué photo shoot was the brainchild of the 53-year-old comedian, who is clearly not afraid of getting naked in front of cameras. Now, the Internet is abuzz with people wondering if it's simply racy humor or crosses the line into just plain raunchy.

"Tacky," one person wrote on social media. "Somebody is trying real hard to stay relevant."

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But there are supporters, too.

"Intelligent, pretty, talented woman," another wrote. "She looks wonderful."

Dreyfus, an Emmy award-winner, rose to fame as Elaine on "Seinfeld" and now plays a comically ruthless political powerhouse on the TV show, "Veep."

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One of her claims to fame seems to be showing off her age-defying physique. This is the second time in a month she's stripped down for a magazine, appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone with nothing but the United States Constitution inked on her back.

"My first reaction was, 'Ew,'" Ericka Souter, editor of TheStir.com, told ABC News. "I mean it's a little gross. … Clown. Creepy. But then you think, 'Wait, she's 53.' She looks amazing and she's showing off her body. It's actually quite empowering."