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Bozo the clown dead at 83


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Larry Harmon, who turned the character Bozo the Clown into a show business staple that delighted children for more than a half-century, died Thursday of congestive heart failure. He was 83.


Although not the original Bozo, Harmon portrayed the popular frizzy-haired clown in countless appearances.

His publicist, Jerry Digney, told The Associated Press he died at his home.

Although not the original Bozo, Harmon portrayed the popular frizzy-haired clown in countless appearances and, as an entrepreneur, he licensed the character to others, particularly dozens of TV stations around the country. The stations in turn hired actors to be their local Bozos.

"You might say, in a way, I was cloning BTC (Bozo the Clown) before anybody else out there got around to cloning DNA," Harmon told the AP in a 1996 interview.

"Bozo is a combination of the wonderful wisdom of the adult and the childlike ways in all of us," Harmon said.

Pinto Colvig, who also provided the voice for Walt Disney's Goofy, originated Bozo the Clown when Capitol Records introduced a series of children's records in 1946. Harmon would later meet his alter ego while answering a casting call to make personal appearances as a clown to promote the records.

He got that job and eventually bought the rights to Bozo. Along the way, he embellished Bozo's distinctive look: the orange-tufted hair, the bulbous nose, the outlandish red, white and blue costume.

"I felt if I could plant my size 83AAA shoes on this planet, (people) would never be able to forget those footprints," he said.

The business -- combining animation, licensing of the character, and personal appearances -- made millions, as Harmon trained more than 200 Bozos over the years to represent him in local markets.

"I'm looking for that sparkle in the eyes, that emotion, feeling, directness, warmth. That is so important," he said of his criteria for becoming a Bozo
SilenceNoMore

27 responses // Bozo the clown dead at 83

  • I loved this show....
    SilenceNoMore
  • At least it was old age and not something heart stopping. Good show it was.
    J_Jammer
  • Sad
    dkvt332
  • http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080703/ap_on_en_tv/obit_ha...
    theres a bit more here
    SilenceNoMore
  • He will be missed by many many people the world over. A great way to pass through this world, making people laugh and be happy they met you. God bless him and rest his soul.
    Robroy1
  • An icon. Plain and simple.
    Irony that "What a Bozo!" will be forever associated with bad clown-like behavior.
    My dad's favorite thing to call GWB, too.
    huntre
  • watch this comment being used here and here
    Bozo will be remembered by me as an icon for almost every kid in my neighborhood of Detroit MI, where he was a staple for all of us kids who watched him (though in black & white) but nonetheless enjoyed his caring and sincerity of kids who visited his show every week. Thanks Bozo for you were one of my 1st teachers of showing kindness to one another! May your memory Live Long & Prosper!
    tmaster
  • watch this comment being used here, here, here, here, here, and here
    This is truly saddening, when I laugh to myself, I often have in the corner of my mind, Mr. Bozo, God Rest his soul.
    marpunk
  • That guy was 60 and 70 something when I was watching? That is just wierd.
    StuntBunny
  • Thanks for making a little boy laugh & very happy every single show. Naturally, sitting as close to our black & white TV as I could. Bye Bye Bozo-RIP.
    darkhorsejim
  • And yet he will give millions of babies the creeps for decades to come. Infamous legacy!
    pablomelendez
    1 response to this
  • I liked the show. But I hate clowns.

    Look at that photo! It's a wonder Bozo didn't scare the crap out of me too!
    nickwe3d
  • Bozo was real?
    Neghie
  • I think my post was way funnier... HAHAHA.

    http://current.com/items/89073551_btc_no_longer_in_the_...
    Mafioso
  • A guy who suffered from depression went to see a therapist. His doctor recommended "you should go see the famous Bozo clown, that could be a great cure to your depression" The guy replied " Doctor, I am Bozo the great clown"
    NOTOTHEWALL
  • http://bp3.blogger.com/_9Lu68KJ8xNQ/R994EgbAeuI/AAAAAAA...
    I guess I missed the Bozo boat. This image is literally the only thing I knew about Bozo growing up. Combined with the fact that clowns are scary, I always thought Bozo was bad and not to be trusted. Apparently many people have fond memories of the freaky looking monster guy.

    RIP nonetheless.
    superkiy
  • i loved Bozo - and i want ronald mcdonald to die .
    malathion
    1 response to this
  • i have never been very fond of clowns. i can't understand why an old man would do such a ridiculous thing for a living. as a child i could only think of the man behind the painted face and creepy smile. at age two, my father made a mistake by having a guest clown. i ran screaming from my own birthday party. Bozo as a man, what can i miss? i didn't know him. Bozo the clown; i'll never care that there is one less clown. one down, millions to go. i say we put an end to clown "tradition." why'd it begin in the first place?
    sarahesther
  • Just another advertising scandel that went down the drain...or up (depending on Bozo's religion)...
    24ciao7
  • Sad but I'm afraid of clowns.
    MrBigShot21
  • now if only all the other bozo's and clowns that masquerade as politicians would die off as well... (G W, I'm looking at you ;)
    korourke
  • Sooo..... are they going to bury him in his clown costume? Cause I can imagine how freaky an open-casket funeral would be with a clown.
    slamber
  • i don't think i lyk that the writer kept on calling him " the popular frizzy clown".
    i know he's past;
    but have some respect.
    ima a chick and frizzy is not the best way to describe anyone.
    just my 0.02.
    morgantaggart
  • I remember watching the show as a kid and i remember enjoying it...but that picture freaks me out. Pediphile anyone?
    Captain_Beefheart
  • It's gonna be that much harder to sleep tonight.
    Captain_Beefheart

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