RetroLisa
LARRY HARMON, LONGTIME BOZO THE CLOWN, DEAD AT 83 www.comcast.net/articles/tv/20080703/Obit.Harmon/Los Angeles, July 4, 2008: Larry Harmon wasn't the original Bozo the Clown, but he was the real one.
Harmon, who portrayed the wing-haired clown for more than a half-century, died Thursday of congestive heart failure, said his publicist, Jerry Digney. He was 83.------------------------------- In 1946, Bozo The Clown got his start on book & record sets for children. He was created by Alan W. Livingston and voiced by Pinto Colvig. Larry Harmon was hired to play Bozo at various public appearances. In the mid 1950s he purchased the rights to the character and created TV shows in various cities on a franchise basis. The article above mentions Chicago's Bozo's Circus program, which stayed on the air for 40 years, making it the most successful franchise. |
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JHfan
That's interesting Lisa. When I was in elementary school, my class got to appear one year on the local TV program in Jacksonville, Fl. that featured Bozo the clown. It was called "Popeye & Pals" and was hosted by Skipper Ed & Bozo. The show had bleacher type seating on the set, and I remember Bozo walking along the front row and pretending to try to step on our feet with his huge shoes.  |
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RetroLisa
The show had bleacher type seating on the set, and I remember Bozo walking along the front row and pretending to try to step on our feet with his huge shoes. Geez....as if kids aren't scared of clowns enough already! ;D |
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