Larry Harmon: “Bozo The Clown” Dead

Larry Harmon, best known for his role of “Bozo the Clown,” died at age 83 from congestive heart failure today.

Harmon wasn’t the original Bozo but he played the part in many appearances and bought the rights to the orange-haired clown. From there, he sold the rights and went on to train more than 200 other Bozos to play the part for kids all over.

The Chicago TV version ran for 40 years and was played by Bob Bell. The popularity was so great that eventually the waiting list for tickets to the show stretched into a decade long wait.

Harmon appeared in the 1996 New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena and dressed like Bozo for the first time in 10 years. The crowd was pretty excited to see their favorite clown.

“They kept yelling, `Bozo, Bozo, love you, love you.’ I shed more crocodile tears for five miles in four hours than I realized I had,” he said. “I still get goose bumps.”

Harmon leaves behind his wife of 29 years Susan, his son, Jeff Harmon, and daughters Lori Harmon, Marci Breth-Carabet and Leslie Breth.

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