I just read that Larry Harmon, one of the men (there were several) who dressed up as Bozo the Clown, died at the age of 83 from congestive heart failure. According to the article I read, Harmon was the one largely responsible for popularizing Bozo around the country, as he came up with the idea of licensing the character and training others to act like him.

I grew up watching the Chicago version, which starred Bob Bell as Bozo. The show was on every morning at 7:00 and I’d tune in while I was eating breakfast and getting ready for school. I didn’t care much for the comedy segments between Bozo and Cookie, but I absolutely LOVED the Grand Prize Game. I thought the kids who were chosen for the game were so lucky, and I was sooo jealous when one of them won the $50 bill and the brand-new Schwinn bicycle. I would have loved going to a taping of the show, but never did.

Anyway, it was sad to hear about Harmon’s passing today. The Bozo Show is definitely a fond memory from my childhood!