Guide Note

Larry Harmon, the man who played Bozo the Clown and trained other Bozos for decades, died on July 3, 2008. Harmon purchased the rights to the popular children's television character in 1956, and helped formalize the clown's costume and appearance.¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: 1925
2. Portrayed Bozo the Clown after hired by original Bozo popularizer Alan W. Livingston
3. Bought rights to Bozo in 1956
4. Inducted into Clown Hall of Fame in 1990¹
5. Many actors have played Bozo¹
6. Harmon sometimes claimed to be "original Bozo" which is untrue¹

Harmon was seeking work as an actor when he applied to portray Bozo in promotional appearances. At the time, Bozo was being portrayed on television by Pinto Colvig, who also provided the original voice for Walt Disney's Goofy. In 1956, Harmon purchased the franchising rights to the clown and began training Bozos across the country to appear on local children's television programs. In 1966, he produced the show Bozo's Big Top. In 1990, Harmon was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame.¹