Sad News today for old Bozo fans

[oldschool1982]

Larry Harmon, one of the men who made Bozo the Clown what it had become when we were younger, died of congestive heart failure at the age of 83.

I grew up in Chicago and was one of the lucky ones that actually was able to go to Bozo's Circus when I was 5. I've heard that at one time there was a 10 year wait for tickets but that was after I became to old for the show.

I do remember the Parade at the beginning and end of the show was great. The Bigtop band was close to 20 musicians, Ringmaster was Mr. Ned, Ollie the Clown was played by Ray Rayner and especially Bozo and at that time he was played by Bob Bell locally.

[911 inside job]

I grew up in Boston and we also had a Bozo the clown show. Wondering if it was franchised. Funniest episode,this black kid was doing the game where he would push a plastic bowling ball on a rope and the contestant needed to knock down 5 bowling set up one in the middle 4 on each corner ,like the dots on dice. This kid swings the ball and it knocked down all the pin except the one in the middle.Time ran out and Bozo trys to console the kid. The kid turns to Bozo and says " **** off Clown"

[jbd]

I had pretty much forgotten about that show. Used to watch it a lot when I was young. Knew several kids who went to the show. None of them got picked to do anything but they seemed to have had fun being there.

Its a shame that it takes the news of someones passing on to remind us of some of the good times in life.

Hey oldschool--where in the area did you grow up? I spent most of my childhood in Downers Grove. Was there last fall for a funeral. It has all changed a lot. Almost to the point of being unrecognizable.

[oldschool1982]

Originally Posted by jbd

Hey oldschool--where in the area did you grow up? I spent most of my childhood in Downers Grove. Was there last fall for a funeral. It has all changed a lot. Almost to the point of being unrecognizable.

Elmhurst for almost 23 years. Escaped in 84-85. Knew the Downers area pretty well. Had some good friends there later in my youth when we were more mobile. Played allot of Softball after work at Downers North too. Yeah we were last back there in 2004. Didn't recognize a thing then so I'm sure it's even more unrecognizeable now.

[chrose]

Willard Scott was the Bozo in the DC area when I was a kid. Did a tv show out of a building on Rockville pike. I went when I was 3 or so and was crying a lot so he came and picked me up. Oddly enough all these years later I still have a fuzzy recollection of it. What's fuzzier still is that I think I threw up on him hard to say for sure though! Willard was also the first Ronald McDonald in our area!

[oldschool1982]

I remember Willard Scott as Bozo and as R. McD! I think he made his way to Chicago area as that since MCD's was headquartered in Oak Brook Terrace IL. As far as Bozo goes, wayyyyy back when.....we were visiting my uncle in the area we now live and I was watching Bozo's Circus on TV with my Cousins. I just couldn't understand why Bozo seemed so different that the one back home. But I was 5 at the time. Hehehe