Sad news today for many baby boomers who will have strong memories of Bozo…the world’s most famous clown…Larry Harmon…one of the original marketing geniuses behind the image and licensing of the Bozo character has died. I don’t have strong memories of Larry Harmon himself much as the portrayer of Bozo…although I certainly have seen him a bit over the years.
What is remarkable to me is that his development and contribution to the image and promotion of the character has brought a lot of joy over the years to many families. I remember our own local Dick Richards, for WZZM TV 13, as our Bozo; from 1968 to 1999. Everyone wanted to get their name drawn so that they could win prizes from the bucket bonanza! Thank you Dick Richards for giving of yourself so completely to your viewers.
Dick Richards was always entertaining and certainly a big part of our children’s development in the western Michigan area. Children’s television programing never had it so good as when people were begging for tickets just to be in the audience for the taping of the Bozo show. It was all due to the vision that Larry Harmon had to how Bozo should be marketed around the country.
I wish to pass along my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Harmon and our thanks for all that he has given to the many children, whos, hearts were lifted up by their time spent enjoying Bozo on television, making us laugh with his antics over the years. Rest in peace, Mr. Harmon!
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