Bozo the Clown star Larry Harmon dies

Reuters

CLOWNING AROUND: Larry Harmon, right, who popularised the Bozo the Clown character, has died aged 83.

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Larry Harmon, who played Bozo the Clown for more than 50 years, has died of congestive heart failure at age 83, his spokesman confirmed.

Harmon, a native of Ohio, died at his home in Los Angeles, spokesman Jerry Digney said.

Harmon was not the original Bozo, but he portrayed the flame-haired clown in numerous appearances over the years.

More importantly, he owned the copyright and trademark to the clown. As a result, he was responsible for keeping Bozo working in the entertainment industry.

Since the 1950s, the live BOZO Show has aired in 183 US television markets, and 156 BOZO cartoons have played in almost every country around the world.

In Chicago, the first BOZO Show began airing in 1961 and stayed on air until 2001.

Over the years, Harmon trained some 200 actors to portray the clown for various local TV stations and other programs.

Willard Scott, who went on to appear as a weatherman on NBC's' morning program Today, was one of those recruited by Harmon.

For a time, Harmon also ran a large animation studio in Hollywood, cranking out cartoons based on comedians Laurel and Hardy, as well as Popeye and Mr Magoo.

He is survived by his wife, son and four daughters.

- Reuters