zoom_in Click to enlarge

Larry Harmon

▲ ▼

description Larry Harmon Overview

Larry Harmon was an American entertainer and businessman closely associated with Bozo the Clown. After acquiring rights connected to the character in the 1950s, he developed a franchising and syndication system through which locally produced television programs used the Bozo identity, costume, and format. Harmon also voiced Bozo in animated productions, helping turn the character into a widely recognized children's television property.

help Larry Harmon FAQ

Who was Larry Harmon outside the Bozo costume?

Larry Harmon was the stage name of Lawrence Weiss, an American entertainer and businessman. He became closely associated with Bozo the Clown through licensing, television production, and public appearances. [Smithsonian](https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_681309)

How did Larry Harmon turn Bozo the Clown into a franchise?

Harmon acquired important rights to Bozo from Capitol Records in the mid-1950s and marketed the character to local television stations. He later trained more than 200 performers to play Bozo in different markets. [Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-04-me-harmon4-story.html)

How did local Bozo television shows work?

Instead of one single national live program, local stations produced their own Bozo shows with their own hosts under Harmon's licensing system. KTLA in Los Angeles launched a major franchised version in 1959 featuring Vance Colvig Jr. [Bozo.com](https://bozo.com/about.php)

Who created the original Bozo character?

Alan W. Livingston created Bozo for a Capitol Records children's album in 1946, and Pinto Colvig supplied the original voice. Larry Harmon became important later by acquiring rights and reshaping Bozo into a widely franchised television character. [Bozo.com](https://bozo.com/about.php)