News Bozo DEAD - Page 3

Hog's Gone Fishin · 03-22-2018, 05:40 AM

BOSTON (AP) —
Longtime Boston television personality and entertainer Frank Avruch, who was the star of the popular children's TV program "Bozo the Clown," has died. He was 89.

Avruch died Tuesday at his Boston home from heart disease, his family said in a statement to WCVB-TV.

Avruch played Bozo the Clown from 1959 to 1970, a clown character particularly popular in the U.S. in the 1960s because of widespread franchising in television. Avruch became the first nationally-syndicated Bozo the Clown.

"He had a heart of gold," manager Stuart Hersh told The Associated Press on Wednesday, "He brought the Bozo the Clown character to life better than anyone else's portrayal of Bozo the Clown."

Avruch also was a contributor to WCVB-TV for more than 40 years as a host of "Man About Town" and "The Great Entertainment."

He was an active philanthropist and a board member of UNICEF'S New England chapter. He toured the world performing as Bozo the clown for UNICEF.

"He touched so many people with his portrayal," Hersh said.

Avruch is survived by his wife Betty, two sons Matthew and Steven and several grandchildren.

"While it's hard to say goodbye, we celebrate the legacy of joy and laughter he brought to millions of children around the world as Bozo the Clown on TV and as a UNICEF Ambassador and later as host of Channel 5's Great Entertainment and Boston's Man About Town," Avruch's family said in a statement to the station. "Our dad loved the children of all ages who remembered being on his show and was always grateful for their kind words. We will miss him greatly."

**srvy** · 03-22-2018, 05:30 PM

In the KC area it was Whizzo the Clown. Im sure Bozo was on some channel but we didnt watch that I recall. Its where you got your Popeye fix.

RINGLEADER · 03-22-2018, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd4chiefs

Fun fact: the guy playing the clown in this Seinfeld episode was Jon Favreau, the star of the movie Swingers (among others), Happy Hogan in the Marvel movies, and director of the first two Iron Man movies, Jungle Book, Elf and others.

Pasta Little Brioni · 03-22-2018, 10:46 PM

Planet member

RippedmyFlesh · 03-22-2018, 11:13 PM

Watched Bozo in mid 60s and thank him because I don't have a clown phobia. That said every clown after Bozo seemed creepy to me.

03-22-2018, 05:40 AM
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1450477	Bozo DEAD BOSTON (AP) — Longtime Boston television personality and entertainer Frank Avruch, who was the star of the popular children's TV program "Bozo the Clown," has died. He was 89. Avruch died Tuesday at his Boston home from heart disease, his family said in a statement to WCVB-TV. Avruch played Bozo the Clown from 1959 to 1970, a clown character particularly popular in the U.S. in the 1960s because of widespread franchising in television. Avruch became the first nationally-syndicated Bozo the Clown. "He had a heart of gold," manager Stuart Hersh told The Associated Press on Wednesday, "He brought the Bozo the Clown character to life better than anyone else's portrayal of Bozo the Clown." Avruch also was a contributor to WCVB-TV for more than 40 years as a host of "Man About Town" and "The Great Entertainment." He was an active philanthropist and a board member of UNICEF'S New England chapter. He toured the world performing as Bozo the clown for UNICEF. "He touched so many people with his portrayal," Hersh said. Avruch is survived by his wife Betty, two sons Matthew and Steven and several grandchildren. "While it's hard to say goodbye, we celebrate the legacy of joy and laughter he brought to millions of children around the world as Bozo the Clown on TV and as a UNICEF Ambassador and later as host of Channel 5's Great Entertainment and Boston's Man About Town," Avruch's family said in a statement to the station. "Our dad loved the children of all ages who remembered being on his show and was always grateful for their kind words. We will miss him greatly."
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03-22-2018, 05:30 PM	#31
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1401250	In the KC area it was Whizzo the Clown. Im sure Bozo was on some channel but we didnt watch that I recall. Its where you got your Popeye fix. __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,519

03-22-2018, 10:46 PM	#33
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $3718880	Planet member __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
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03-22-2018, 11:13 PM	#34
RippedmyFlesh Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Casino cash: $10005817	Watched Bozo in mid 60s and thank him because I don't have a clown phobia. That said every clown after Bozo seemed creepy to me.
Posts: 4,848