News Bozo DEAD

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."

**jjchieffan** · 03-22-2018, 06:13 AM

RIP Sweet Daddy Hate. Oh. Wrong Bozo.

Dayze · 03-22-2018, 07:37 AM

the sick part of me hopes that instead of the cliche'd gurgly death rattle last breath, the sound that came out was from the whoopie cushion he had tucked under his armpit.

**Rausch** · 03-22-2018, 07:38 AM

I still have a very old and very rust-backed Bozo pin...

**HemiEd** · 03-22-2018, 07:38 AM

RIP Bozo.

My younger siblings watched him and "Freddy Fudd the Forest Ranger", "Mr. Green Jeans" and "Howdy Doody."

DJJasonp · 03-22-2018, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

the sick part of me hopes that instead of the cliche'd gurgly death rattle last breath, the sound that came out was from the whoopie cushion he had tucked under his armpit.

I damn near spit out my orange juice on this........well-played sir, well played!

Hydrae · 03-22-2018, 08:24 AM

Lived in Chicago in the late 60's as a kid. Loved Bozo! Sad day (although I had no idea he was still alive).

**ptlyon** · 03-22-2018, 08:27 AM

RIP. Oh, and **** clowns.

Frazod · 03-22-2018, 08:28 AM

Lived in Macon as a kid - we got 3, 7 and 10 (or at least we got 3 when the weather was right). No Bozo for me, just Captain Kangaroo.

**alpha_omega** · 03-22-2018, 08:46 AM

RIP sir...sounds like he was a good guy.

Also...Ed gets it right.

**Dartgod** · 03-22-2018, 08:56 AM

Amnorix · 03-22-2018, 08:56 AM

Lord I remember that show! RIP.

BWillie · 03-22-2018, 09:00 AM

Used to watch this shit on WGN growing up, just remember the goofy clown running around and people trying to throw ping pong balls into some sort of jar in a contest. I don't know if this guy was the Bozo then, though?

Dayze · 03-22-2018, 09:11 AM

**Rausch** · 03-22-2018, 09:18 AM

BTW I always loved clowns on TV, adds, or in cartoons.

It wasn't until some traveling carney show came to town (that looked like "Something Wicked This Way Comes) that I saw the happy clown that looked like he was counting the hours until he could down the gallon of antifreeze he was saving up for.

The complete contrast of the make up and the person forever put me off.

03-22-2018, 05:40 AM
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1550477	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."
Posts: 40,375

03-22-2018, 06:13 AM	#2
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $3262247	RIP Sweet Daddy Hate. Oh. Wrong Bozo.
Posts: 12,618	3 0

03-22-2018, 07:37 AM	#3
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5039358	the sick part of me hopes that instead of the cliche'd gurgly death rattle last breath, the sound that came out was from the whoopie cushion he had tucked under his armpit. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,371	2 0

03-22-2018, 07:38 AM	#5
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $3120564	RIP Bozo. My younger siblings watched him and "Freddy Fudd the Forest Ranger", "Mr. Green Jeans" and "Howdy Doody."
Posts: 33,454

03-22-2018, 08:24 AM	#7
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2167000	Lived in Chicago in the late 60's as a kid. Loved Bozo! Sad day (although I had no idea he was still alive).
Posts: 14,691

03-22-2018, 08:27 AM	#8
ptlyon Bono & Grbac wasn't enough Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sioux City, IA Casino cash: $12943829	RIP. Oh, and **** clowns. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Advertise here: $19.99 a month
Posts: 33,745

03-22-2018, 08:28 AM	#9
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2965085	Lived in Macon as a kid - we got 3, 7 and 10 (or at least we got 3 when the weather was right). No Bozo for me, just Captain Kangaroo.
Posts: 119,515

03-22-2018, 08:46 AM	#10
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $1491251	RIP sir...sounds like he was a good guy. Also...Ed gets it right.
Posts: 16,751

03-22-2018, 08:56 AM	#11
Dartgod Wasted away again... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: in Margaritaville Casino cash: $7250000	__________________ If you shed a tear for me, please make it a tear of joy. -Joe Tracy (Nzoner) . .
Posts: 51,145

03-22-2018, 08:56 AM	#12
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Lord I remember that show! RIP. __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
Posts: 43,125	1 0

03-22-2018, 09:00 AM	#13
BWillie Future NBA Finals MVP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2271241	Used to watch this shit on WGN growing up, just remember the goofy clown running around and people trying to throw ping pong balls into some sort of jar in a contest. I don't know if this guy was the Bozo then, though? __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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03-22-2018, 09:11 AM	#14
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5039358	RIP __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,371