Larry Harmon, the man behind 'Bozo the Clown' for more than 50 years, has died of heart failure.
According to Reuters, Harmon's spokesman said that the performer, a native of Ohio, died at his home in Los Angeles.
Harmon purchased the copyright and trademark to the clown in the 1950s and as a result was responsible for keeping Bozo in the entertainment industry for more than half a century.
Harmon once recalled: "We didn't have satellite, syndication and networking like today.
"So, I created my own network of local clowns and productions, a cross-country operation that kept me on the road for 50 weeks a year for decades."
Harmon also ran a large animation studio in Hollywood, producing cartoons based on comedians Laurel and Hardy, as well as the characters 'Popeye' and 'Mr Magoo'.
He is survived by his wife, son and four daughters.
