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The Man Behind the Nose: Assassins, Astronauts, Cannibals, and Other Stupendous Tales
The man behind the makeup of Bozo the Clown offers a memoir full of unexpected stories, such as choreographing a dance routine with Fred Astaire, training for space flights at NASA, and surviving two assassination attempts.
- GenresMemoir
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2010
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30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 17, 2018
This book easily goes in my top five! I loved Bozo the clown as a kid. I can remeber catching the show on tv and thinking how lucky the kids in the audience were to be there. But, even through the tv Bozo made me feel special. This book did the same. Through interviews with Larry “Bozo” Harmon, Thomas Scott McKenzie brings the beloved clown back to life. You want a book that will lift your spirits and make you believe that anything in life is possible? Then read this book and listen to your old pal Bozo teach you that life is all about PULL (Peace, Understanding, Love, and Laughter). Found this book at a dollar store, but the joy it has brought to me and the lessons it has taught make it more valuable than you can imagine.
June 27, 2025
This was a surprising find that I had no idea existed.
Like many people out there I always thought that Bozo was the clown from the WGN Bozo Show. It turns out that clown and show was just the Chicago show, but since WGN became a cable channel it was the one that most American children of the 80,90s and though 2001 saw and assumed was "The Guy". Which wasn't even 1 dude, but different cast to include Bozos. There were over 200 Bozo performers/actors that played the role.
"The Guy" was Larry Harmon and this is his story as told by him. This book reads very much like you are listening to him tell you stories. There are times when he sounds like an unreliable narrator, but that is just part of his showmanship.
Did he really meet Cannibals in Papa New Guinea? Probably not, but the villagers that he spent a few days in the bush interacting with and living with were very isolated and real people. They likely weren't one of the ritualistic cannibal groups, but he didn't know that when he went in to meet them. Plus it makes for a more exciting story.
My only real con is that on nearly every spread there is a tiny picture that is related to the term he just used, but is not him doing it or from his adventures. I don't know the point of these.
Like many people out there I always thought that Bozo was the clown from the WGN Bozo Show. It turns out that clown and show was just the Chicago show, but since WGN became a cable channel it was the one that most American children of the 80,90s and though 2001 saw and assumed was "The Guy". Which wasn't even 1 dude, but different cast to include Bozos. There were over 200 Bozo performers/actors that played the role.
"The Guy" was Larry Harmon and this is his story as told by him. This book reads very much like you are listening to him tell you stories. There are times when he sounds like an unreliable narrator, but that is just part of his showmanship.
Did he really meet Cannibals in Papa New Guinea? Probably not, but the villagers that he spent a few days in the bush interacting with and living with were very isolated and real people. They likely weren't one of the ritualistic cannibal groups, but he didn't know that when he went in to meet them. Plus it makes for a more exciting story.
My only real con is that on nearly every spread there is a tiny picture that is related to the term he just used, but is not him doing it or from his adventures. I don't know the point of these.
June 7, 2017
A thoroughly entertaining memoir by Bozo the clown. This is a wonderful read by a great storyteller that lived a pretty amazing life. Larry Harmon's life philosophies are timeless: have a positive attitude, be dedicated, and work hard (not what you'd expect from a clown!). I really enjoyed reading about Larry's life, and about Bozo's adventures. A fun page-turner that I fully recommend.
July 3, 2024
The 3rd best book I have ever read. I had no idea that Larry ‘Bozo’ Harmon led such a deeply unique life. All the things he dreamed to do, he did them! No adventure was too big. I only remember briefly watching The Bozo Show on PBS as a child, and I am glad to now know the MUCH bigger picture of the man behind the clown.
March 25, 2021
Really uplifting read. This man was amazing.
November 26, 2025
An absolute page-turner! Well-written, super enjoyable autobiography!
May 25, 2011
I went into this with little to no expectation. Surprisingly, it was a pretty good book on Larry "Bozo" Harmon and his adventures as the iconic clown.
Like anyone, I'm familiar with Bozo, but there were a lot of "Hm, I didn't know THAT" moments throughout the course of reading it, such as: training with NASA in zero gravity, running for President (with assassination attempts), and meeting cannibals. A lot of the time, the stories come off too sensational to be true, but these are usually followed with some kind of photographic proof to dispel any doubts, which was a good move on the publisher's part.
The story is told chronologically, the fist half starting with Larry Harman before he became Bozo, going from child to teen to young adult. It's basically a series of events in which the lesson of hard work paying off seems to be the central thesis. The second half is laid out in a series of anecdotes: "Let me tell you about the time I did (fill in the blank with some kind of adventure)." It reads quick, simply, and the design of the book compliments the text wonderfully.
If I had any complaint, it would be that certain aspects of Bozo's life weren't examined in-depth enough. Sure, we got the highlight reel of all his biggest accomplishments, but never anything about the man without the make-up or his personal life, and the title of the book would indicate we'd get at least some of that. The best example is towards the end and you're suddenly being told that Bozo is married, and I must admit, it does come off somewhat abrupt considering his spouse is never mentioned or even hinted at until they've already been wed for some years.
This is a good book about Bozo and is quite informative, but don't expect scandal or drama or anything other than a puff piece that showcases this man in nothing but a positive light. Unlike an "E! True Hollywood Story," this book is all ups and no downs, and some readers may set this one down wanting a little more Larry and a little less Bozo.
Like anyone, I'm familiar with Bozo, but there were a lot of "Hm, I didn't know THAT" moments throughout the course of reading it, such as: training with NASA in zero gravity, running for President (with assassination attempts), and meeting cannibals. A lot of the time, the stories come off too sensational to be true, but these are usually followed with some kind of photographic proof to dispel any doubts, which was a good move on the publisher's part.
The story is told chronologically, the fist half starting with Larry Harman before he became Bozo, going from child to teen to young adult. It's basically a series of events in which the lesson of hard work paying off seems to be the central thesis. The second half is laid out in a series of anecdotes: "Let me tell you about the time I did (fill in the blank with some kind of adventure)." It reads quick, simply, and the design of the book compliments the text wonderfully.
If I had any complaint, it would be that certain aspects of Bozo's life weren't examined in-depth enough. Sure, we got the highlight reel of all his biggest accomplishments, but never anything about the man without the make-up or his personal life, and the title of the book would indicate we'd get at least some of that. The best example is towards the end and you're suddenly being told that Bozo is married, and I must admit, it does come off somewhat abrupt considering his spouse is never mentioned or even hinted at until they've already been wed for some years.
This is a good book about Bozo and is quite informative, but don't expect scandal or drama or anything other than a puff piece that showcases this man in nothing but a positive light. Unlike an "E! True Hollywood Story," this book is all ups and no downs, and some readers may set this one down wanting a little more Larry and a little less Bozo.
October 18, 2015
"YOUR'RE GONNA DIE CLOWN!" -Happy Gilmour (ROTFL! HA HA LOL! Hilarious movie)
With that said, I hate clowns. I find them repulsive, unnatural, and since glimpsing the motion picture adaptation of Stephen King's IT before starting the 2nd grade, when I see a clown, my movement slows to a limp...in fearrrr.
But no matter how unnatural their face paint and "icky" I find them (and what lately Halloween seems to be to me, "icky" and saturated in sugar and high fructose corn syrup) I can't help but admire the story of Mr. Larry Harmon, a patriot, an humanitarian, "a doctor of laughter" who rightfully earned those 4 stars with his philanthropy.
Pretty incredible story. I'm still amazed at how much his shtick caught on, but what is important to me most, is that I hear that voice in his story. That same voice I hear in DragonLance novels when describing Kender, how they think and talk; the Kender disposition about life: fearless, boundless positive energy, and simplistic innocence.
I respect nature and try to cultivate a modest kinship to nature and wildlife when I am outdoors and every so often camping. Straight up, I find the "ickiness" of plastic severed limbs, skeletons, rubber masks, and clown face paint repulsive, even though I went as a clown once for Halloween ("Sideshow Steve"). Okay Sideshow Bob is cool, from the Simpsons, but he's in an animated series that is hilarious. When did Halloween cease to be "scary" and instead just become gross? Probably when I started avoiding excessive sugar.
But getting back to the autobiography, (Bozo going to the aborigines, flying in the "Vomit Comet", deep sea diving, being rescued by paramedics who were more interested in Bozo memorabilia than the patient: Bozo etc.), this was a human being who held onto his dream, 2nd only to his love and desire to help others first. So yeah, respect to Mr. Larry Harmon, Bozo the Clown, or, as I prefer to think of him, "The Doctor of Laughter."
With that said, I hate clowns. I find them repulsive, unnatural, and since glimpsing the motion picture adaptation of Stephen King's IT before starting the 2nd grade, when I see a clown, my movement slows to a limp...in fearrrr.
But no matter how unnatural their face paint and "icky" I find them (and what lately Halloween seems to be to me, "icky" and saturated in sugar and high fructose corn syrup) I can't help but admire the story of Mr. Larry Harmon, a patriot, an humanitarian, "a doctor of laughter" who rightfully earned those 4 stars with his philanthropy.
Pretty incredible story. I'm still amazed at how much his shtick caught on, but what is important to me most, is that I hear that voice in his story. That same voice I hear in DragonLance novels when describing Kender, how they think and talk; the Kender disposition about life: fearless, boundless positive energy, and simplistic innocence.
I respect nature and try to cultivate a modest kinship to nature and wildlife when I am outdoors and every so often camping. Straight up, I find the "ickiness" of plastic severed limbs, skeletons, rubber masks, and clown face paint repulsive, even though I went as a clown once for Halloween ("Sideshow Steve"). Okay Sideshow Bob is cool, from the Simpsons, but he's in an animated series that is hilarious. When did Halloween cease to be "scary" and instead just become gross? Probably when I started avoiding excessive sugar.
But getting back to the autobiography, (Bozo going to the aborigines, flying in the "Vomit Comet", deep sea diving, being rescued by paramedics who were more interested in Bozo memorabilia than the patient: Bozo etc.), this was a human being who held onto his dream, 2nd only to his love and desire to help others first. So yeah, respect to Mr. Larry Harmon, Bozo the Clown, or, as I prefer to think of him, "The Doctor of Laughter."
June 4, 2014
It's hard not to like Bozo and according to Larry "Bozo" Harmon, it's impossible to like him. According to him, no one ever likes Bozo, they LOVE him. Larry "Bozo" Harmon seems enamored with the Bozo character and even moreso with himself. While Harmon comes across as a self-aggrandizing go-getter with a penchant for blowing up celebrity encounters into matters of cosmic consequence, it is hard to deny that Bozo is responsible for making a lot of people happy, and one must give Harmon, the old blow-hard, credit where credit is due.
June 11, 2015
I don't like clowns. There. I said it. But if a book like this can make ME cry, it's worth checking out. I don't want to mislead you. It's not sad or anything. It's just that Harmon's life is so filled with joy & selflessness that every experience detailed in this book just fills you with blasts of uncontrollable emotion.
I highly recommend this. And not just for the reason I laid out. It's also a book that shows what it takes to build an empire. Really inspiring.
I highly recommend this. And not just for the reason I laid out. It's also a book that shows what it takes to build an empire. Really inspiring.
February 23, 2011
Who would have known that a tv clown could lead such an interesting life.
April 14, 2016
A fun biography, certainly more interesting than some others.
November 5, 2013
Decent read, decent summary of the man behind the nose. I enjoyed reading some of his adventures.
Quick read.
Quick read.
February 26, 2014
While I am super thankful that this book was made, it was a bit of a slow read in places. Still: one for the collection.
August 11, 2015
A tale of "you can do whatever you set your mind to" with some mildly entertaining stories and an easy-to-read flow.
December 31, 2011
Would have rated it 5+ until learning it was full of fabricated lies.
June 13, 2012
Inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews