Don Sandburg, Last Original 'Bozo' Cast Member, Dies At 87

CHICAGO — Don Sandburg, who played Sandy the Tramp on "Bozo's Circus" and was the show's last surviving original cast member, has died. He was 87.

The creator of the Bozo's Grand Prize Game died Saturday night from Alzheimer's complications, according to WGN-TV. He was staying at his son's home in Springfield, Oregon, and he is survived by his wife and son, the report added.

Sandburg started his television career at a Cincinnati, Ohio, station as 21-year-old prop manager, and he eventually moved on to Chicago in 1956. He was brought over to WGN along with Bob Bell, the man who eventually became the station's Bozo the Clown.

He began joined "Bozo's Circus" as a writer and the character Sandy the Tramp in 1961, a year after the show debuted. Sandburg appeared as Ronald McDonald in a 1967 Chicago area commercial.

In 1969, he left for Hollywood and worked on children's shows, such as "The Banana Splits," "New Zoo Revue" and the "Star Trek" cartoon series. Sandburg would periodically return to "Bozo's Circus" for special anniversary shows, as well as the final episode in 2001.

More via WGN-TV

Don Sandburg as Sandy the Tramp (right) on "Bozo's Circus." Sandburg created the Grand Prize Game — also known as Bozo's Bucket Game — for the WGN-TV show. (Screen shot via video from Kelly Hughes | YouTube)