Sad news as Doink the Clown, a staple of the wrestling community in the 90s, was found dead in Texas this morning. Matt Osborne was 57.
WWE issued a brief response on their website.
Reports indicate that Matt Osborne, aka the original Doink the Clown, has passed away. A rugged brawler in promotions like Mid-South Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling, Osborne made a major impact in WWE under the greasepaint of a prankster named Doink — one of the most enduring personas of the early ’90s.
WWE is saddened by the news of Osborne’s passing. Our deepest condolences go out to Osborne’s family, friends and fans.
I can’t recall much about Matt Osborme in the early years though I do remember his match with Ricky the Dragon Steamboat at Wrestlemania (I think it was I). But Doink the Clown was a memorable character in the 90s. I remember thinking that the clowns from Stephen King’s IT reminded me of Doink.
He shuffled in and out of various wrestling leagues including WCW and ECW, sadly never catching on. He made it to the big leagues though and that’s hopefully how he’ll be remembered. Also, that picture is scary and I apologize because you won’t be able to sleep tonight.