Bozo Miller

Edward Abraham "Bozo" Miller (June 11 1918 – January 7 2008) was an American restaurant owner, "Gastronomical Champion" of competitive eating, and a Guinness World Record holder.

The Guinness Book of World Records named Miller as the "world's greatest trencherman" before the eating records section of that publication was excised in 1990. The 1981 edition of Guinness claimed that Miller had been undefeated in eating contests since 1931, resulting in a fifty-year winning streak. Despite a diet consisting of up to 25,000 calories a day - reflected in his former 5' 7½", 280-300 pound physique - Miller lived to the age of 89. Miller had by then retired from competitive eating and weighed considerably less than he did during his heyday.

Miller believed he received his nickname when his father, who travelled the country with Bozo's mother in a vaudeville show, was performing as a clown. He married Janice Bidwell, a former Princess of the Pasadena Rose Bowl. She died on March 28, 2001.

"Bozo" Miller worked as a restaurateur and then as a liquor distributor. His drinking ability was almost as impressive as his gastronomic feats. He once literally drank a lion under the table. Miller was an avid horse racing fan and witnessed many of the major races of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit.

Miller died on January 7 2008, having struggled with diabetes and heart disease in his final years. Early obituaries gave his age as 99 and his year of birth as 1908, but according to obituaries in the "Wall Street Journal", the "Washington Post", [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/10/AR2008011003838_2.html "Washington Post" obituary] ] The Daily Telegraph, [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;j?xml=/news/2008/01/21/db2103.xml "Telegraph" obituary] ] and the "Philadelphia Inquirer" [ [http://www.philly.com/inquirer/obituaries/13745732.html "Philadelphia Inquirer" obituary] ] , Miller was born in 1918 and, according to the Wall Street Journal obituary, habitually exaggerated his age.

Eating records

*27 two-pound chickens — Trader Vic's, San Francisco, 1963
*324 ravioli (first 250 in 70 minutes) — Rendezvous Room, Oakland, 1963
*63 Dutch apple pies in an hour, 1961
*1000 packets of crisps

References

* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1997/11/20/SP62610.DTL&sn=001&sc=1000 GGF fixture Miller has had quite a ride]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/06/16/DDGM7C8G0P1.DTL&sn=008&sc=189 Leah Garchik Mentions 97th Birthday]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/03/31/MNMILLER.DTL&sn=002&sc=262 Wife's Obituary]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1998/04/02/MN91049.DTL&sn=007&sc=190 Characters Abound at Opening Day]
* [http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/ci_7920632 Eddie 'Bozo' Miller, Guiness record holder, dies at 99]
* [http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/01/champion-eater.html Champion eater loses battle with diabetes, heart disease]