Link (http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/138772-doink-the-clown-real-name-matt-osborne-dies-at-55/)

Doink the Clown, a former WWE professional wrestler, has died at 55, according to reports.

His girlfriend found Doink, real name Matt Osborne, dead in her home in Texas, where he was staying, according to the Toronto Sun. The story was first reported on by TMZ.

Details of his death, including the cause, were unclear.

The WWE released a statement on his death: “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,” it continues.

During his time with the WWE, he portrayed as a malicious clown who played tricks on other wrestlers. He left the organization in 1993 due to substance abuse problems, according to Deadspin.com.

The character Doink the Clown was portrayed by other wrestlers until 1995.

Link (http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/138772-doink-the-clown-real-name-matt-osborne-dies-at-55/)

Doink the Clown, a former WWE professional wrestler, has died at 55, according to reports.

His girlfriend found Doink, real name Matt Osborne, dead in her home in Texas, where he was staying, according to the Toronto Sun. The story was first reported on by TMZ.

Details of his death, including the cause, were unclear.

The WWE released a statement on his death: “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,” it continues.

During his time with the WWE, he portrayed as a malicious clown who played tricks on other wrestlers. He left the organization in 1993 due to substance abuse problems, according to Deadspin.com.

The character Doink the Clown was portrayed by other wrestlers until 1995.

Ugh, I am so tired of seeing wrestlers dying mostly to drugs or a heart attack

55 years old is way too young to die, Doink the Clown was pretty entertaining! Osborne is the best and original Doink Clown

:rip: Matt Osborne. He may have had a goofy gimmick but he was a great athlete and an entertaining wrestler.

Well I think the WWE and wrestling as a whole is trying to clean up the business so there will not be anymore premature deaths. I remember Doink very well. When you think of the, I guess, "cartoon era" Doink is right there. Matt Osborne was a very good wrestler. He wrestled Ricky Steamboat at the first WrestleMania and for some of you older wrestling fans, teamed with 2 other legends that have passed away, "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer and was managed by Percy Pringle, who you may know as Paul Bearer.

I remember Tommy Rich actually debuted Big Josh in WCW in 1991. In fact, he was called Joshua Jones and then shorted to Big Josh. And then he became the evil clown Doink where he feuded with Crush, including hitting Crush with a plastic arm and the infamous "Double Doinks" at WrestleMania 9. Then he went good and got a sidekick, Dink and had a memorable run with Jerry Lawler. Everybody remembers Doink. RIP.

Sad news. Talked to him on the phone once enquiring about his wrestling school. Found out his daughter shared my birthday. Rest In Peace Matt! :(