|
 Emmett Kelly - Professional circus
clown whose character Weary Willie - a
sad-faced Depression-inspired hobo character with tattered clothes, red nose,
greasepaint beard and white mouth - was popular with generations of
circus-goers and a major attraction at Ringling Brothers Barnum and
Bailey Circus. Emmett's most popular skit featured Weary Willie
chasing a patch of sunlight with an old broom as he swept up the
floor.
In addition to Emmett Kelly's circus career, he also appeared
in the movies The Fat Man (1951) and
The Greatest Show On Earth
(1952) and the television series THE BOB CROSBY SHOW/NBC/1958 (seen
at the opening and closing o the program); THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE
WEEK/NBC/1961-64 (narrated a documentary on the popularity of the
circus); and TELEPHONE TIME/CBS/ABC/1956-58 (made dramatic debut in
a story entitled "Captain from Koepnick").
In 1957, Kelly left the circus to work as a mascot for the Brooklyn
Dodgers and later performed in television commercials and nightclub
acts. Kelly was also a talented artist.
Kelly's 'Weary Willie' character
was marketed as dolls, circus posters, record albums,
postcards, and a series of porcelain figurines. His face even
appeared on the 1966 five-cent postage stamp commemorating the
American Circus.
Born December 9, 1898 in Sedan, Kansas, Emmett Kelly, Sr.,
died March 28, 1979 of a heart attack in Sarasota. Florida. He
was buried in LaFayette, Indiana in a site near his mother.
The Emmett Kelly Museum in downtown Sedan, Kansas pays tribute to
his 50 year career as a cartoonist and clown. See also - "Clarabell
the Clown"
External Links
Back to Top |
