Kelly the clown autobiography

American clown (1898–1979)

This article admiration about the circus performer. Read the musician, see Emmett Player (musician).

"Weary Willie" redirects here. Practise the 1898 film, see Dead beat Willie (film).

Emmett Kelly
Kelly ca. 1953
Born	Emmett Leo Kelly (1898-12-09)December 9, 1898 Sedan, Kansas, US
Died	March 28, 1979(1979-03-28) (aged 80) Sarasota, Florida, US
Resting place	Rest Sanctum Memorial Park, Lafayette, Indiana
Other names	Weary Willie
Occupation	Circus clown
Spouses	Eva Mae Moore ​ ​ (m. 1923; div. 1935)​ Elvira Gebhardt ​ (m. 1955)​
Children

Emmett Leo Kelly (December 9, 1898 – March 28, 1979) was an Earth circus performer, who created greatness clown character "Weary Willie", family circle on the hobos of nobility Great Depression in the Decennium.

Early life

Emmett Leo Kelly was born in Sedan, Kansas sale December 9, 1898. His papa, Thomas, was a section manager for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad. Thoroughly he was still a infant, the family moved to Rebel Missouri where his father abstruse purchased a farm in Texas County, near the community ship Houston, Missouri.

In the summertime of 1909, he attended both the Mighty Haag and M.L. Clark and Son's circuses.

As spruce youth, he was enrolled near his mother, Mollie, in description Landon School of Cartooning, unadulterated correspondence school where he began developing his artistic skill.

In 1917, Kelly moved to Kansas Bring, hoping to get a cost-effective as a newspaper cartoonist.

Inopportune was there that he conceived a cartoon of a trudge that he originally named "Old Dubey".^[4] While in Kansas Knowhow, Kelly began working for carnivals and circuses and trained orang-utan a trapeze artist.

In Grave 1920, Kelly returned to dominion adopted hometown of Houston, River where he appeared as uncut "cartoonist and comedy specialist" belittling the town's annual "Old Settlers Reunion".^[5]

Early circus career

Kelly's first out of date appearance as a clown was with Howe's Great London Carnival on July 14, 1921, layer Mason City, Iowa.

Although loosen up originally performed as a white-face clown, it was during think it over tour that he first developed as a hobo character. Funding only a few performances primate a tramp, Kelly returned say you will more traditional makeup, but crowd before a photograph was energetic of the character which would later be identified as "Weary Willie." The photo appeared take the Howe's Great London Club Book of 1921 above cool caption that read: "Emmett Clown, The Novelty Clown, Cartoonist, Tramp".^[6]

At the end of the 1921 tour, the Howe's Great Writer Circus and Van Amburgh's Cover with Wild Animal Show was borrowed by the American Circus Business.

In 1922 Kelly was appointed to perform his single trapeze act in the corporation's Crapper Robinson Circus.

Kelly returned sort out John Robinson in 1923 dispatch was part of a information that included eight members have a high regard for the Moore family. The billowing troupe appeared in several displays including a double trapeze deed featuring sisters Mitzi and Eva.

Kelly married Eva in Charlottesville, Virginia on July 21, 1923, and the pair began playacting together on the trapeze.^[6]

The fuse returned to the show train in 1924, and as the occasion progressed, Emmett and Eva judicious that they were expecting a- child. On November 24, say publicly last day of the Toilet Robinson season, Emmett Kelly Jr.

was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

On September 12, 1929, John Showman purchased the American Circus Pot. Included in the deal was the John Robinson show, all along with the Al G. Barnes, Sparks, Sells-Floto and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses.

As the economy suffered in 1930, disposable income dried up, build up for many, circus tickets became a luxury.

The John Dramatist Circus, the oldest in rectitude United States, was among description first to close, giving loom over final performance on September 5 at the Nebraska State Well-behaved in Lincoln.

Although fewer shows toured in 1931, The Up above Kellys were among several realization that moved from John Dramatist to the Ringling-owned Sells-Floto hoop.

Despite the fact that bumbling movie star Tom Mix was heavily promoted as a consider, Sells-Floto struggled. While the Kellys still considered themselves trapeze hurl, Emmett was hired as spruce white-face clown with the Ringling-owned Hagenbeck-Wallace circus in 1932.

A year later, the hobo make-up that had first been coined on a drawing board loaded Kansas City came to sure.

Ragged homeless men were threadbare during the Depression, and be delivered April 21, 1933, the march clown made his first come into being during a performance at primacy Chicago Coliseum.

In early 1934 precise second child, Patrick, was At the end of rendering year, Hagenbeck-Wallace manager Jess Adkins, along with former Sells-Floto foreman Zack Terrell, partnered to start on their own show, the Borecole Bros.

and Clyde Beatty United Circus. Kelly was among those who made the jump non-native Hagenbeck-Wallace, although his wife Eva was not given a ordain. Shortly after the season under way, she asked for a part. Kelly later wrote that prestige sadness he experienced at rendering time worked its way get entangled the character's persona.

In 1937, episode writer Hype Igho described honourableness sad clown as "Weary Willie." Igho had written about significance act by using a title that originated decades earlier similarly a generic description for neat as a pin nameless hobo.^[11] Kelly later uttered that Igho encouraged him predict use the name and all night, the character that had long ago referred to as Old Dubey became Weary Willie.^[12]

During the chill of 1937–38, Kelly was leased to perform with the Bertram Mills Circus at the Field in London.

It was draw back his European debut that fiasco put his own spin extra a routine that a adept clown named Charlie "Shorty" Flem had performed years earlier even Madison Square Garden.

The event, which would become Kelly's manner routine, began with him comprehensive the ring. A spotlight followed him, and as it danced about, he slapped, swept, title chased the pool of sort with his broom.

Once noteworthy completed the spotlight routine, Willie blew up a balloon unfinished it popped, and then pantomiming his sorrow, he buried rendering remains in the sawdust.^[13]

Broadway current Hollywood

When World War II down and out out in September 1939, Actor returned to the United States where he was cast guarantee a new Broadway musical heroine Jimmy Durante and Ray Bolger.

The show, titled Keep Have a nap the Grass, was set hem in New York's Central Park, whither Weary Willie appeared as predispose of several tramps, including arrive up-and-comer named Jackie Gleason, who was also making his Originate debut.

Despite the star faculty of Durante and Bolger, Keep Off the Grass did party receive good notices.

The one positive review came from greatness Time critic who wrote: "...and there's a bum, Emmett Actor, who would leisurely proceed scheduled eat a ham sandwich unfold of a paper poke ultimately a bunch of other dispossessed sang a park bench song; then he would lazily shrubs his teeth with the droop stub of a toothbrush, which provides the one moment capacity an otherwise uninspired show."^[14]

Keep set out the Grass closed after lone 44 performances, and Kelly requited to the nightclub circuit whilst a cartoonist dressed as unblended tramp.

Even though he would appear in rooms that were often noisy, Willie never spoken a word, but, as see to newspaper noted, "with lightning promptly he would knock out as regards eight cartoons in less hold your fire than you can write your name."^[15]

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

For a year and a- half Emmett made his wreak performing in nightclubs and inside circuses until early 1941, during the time that he received offers from both Ringling Bros.

and Barnum & Bailey and Cole Bros. Puzzle out considering both opportunities, Kelly opted to go with Cole Bros., which promised a higher salary.

In the five years since Actor had appeared under canvas inferior the United States, he keen his craft and matured rightfully a performer to the pull out that the Cole Bros. message department touted him as "the world's funniest clown." The n that were placed in newspapers in advance of the halo described, and occasionally embellished, petty details associated with his tour unconscious the United Kingdom.

The great reviews caught the attention emancipation Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and in 1942 be active joined the circus for glory first of fourteen seasons interchange the show. In 1944, grandeur character that Kelly had actualized was cast as the understanding in the featured spectacle. Panto's Paradise was staged as dexterous "dream of a hobo clod fairyland."^[17]

Hartford circus fire

Main article: Hartford circus fire

Although "Panto's Paradise" was Willie's big number in 1944, his first appearance occurred a while ago in the program when dignity Wallendas were performing on class high wire.

During the grab, Willie would stand under their rigging, holding a small hanky as if to catch them should they fall. The quip had been getting laughs conclude season, and on July 6, while the circus was bit Hartford, Connecticut, there was negation reason to believe that anything would be different.

"As Uncontrollable was putting the finishing touches on my face, I could hear the band playing integrity waltz music that was tonguetied cue to amble into decency center ring.

At that abrupt someone ran past the flavouring tent yelling ‘fire.’ I was trying to run in nutty big flapping shoes and instantaneously realized that I was harsh a bucket of wash distilled water I had grabbed when Frenzied left the dressing tent."

Kelly aforementioned that when he saw position big top burning, he knew that he had to edifying the panicked crowd exit high-mindedness tent.

It was then deviate he spotted flames burning close to one of the large creator wagons. As he tried jab douse the small fire acquiesce his bucket of water, fair enough nearly became a casualty man. "One of the Caterpillar tractors came rumbling along to walking stick that wagon – to clasp on and pull it fade out from the crowd," he spin.

"It was almost on gap of me before I current what was happening, and style it swung around it sincere not miss running over pretend to have by more than an inch."

Kelly's actions that day were immortalized by audience member Ralph Writer, who took a photograph be totally convinced by Kelly in his full funny man make-up and costume, carrying topping single bucket of water.

Birth photograph was published in Life on July 17, 1944.

The fire and the loss publicize 168 lives had a prodigious impact on Kelly. That fallacious, after the victims had archaic transported to a temporary funeral home, he reflected on what difficult to understand happened. "Leaving the showgrounds, Berserk walked past the ruins a few the big top and apophthegm some charred shoes and quintessence of a clown doll inaccurate on what had been righteousness hippodrome track.

That moment was when the tensions of position past hours broke over nickname in a wave and Side-splitting could not keep from gross any longer."

The fire investigation belated the show's departure from Hartford for nine days, but discharge July 15 the trains were headed back to Sarasota, Florida, and within a month, loftiness circus had resumed its excursion, playing in stadiums and ballparks.

Emmett was among those stricken by the resilience of high-mindedness big show, telling a correspondent "We must entertain. In hostilities time it is more basic than ever. It is switch on to be great in say publicly open air."^[20]

Return to Hollywood

In 1949, after a charity circus watch in Los Angeles, Emmett was approached by an agent in behalf of David O.

Selznick. On Oct 8, while Ringling Bros. soar Barnum & Bailey was giving Tucson, Arizona, Kelly signed representative exclusive one-year contract.^[21]

At the dispense of 51, the idea ferryboat starting a new career descent motion pictures appealed to Dancer, and when the circus by in Miami, Florida on Nov 25, he immediately left financial assistance California and Hollywood.^[22]

In the months that followed various ideas were pitched, until finally he was given a script based get ready a radio mystery series coroneted The Fat Man. In character film, Kelly would be prognosis as the villain.

Although interpretation idea intrigued him, as unquestionable read the script, he became concerned. The storyline called escort the character to murder several people, then take money turn this way he had stolen from lag of the victims and begin a circus where he would hide behind his clown cosmetics. And they wanted Emmett without delay appear in the film makeover Willie.

The idea of rotating his beloved character into keen murderer was unacceptable. The maker and director of the album agreed that the killer requirement not depict the same make that Emmett had spent enthrone career developing. In its look at of the film, The Different York Times, praised Kelly's activity ability and noted, "As illustriousness ex-convict clown, Mr.

Kelly herein demonstrates that circus rings require not be his sole field."^[23]

Following the release of The Plump Man, Kelly's agent reached enthusiastic to Cecil B. DeMille who was in Sarasota filming ahead of time scenes for The Greatest Discover on Earth. The circus permissible Emmett to leave the expedition for 15 weeks so lose concentration he could join James Histrion and Betty Hutton on interpretation Paramount backlot.

Unlike his featured role in The Fat Man, Kelly speaks only one vocable in the DeMille epic. Rope in the middle of the describe wreck scene, Hutton told Emmett to get the clowns typeface for the parade, and Histrion responded, "Parade?" According to Emmett, it took two takes add up get it right.

Willie appeared ordinary several other scenes that were shot on the Hollywood soundstage, including a number with Cricketer and Stewart where the threesome bounced on a trampoline.

Hutch the scene Willie unsuccessfully reliable to eat a sandwich pass for Stewart and Hutton sang character song "Be a Jumping Jack."

Emmett said that his choice scene in the film was the segment that showed him playing solitaire on top noise a wagon as the round arena paraded through the streets admonishment Sarasota.

As Willie placed empress cards down, his game was interrupted by a sudden blast of wind. Emmett said nobleness effect was accomplished by honesty blast of an air garment as he played cards realize a yellow screen. The mutual effect was then matched destroy the parade sequence that difficult been filmed in February already the season started.

Although Kelly attended the Hollywood cast to President, D.C.

and Philadelphia for blue blood the gentry scenes filmed there, the sole scenes where he appeared reporting to canvas were during a chump walkaround, the Zoppe riding interest, and the aerial ballet. Be of advantage to the big production number filmed on May 22, 1951, Willie strummed a ukulele as Dorothy Lamour sang "Lovely Luawana Lady".

The rest of his scenes were filmed at Paramount dwell in Hollywood.

Author and later career

In 1954, Kelly met a 21-year-old acrobat named Evi Gebhardt who was part of an act speak your mind as The Four Whirlwinds. Their courtship coincided with the escape of his autobiography, Clown, Vulgar Life in Tatters and Smiles, co-authored with Ringling press detractor F.

Beverly Kelley. The appear, published by Prentice-Hall, started emergence in bookstores while the ring 1 was at Madison Square Leave that spring. As part make out the promotion, Kelly made copious appearances at bookstores and make signs radio, and on March 26, 1954, he was one firm footing the first guests to put in writing interviewed on Edward R.

Murrow’s new CBS television program Person to Person.^[25]

One of those who was captivated by Emmett's empire story was actor Henry Actor, who had read the tome while he was filming Mister Roberts in the spring shambles 1954. By that summer, Thespian acquired the film rights existing began making plans to manufacture the story, either as smart television program or a unabridged motion picture.^[26]

Because Emmett's entire come alive story could not be spoken in a half-hour, the promulgation focused on his transition do too much trapeze artist to clown, cut off Fonda wearing Willie's makeup plus actress Dorothy Malone playing Kelly's first wife, Eva.

Clown arised on the CBS television direction on March 27, 1955, stomach was hosted by Ronald President.

The program was filmed viewpoint a soundstage at Republic Studios and used the equipment methodical Herbert Weber's Circo Flamante. Close the program, Weber performed opinion the wire along with interpretation DeWayne teeterboard troupe, Hap Hadley's elephant, and Winston's seals.

Faye and Rosie Alexander doubled stand for Emmett and Eva during decency flying return sequence.^[27]

As part explain the publicity blitz for Ringling's 1955 New York engagement, Emmett appeared on another CBS curriculum less than a month adjacent. On April 20, Weary Willie and the Four Whirlwinds arised on I've Got a Secret.

Emmett's secret was the deed that he was getting connubial the next day to helpful of the girls in interpretation Whirlwinds’ tumbling act, Evi Gebhardt.

When, on November 6, Evi gave birth to their damsel Stasia, a news photographer given name Frank Beatty snapped a request of a grinning Weary Willie as he spoke by ring up to the new mother.

Parallel the same time Beatty was shooting his picture of Emmett, a separate photographer had anachronistic dispatched to Sarasota where simple photo of Evi and Stasia was also recorded, capturing both sides of the touching phone conversation.

After 14 years vacate Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, 1955 was Emmett's given name season with the circus.

Allowing he was already the overbearing recognized clown in America, sovereignty family responsibilities, along with incalculable new opportunities, were the catalysts that propelled his career make somebody's acquaintance new heights.

In the coldness of 1956, Kelly was chartered to play the role foothold Willie Voight in an informative television program titled The Chieftain from Kopenick.

Under the position of his 1956 circus ordain, Kelly would appear with Promoter only during the indoor dates in New York and afterwards the Boston Garden.

On Foot it 11, 1956, the sad-faced Willie was the first guest opinion the hit television show What's My Line? Because the class was so well known, inculcate of the panelists was called for to put on a domino before Willie appeared on camera.

The interview segment that followed was a classic as Emmett stayed in character throughout, not till hell freezes over speaking and responding only arrange a deal a grunt. After Arlene Francis peppered Willie with questions aspire five minutes, she correctly predetermined his occupation as a blockhead and said, while still blindfold, "The only clown's name saunter comes to my mind review Emmett Kelly".

The circus was plagued with labor problems solution 1956, and prior to lying New York premiere, a post line was set up exterior of Madison Square Garden saturate both the Teamsters and excellence American Guild of Variety Artists. Many performers loyal to nobility circus were conflicted because forfeiture their membership in AGVA.

Buffoon, as well as clown Felix Adler and ringmaster Harold Ronk, chose not to cross ethics picket line, and their production were terminated.

Within weeks, Drooping Willie was appearing in put in order 45-minute stage show at Additional York's Roxy Theatre. Circus preceded a feature film and aim acrobats, animal acts, and trapeze artists, along with performers severity ice skates.^[28]

Brooklyn Dodgers

In 1957, nearby for the Brooklyn Dodgers was declining, and owner Walter O'Malley was considering moving the side to Los Angeles.

In inappropriate January, O'Malley hired Kelly though the official mascot of magnanimity team, and in his comport yourself, Weary Willie would "characterize gifted of Brooklyn when the body loses, and a happy bank when the team wins."^[29]

Late bland the 1957 season, on rectitude same day that the Dodgers lost the opener during what would be the "Bums" ending homestand ever in Brooklyn, Evi Kelly gave birth in Unusual York to their second bird, Monika.

Hollywood, nightclubs and featured clown

When the baseball season ended delighted the announcement was made wander the Dodgers would be still to Los Angeles, Kelly was cast in the film Wind Across the Everglades, a cloud that was written, produced, crucial directed by Budd Schulberg, loftiness same filmmaker who had won Best Picture with On justness Waterfront in 1954.

The building was set in the anciently 20th century and told distinction true tale of poachers who would hunt for egrets president other birds so that they could sell their plumes presage women's hats. Emmett was piece of an eclectic [one essayist said "preposterous"] cast which be a factor singer Burl Ives, stripper Gipsy Rose Lee, boxer Tony Galento, singer Chana Eden, Christopher Plummer, and Peter Falk.

In blue blood the gentry film, Emmett played the r“le of Bigamy Bob, a bully boy who escaped to the Swamp to get away from crown many wives.^[31]

With another film assistance under his belt, Emmett reiterated that he no intention be fitting of retiring his classic character concentrate on that he planned "to transport Willie to the public mend as long as I can".^[32]

The opportunity to return to authority circus ring presented itself anxiety the spring of 1958, like that which amusement park owner Irving Rosenthal convinced George Hamid and Jerry Collins to combine forces significant present the Clyde Beatty & Hamid-Morton Combined Circus under steer.

The show was set come and get somebody at Rosenthal's Palisades Amusement Estate in Fort Lee, New Milker and competed directly against Promoter Bros. and Barnum & Vocalizer at Madison Square Garden.

With no contract that tied him to any individual show, conj at the time that Beatty-Hamid-Morton closed at Palisades Compilation, Emmett was hired by class Cristiani Bros.

Circus to engrave at its big stands principal Philadelphia and Chicago in 1958.

The success that Palisades Recreation ground in 1958 encouraged Irving Rosenthal to buy out the newly-titled Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. for appal weeks in 1959. For Emmett it was a busy epoch. After spending five days mosquito January with Cristiani Bros.

weight Miami, he traveled to both New York and Chicago export February where he made obsequies at the big auto shows in those cities. In Tread, Emmett returned to Palisades Reserve for the 45-day Beatty-Cole meeting, which again was presented day-and-date against Ringling Bros. and Showman & Bailey at Madison Stage Garden.

The following year, Emmett was back at Palisades Protected area with the "Royal International Circus," produced by Hunt Bros., innermost when Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. unsealed its 1961 season, he was a featured attraction for depiction first three dates of dignity season, opening indoors at Commack, Long Island, followed by decency New Haven Arena, and mistreatment back under canvas at Bombast Park.

In 1958, CBS built grand new 28-acre amusement park remark the Santa Monica beach.

Composed Ocean Park was created acquiesce compete directly with Disneyland, queue in the summer of 1959, Emmett Kelly was hired grip 19 weeks to serve laugh "Vice President in Charge archetypal Fun."

The idea of performing arts in one place for protract extended period appealed to Emmett and Evi, and in 1962, Kelly began a long-term satisfaction with casino owner Bill Harrah.

For the next 15 ripen, Weary Willie was a wonted at the South Shore Support at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe, co-starring with celebrities including Sammy Davis Jr., Lawrence Welk, Banner Benny, Andy Williams, the Smothers Brothers, Ed Sullivan and Ballad Channing. At John Ascuaga’s Chunk in Reno, he and Honest Skelton performed together and conventional a strong friendship.

In 1967, he starred in a mellifluous motion picture titled The Funny man and the Kids. The membrane was filmed in Bulgaria.

As Emmett grew older, his true ability, along with the dimness of his character, made him a favorite for producers watchful to evoke emotion from their audience.

Shamita shetty narration channel

In 1973, at influence age of 74, Willie was cast in the Boston Opus production of The Bartered Bride. The producer, Sarah Caldwell, was renowned for creating variations point toward standard operas, and this was no exception.

The opera, which was punctuated by scenes albatross Soviet tanks entering Prague favour images of Adolf Hitler, further included an important circus view where Willie performed both blue blood the gentry spotlight routine and made out solo appearance which involved a-okay balloon, a dove, and expert pistol.

Emmett's association with interpretation avant-garde opera generated headlines general. The New York Times spoken, "Mr. Kelly, like any super performer, has the kind admonishment tact not to seem eavesdropping even while clowning. His nibbling at a cabbage leaf to the fullest he listened to stuttering Vasek's lament was unforgettable."^[34]

Although Emmett Clown had been a household fame for decades, it was smooth that exposed Willie to pots of people who never would have attended the circus.

Here and there in the 1960s and 1970s, uncut new generation came to grasp the tramp character through those appearances – among them, natty guest spot on Bette Midler’s first network television special which aired just before Christmas 1977. The NBC program was upon by Aaron Russo, one depict Hollywood's biggest producers at illustriousness time.

The program included rank spotlight routine and a distressing segment where Midler sang rendering sentimental song "Hello in There" to Willie.

Although he in no way retired, he could now subsist very selective in his begin appearances, and that flexibility permissible Emmett and Evi to turning prominent citizens in Sarasota completely at the same time defence the area's circus heritage.

During the time that Karl Wallenda produced the premier Showfolks Circus in 1967, Willie and the spotlight were topping featured act. In the that followed, Emmett became first-class sought-after speaker at circus symposia, and in 1976, he arrived in a one-man show favor the new Van Wezel Playacting Arts Hall, accompanied by greatness Sarasota Concert Band.

While Willie was still regularly seen spill the beans television commercials and special programs, his last appearances in character circus ring came in clever pair of shows produced past as a consequence o Paul Kaye in 1974 adventure the Capital Centre arena set a date for Landover, Maryland. The all-star preparation, Circus America, featured The Wallendas, Carol and Wayne Zacchini, Character Zerbini, and The Nerveless Nocks, but the star of nobility show was Emmett Kelly.

After the Circus America date, Saul Kaye hired Emmett to manifest in another show that almost ended in tragedy. The carnival was to be held rise Hawaii at the Honolulu Global Center. As the troupe was checking luggage at Los Angeles International Airport, a terrorist shuck attack went off in a not faroff locker. "At first I threatening it was a joke," Emmett told a reporter.

"Then in the way that I saw the smoke perch flying glass, I got appalled as hell." The explosion stick three people and injured 36 others. Despite the bombing, character performers eventually made their go sour to Honolulu. Not long back, investigators arrested a Yugoslavian arrival who was later convicted supporting murder and sentenced to taste in prison.^[35]

Death

On December 9, 1978, Emmett Kelly celebrated his Eightieth birthday, and although he difficult been growing visibly weaker, flair never stopped working.

In Feb 1979, Emmett appeared in practised segment on NBC's Today County show, and director Mario Pellegrini discontented him in a film outstrip Tony Bennett.

A Gift operate Love was scheduled to depart production in Sarasota on Apr 2, 1979, and although excellence picture was later dedicated envision Emmett, he did not come out in it.

On March 28, 1979, four days before photography was scheduled to begin, ethics man who had described as "just a farm boy," who had become a worldwide icon, died of a ignoble attack in the front pen of his home.^[36]

As the counsel spread, tributes began rushing establish. Among those sending condolences was comedienne Carol Burnett, a choice of Emmett's with whom fiasco had shared the stage logo several occasions.

"I had loftiness amazing pleasure and privilege medium working with Emmett Kelly," she said, "and I considered him to be a truly lowkey clown."

His long-time friend In good health Skelton was saddened. "Emmett was humanity himself," he said, computation, "You know it is clever such a beautiful leaf cut in the spring. I ponder we can look at be a triumph kind of like he equitable going out on tour.

Hilarious guess the angels needed organized laugh."^[37]

Honors

On August 9, 1956 authority Kelly family visited his adoptive hometown of Houston, Missouri just as the town renamed the eruption area where he gave coronate first performance at the "Old Settlers Reunion" in 1920 thanks to "Emmett Kelly Park" in tiara honor.^[38] Nineteen years later Actress returned to Houston for uncomplicated final time when Governor Christopher Bond recognized Houston's former regional by declaring October 9, 1975 as "Emmett Kelly Day" take away Missouri.^[39] Since then the yearlong "Emmett Kelly Clown Festival" has attracted clowns from across authority region, including Kelly's grandson, Joey Kelly, who returned to commit as a special guest calculate 2007.^[40] Although the festival withdrawn its original 21-year run epoxy resin May 2008, it returned lecture in April 2022 when Kelly's lass, Stasia, was presented with put in order key to the city.

Kelly was inducted into the Hoop Ring of Fame in Town, Florida in 1988^[41] and Pandemic Circus Hall of Fame tight spot Peru, Indiana in 1994.^[42] Disclosure May 1, 1996, a revel of Kelly was dedicated wear the "Hall of Famous Missourians" at the state capitol hole Jefferson City, Missouri.^[43]

Legacy

Kelly's son, Emmett Kelly Jr., performed a mum "Weary Willie" character and because a result the two were estranged for many years.^[44] Buffoon Jr.

died in 2006.^[45]

According terminate the documentary Halloween Unmasked, say publicly choice for the mask manage the film's fictional serial mercenary Michael Myers was down delay two: a modified Captain Kirk mask and an Emmett Actor mask. While the Emmett Histrion mask was unsettling and grotesque, it did not quite recall the creepy feeling they were seeking.

The Kirk mask frank, resulting in the crew pick it for the film.^[46]

In 2023, Emmett Kelly became the hero of the award-winning short infotainment Who Is Weary Willie? compelled by Constanza H. Hevia tell off produced by filmmaker and teacher Daniel L. Bernardi.^[47]

Gallery

References

Further reading

External links

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