Emmett Kelly, more known as Weary Willie, played the character of a sad looking, hobo, real life clown that amused and entertained millions. His hobo clown was based on the hobos during the depression era. His performances in the circus world and motion pictures were outstanding and unforgettable and he will never be forgotten. Originally, Kelly wanted to be a newspaper cartoonist. He went on and studied to be a cartoonist, at this time he created a cartoon character by the name of Weary Willie. Emmett couldn’t find any work in the newspaper career. He began to get involved in the art of entertaining. Soon after, Emmett joined a circus named Howe’s Great London Circus, he went in as a trapeze artist. By 1923, He decided to bring his originally cartoon character to life, …show more content…
He then moved on and worked for the Sells-Floto and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses until early 1931. Kelly was also a part of a nightclub comedy team through the 1930’s. He began to become popular to kids all around the world. After he starred in England with the Bertram Mills Circus in the late 1930’s, he decided to join the Ringling Bros. One of his most popular shows included Weary Willie sweeping his spotlight into a dustpan. This particular show will forever be remembered by crowds at the Ringling Bros. He got interested in the Barnon and Bailey Combined Circus. Then in 1942 he joined, where he stayed for over a decade. Along with clowning, Kelly also starred in many motion pictures, not limited to talk shows, game shows, commercials, Hollywood movies, Broadway shows and he even had his very own debut in “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Emmett appeared in front of many royal people including Queen Elizabeth, who loved his shows. When the year 1954 came, he released a memoir book he wrote and titled it “Clowns”. He went on to be a mascot in spring training for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957. He worked for them on an off and on basis as a mascot.

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