Emmett Kelly
Emmett Kelly (
1898 -
March 28,
1979), a native of
Sedan,
Kansas, was an American
circus performer, who created the memorable
clown figure "Weary Willie," based on the hobos of the
Depression era. Kelly began his career as a
trapeze artist. He only started working as a clown in
1931, basing his character on a sketch he had made ten years earlier. "Weary Willie" was a
tragic figure: a clown, who could usually be seen sweeping up the circus rings after the other performers. He tried but failed to sweep up the pool of light from a spotlight. His routine was revolutionary at the time: traditionally, clowns wore white face and performed slapstick stunts intended to make people laugh. Kelly did perform stunts too--one of his most famous acts was trying to crack a
peanut with a sledgehammer—but as a tramp, he also appealed to the sympathy of his audience.
From 1942-1956 Kelly performed with the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, where he was a major attraction. He also landed a number of Broadway and film roles, including the role of "Willie" in Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth (1952).
The Emmett Kelly Museum is located in Sedan.