Emmett Kelly Jr., 83; followed in father’s large footsteps as circus clown
Emmett Kelly Jr., 83, son of one of the nation’s most famous hobo clowns who followed his father into a career under the big top, died Wednesday of complications from pneumonia at a hospital near his home in Tombstone, Ariz., according to his daughter, CherryAnn Kelly-Knapp.
Born Nov. 13, 1923, in Dyersburg, Tenn., Kelly spent much of his childhood around the circus industry.
His father, Emmett Kelly Sr., created the character of Weary Willie the tramp clown, and his mother, Eva Mae Kelly, was a trapeze artist.
At 18, the younger Kelly enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent three years in the Pacific. After World War II, he worked as a railroad brakeman.
In 1960, with the makeup and blessing of his father, Kelly made his clown debut at the Circus Festival in Peru, Ind.
Four years later, Eastman Kodak signed him to appear at the New York World’s Fair.
Besides touring with the circus, Kelly performed on TV, entertained at hospitals and made personal appearances until retiring in 2004.
His father died at age 80 in 1979.
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