Emmet Kelly was born on December 9, 1898, and as a young man began a career as a trapeze artist with the John Robinson circus, but made his indelible mark on circus history as a clown, making today
NATIONAL WEARY WILLIE DAY!
As the sad, ragged hobo clown Weary Willie, Emmet Kelly became a household name as one of the featured performers in the self-proclaimed “Greatest Show On Earth,” Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
He was also the mascot for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and was featured many times on Broadway, in the movies and on television. Weary Willie never said a word, enabling him to speak every language and touch the hearts of children of all ages. To this day his image is almost universally familiar, even if people are not quite sure from where.
Weary Willie: One of the few non-terrifying clowns.
•Suggested Activities: Sweeping up the spotlight ’til it disappears.