One good clown. RIP Emmett.
Posted on 12/01/2006 4:04:18 PM PST by SandRat
Emmett Kelly Jr., a Tombstone resident, was best known as Wearie Willie, a clown alter-ego that made him one of the circus world’s brightest stars. “Wearie Willie was the original ambassador of happiness,” Kelly said in a 1984 Sierra Vista Herald interview.
Kelly died of complications from pneumonia at Sierra Vista Regional Health Center, said his daughter, CherryAnn Kelly-Knapp.
“Up until the day he died, he got letters and cards and poems from fans and friends,” Kelly-Knapp told The Associated Press on Thursday. “The world has lost the most wonderful friend.”
Kelly was born on Nov. 13, 1923, in Dyersburg, Tenn., on a circus lot where his father, Emmett Kelly Sr., was working as a clown, according to the Web site www.emmettkellyjr.com.
Kelly debuted as Wearie Willie at the 1960 Circus Festival in Peru, Ind. From there, he went on to travel the nation, and even acted as a representative for Eastman Kodak in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair.
In 1972, the Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus started touring the nation, including two performances at the White House, and Kelly also appeared on television specials.
Besides touring with the circus, Kelly went on to entertain at more than 2,800 hospitals and he was featured in print ads and TV commercials.
His Web site said there are still products today depicting his likeness available, such as figurines and lithographs.
In 1980, Kelly moved to Tombstone. Having passed through the town several times with the circus, he fell in love with the town’s mining history, Kelly-Knapp said.
In 1993, he was on a float in the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day.
“He was the most humble, gentle loving man. He never got over the amazement that people loved his character,” Kelly-Knapp said.
Kelly also was known for giving time to charitable causes, including The Make A Wish Foundation, The American Cancer Society, Save The Children Foundation, and FACES — The National Association for the Craniofacially Handicapped, according to the Web site about him.
And a weekend event in Tombstone was named after him. Emmett Kelly Jr. Days, which is held in November, includes clown school and other events. It is done to raise funds for a scholarship for a Tombstone High School graduate.
Kelly made personal appearances as a clown until a year ago, due to health reasons.
He is survived by two other daughters and three sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Hatfield Funeral Home in Sierra Vista.
And the Clowns and the World Cries.
So long Mr. Kelly thanks for the good hearted laughs.. May you rest in peace.
R.I.P.
He left some really big shoes to fill! RIP
Good one...as was Mr. Kelly.
One good clown. RIP Emmett.
We had a neighbor about 10 years ago who was going through a very difficult time (husband wheelchair bound, autistic son.) She was Emmett Kelly Jr's biggest fan. He was in town one day for a show and she got to meet him. They corresponded after that. It was wonderful for her, as it gave her something positive and fun to focus on.
According to her, he was a sweet, kind, loving person. I know she must be grieving this loss.
good one .. don't you think he'd have loved that tribute?
If only all of us could leave such a happy mark in the world. May he rest in peace.
GEORGE: You've never heard of Bozo the Clown?
ERIC: No!
GEORGE: How could you not know who Bozo the Clown is?
ERIC: I don't know, I just don't.
GEORGE: How can you call yourself a clown and not know who Bozo is?
ERIC: Hey, man - what are you hassling me for? This is just a gig, it's not my life. I don't know who Bozo is, what - is he a clown?
GEORGE: Is he a clown? What, are you kidding me!?
ERIC: Well, what is he?
GEORGE: Yes, he's a clown!
ERIC: Alright, so what's the big deal! There's millions of clowns!
GEORGE: Alright, just forget it.
ERIC: Me forget it? You should forget it! You're livin' in the past, man! You're hung up on some clown from the sixties, man!
Burke: Chuckles the Clown gave pleasure to millions. The characters he created will be remembered by children and adults alike: Peter Peanut, Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo, Billy Banana, and my particular favorite, Aunt Yoo-Hoo.
(Mary stifles a laugh.)
And not just for the laughter they provided-there was always some deeper meaning to whatever Chuckles did. Remember Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo's little catch phrase, remember how when his arch Rival Señor Caboom would hit him with the giant cucumber and knock him down? Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo would always pick himself up, dust himself off and say, "I hurt my foo-foo."
(Mary again stifles a laugh. The others in the row glare at her.)
Life's a lot like that. From time to time we all fall down and hurt our foo-foo's.
(Mary again has to stifle a laugh. Other people turn to look at her.)
If only we could all deal with it as simply and bravely and honestly as Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo. And what did Chuckles ask in return? Not much-in his own words-"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants."
(Mary has great difficulty in stifling herself here. Many people turn to look at her.)
(Looking right at Mary) Excuse me, young lady... yes you... would you stand up please?
(Mary, with no alternative, stands up.)
You feel like laughing, don't you?
Don't try to stop yourself. Go ahead, laugh out loud. Don't you see?
Nothing could have made Chuckles happier. He lived to make people laugh.
He found tears offensive, deeply offensive. He hated to see people cry. Go ahead, my dear-laugh.
(As Mary bursts into tears, we:)
Fade Out.
Very sad day for clean, decent humor.....
l'enterrement du Grimaldi
Rest in peace. Prayers for the family.
saw him at the NY-WorldsFair... RIP.
One of the funniest moment on TV.
No question!
He was the best!
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