(1898 - 1979)
Emmett Kelly Sr. was born in Sedan, Kansas. His first career was in cartooning. His circus career,
which spanned 55 years, began as a trapeze performer with the Howes Great London Circus. He
went into clowning (portraying a cartoon character he had in earlier years drawn). He worked with
Hagenbeck & Wallace, Sells-Floto, Cole Brothers and the Mill Circus in London. In 1942 he joined
Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus where he appeared until 1956. While with RBB&B he
appeared in the movie, "The Greatest Show on Earth". Following the departure from the circus, he
worked in night clubs, indoor circuses, trade shows and resorts. He was a Masonic Lodge member,
and belonged to the Scottish Rite and Egypt Shrine temple of Tampa, Florida. He was buried in
LaFayette, Indiana in a site near his mother.