Weary Willie by Emmett Kelly Sr. @ Time’s Tin Cup !
During the Great Depression, there was a clown character created by Emmett Kelly, Sr. called “Weary Willie”.
Emmett Kelly, Sr. was a cartoonist. Some of his sketches were inspired by the downtrodden look during the Great Depression. The look inspired his art that depicted the struggle during this difficult time.
Kelly was unable to find work as a cartoonist. He joined Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus initially as a trapeze artist.
While working with the circus, he brought to life the hobo line of his cartoons and introduced the character “Weary Willie”. He started performing at the circus as one of his artistically inspired clowns. Most clowns were funny; but, this was a sad clown that represented his story of struggle.
The sweeping up the spotlight is one of the acts Weary Willie is most famous for.
EMMETT KELLY Sweeping Up the Spotlight – 1967