Emmet Kelly became famous for his sad-faced tramp trademark as he wandered quietly around the ring in his tattered suit and hat. Kelly toured with several circuses during the 1920's and 30's. He worked with the Sells-Floto and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses until 1931 and then joined the Cole Bros. Circus. In the late 1930's he was appearing with the Bertram Mills Circus in England. In 1942 he joined the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, becoming a star attraction over his 15-year career with the circus.

Weary Willy was a melancholic hobo sparked with just enough hope to keep him trying. His most famous skit was when he took a broom in hand and swept the spotlight into a smaller and smaller circle of brilliance, and then, concentrating on the last pinpoint of light, he gave it one last brush and placed the entire circus arena into darkness.

In another famous skit, Weary Willy tried to open a peanut every which way he could with no success. Finally, he welded a sledgehammer and struck the peanut, first succeeding then realizing his failure.