By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX, Dec. 3 (AP) — Emmett Kelly Jr., who followed his father, one of the nation’s most famous clowns, into a career under the big top, died Wednesday near his home in Tombstone, Ariz. He was 83.
The cause was complications of pneumonia, said his daughter, CherryAnn Kelly-Knapp.
In 1960, with the makeup and blessing of his father, Mr. Kelly made his clown debut at the Circus Festival in Peru, Ind. Four years later, Eastman Kodak signed him to appear at the New York World’s Fair.
In addition to touring with several circuses, including his own, Mr. Kelly went on to entertain at more than 2,800 hospitals and was featured in print advertisements and television commercials.