Editing Emmett Kelly (section)

==Death==
On December 9, 1978, Emmett Kelly celebrated his 80th birthday, and although he had been growing visibly weaker, he never stopped working. In February 1979, Emmett appeared in a segment on NBC's ''Today'' Show, and director [[Mario Pellegrini]] cast him in a film with [[Tony Bennett]].

''A Gift of Love'' was scheduled to begin production in Sarasota on April 2, 1979, and although the picture was later dedicated to Emmett, he did not appear in it. On March 28, 1979, four days before filming was scheduled to begin, the man who had described himself as "just a farm boy," who had become a world-wide icon, died of a heart attack in the front yard of his home.<ref>"Sadsack Clown Kelly Dies", ''Los Angeles Times'', March 29, 1979, pp. 14–15.</ref>

As the news spread, tributes began rushing in. Among those sending condolences was comedienne [[Carol Burnett]], a favorite of Emmett's with whom he had shared the stage on several occasions. "I had the amazing pleasure and privilege of working with Emmett Kelly," she said, "and I considered him to be a truly gentle clown."

His long-time friend [[Red Skelton]] was saddened. "Emmett was humanity himself," he said, adding, "You know it is funny such a beautiful leaf fell in the spring. I think we can look at it kind of like he is going out on tour. I guess the angels needed a laugh."<ref>Rick Barry, "Emmett Kelly and Weary Willie Swept Off Stage in Sudden Death", ''Tampa Tribune'', Mar. 29, 1979, pp. 1, 12.</ref>