This item from Bob Cline: Tony Smaha said his brother told him he wanted to go to Africa "one last time," even though family members had warned him not to because of his failing health. "He just loved to take pictures and see the elephants," Tony Smaha said. "He loved Africa and he loved safaris. This was his fourth trip." Jenda Smaha was only in Baraboo for a few years, spending the rest of his life touring around the world, meeting famous people such as Johnny Carson, Jack Nicklaus and Joe DiMaggio along the way. He spent 12 years working in Las Vegas before moving to Sarasota, Fla. "He got four entertainer of the year awards when he was out in (Las) Vegas," Tony Smaha said. Tony Smaha said his brother was a pioneer with elephant acts, and was instrumental in starting up the practice of having animals at Circus World Museum. "He helped start the live entertainment there," Tony Smaha said. "Jenda had 'Bertha' the elephant. Everybody around town knew my brother." |
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
From the Baraboo Newspaper
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Jenda Smaha was a unique individual in every sense of the word. His Bertha and then Tanyas were as vitally important to his life as were family and friends. He had a physical handicap that he absolutely refused to recognize and so skillfully presented himself to an audience that they would never recognize and it would not deter him in any way in his life and career. He and his father both had the most beautiful, natural engaging smile that very few performers could ever emulate. His wardrobe of choice was always a well tailored black tuxedo without any spangles, sequins or jewels and it was the perfect fit for his elegant style of presentation. He certainly deserves all the rewards he received both monetary and professionally. There is a fine line between a star performing in a big casino show and the circus ring, but Jenda was circus all the way and when he retired he moved to circus city Sarasota to be among his kind,circus people and enjoyed the fellowship by being a member in attendence at the showfolks club. We will all miss and remember Jenda. He was truly One In A Million.
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