Sad News: Captain Kangaroo

[adduncan]

Just posted on KPRC-TV Houston:

POSTED: 12:19 p.m. EST January 23, 2004
UPDATED: 12:51 p.m. EST January 23, 2004

Bob Keeshan, the actor who played "Captain Kangaroo" on the classic children's television show of the same name, has died, according to broadcast reports.

Keeshan was 76.

Both NBC NewsChannel and ABC NewsOne are reporting his death. ABC NewsOne says Keeshan's family confirmed his death.

The show ran on CBS from 1955 to 1984.

Keeshan first rose to prominence playing "Clarabell the Clown" on NBC's "The Puppet Playhouse" (aka "The Howdy Doody Show") from 1947 to 1953, opposite the late "Buffalo" Bob Smith.

[AKA2D '91]

Say it's not sooooo!

[Honeykiss1974]

[Sister Havana]

I loved Captain Kangaroo!

[rainbowbrightCS]

how sad, I loved his shows.

[adduncan]

Bob Keeshan, Captain Kangaroo, Dies at 76
15 minutes ago

By CHRISTOPHER GRAFF, Associated Press Writer

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Bob Keeshan, who gently entertained and educated generations of children as television's walrus-mustachioed Captain Kangaroo, died Friday at 76.

Keeshan, who lived in Hartford, Vt., died of a long illness, his family said in a statement.

Keeshan's "Captain Kangaroo" premiered on CBS in 1955 and ran for 30 years before moving to public television for six more. It was wildly popular among children and won six Emmy Awards, three Gabriels and three Peabody Awards.


The format was simple: Each day, Captain Kangaroo, with his sugar-bowl haircut and uniform coat, would wander through his Treasure House, chatting with his good friend Mr. Green Jeans, played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum.


He would visit with puppet animals, like Bunny Rabbit, who was scolded for eating too many carrots, and Mr. Moose, who loved to tell knock-knock jokes.


But the show revolved about the grandfatherly Captain Kangaroo, whose name was inspired by the kangaroo pouch-like pockets of the coat Keeshan wore.


"I was impressed with the potential positive relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, so I chose an elderly character," Keeshan said.


In a statement issued by his son Michael, Keeshan's family said: "Our father, grandfather and friend was as passionate for his family as he was for America's children. He was largely a private man living an often public life as an advocate for all that our nation's children deserve."


Keeshan, born in Lynbrook, N.Y., became a page at NBC while he was in high school. He joined the Marine Corps in 1945.


His first television appearance came in 1948, when he played the voiceless, horn-honking Clarabell the Clown on the "Howdy Doody Show," a role he created and played for five years.


Later he played Corny the clown, the host of a noontime cartoon program in New York City.


"Captain Kangaroo" debuted on Oct. 3, 1955, and Keeshan remained in that role until 1993.


Keeshan, who moved to Vermont in 1990, remained active as a children's advocate, writing books, lecturing and lobbying on behalf of children's issues.


He was critical of today's TV programs for children, saying they were too full of violence. And he spoke wherever he went about the importance of good parenting.


"Parents are the ultimate role models for children," he said. "Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent."


When Fred Rogers, the gentle host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," died last year, Keeshan recalled how they often spoke about the state of children's programming.


"I don't think it's any secret that Fred and I were not very happy with the way children's television had gone," Keeshan said.


In 1987, Keeshan and former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander (news - web sites) co-founded Corporate Family Solutions, an organization that provided day-care programs to businesses around the country.

Keeshan believed children learn more in the first six years of life than at any other time and was a strong advocate of day care that provides emotional, physical and intellectual development for children.

"Play is the work of children. It's very serious stuff. And if it's properly structured in a developmental program, children can blossom," he said.

Keeshan's wife, Jeanne, died in 1990. He had three children.

[PhiPsiRuss]

I haven't watched that show in forever, but he was a happy part of my childhood.

[ZTAngel]

He was a huge part of my childhood. I use to watch him all the time. You will be missed Captain Kangaroo!

[Jill1228]

He sure will be missed

[Rudey]

Breaking News

He just woke up!!!




























Mean joke and I'm an awful human being.

-Rudey
--Who is this guy?? I never saw him on tv.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I loved Captain Kangaroo. This is sad.

[DeltAlum]

First Mr. Rogers and now The Captain. Too bad.

[KSigkid]

It's amazing that he was really one of the first to be a TV star for children. He pre-dated Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, everyone.

A TV legend is gone.