samati75
01-23-2004, 11:49 AM
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,109332,00.html
QUECHEE, Vt. — Bob Keeshan (search), star of television's "Captain Kangaroo," has died, his family said Friday.
The beloved actor and TV personality from the long-running children's show was 76.
Keeshan died of a long illness, his family said in a statement.
Keeshan began hosting the show, which featured stories, skits, vaudeville acts, songs, games and other educational activities, in 1955. "Captain Kangaroo," which is the longest running kids show in network TV history, ran until 1985.
The program was wildly popular among children and won six Emmy Awards, three Gabriels and three Peabody Awards.
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.
Keeshan started his career as a receptionist for NBC Radio in New York City. Soon after, he began appearing on the TV show "Triple B Ranch," and then, as a special assistant for "The Howdy Doody Show." Soon he was on camera bringing kids toys and dressing as the clown Clarabell (search).
He created "Captain Kangaroo" with his friend Jack Miller for CBS. Keeshan was not only in front of the camera, but had a major role in shaping the programming. He also became a life-long advocate for children and at one time wrote a column about kids and television for McCall's magazine.
Keeshan was born on Long Island, New York in 1927. He married Anne Jeanne Laurie, 1950 and the couple had three children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
QUECHEE, Vt. — Bob Keeshan (search), star of television's "Captain Kangaroo," has died, his family said Friday.
The beloved actor and TV personality from the long-running children's show was 76.
Keeshan died of a long illness, his family said in a statement.
Keeshan began hosting the show, which featured stories, skits, vaudeville acts, songs, games and other educational activities, in 1955. "Captain Kangaroo," which is the longest running kids show in network TV history, ran until 1985.
The program was wildly popular among children and won six Emmy Awards, three Gabriels and three Peabody Awards.
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.
Keeshan started his career as a receptionist for NBC Radio in New York City. Soon after, he began appearing on the TV show "Triple B Ranch," and then, as a special assistant for "The Howdy Doody Show." Soon he was on camera bringing kids toys and dressing as the clown Clarabell (search).
He created "Captain Kangaroo" with his friend Jack Miller for CBS. Keeshan was not only in front of the camera, but had a major role in shaping the programming. He also became a life-long advocate for children and at one time wrote a column about kids and television for McCall's magazine.
Keeshan was born on Long Island, New York in 1927. He married Anne Jeanne Laurie, 1950 and the couple had three children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.