In Memory of TV Personality Bob Keeshan, a.k.a. 'Captain Kangaroo': 20 Years After His Tragic Death

Photo bylegacy.com

It's been twenty years since TV personality Bob Keeshan, best known as the star of the iconic children's show, Captain Kangaroo (CBS/PBS, 1955-1993), died at 76 after a long illness.

Captain Kangaroo was the go-to show for kids for three decades and, in the process, won six Emmy Awards, three Gabriels, and three Peabody Awards. He also was the recipient of a National Education Award, was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and held a Distinguished Service Award from the American Medical Association

As the beloved Captain, Bob Keeshan was a true pioneer in children's TV, a grand entertainer, a showbiz pioneer, and an elevated humanitarian.

A Closer Look

Each morning, Monday through Friday, Captain Kangaroo would feature Bob Keeshan in his sugar-bowl haircut and long uniform coat, chatting and interacting with an assortment of regular cast members, including his main side-kick, and best friend, Mr. Green Jeans, played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum.

The Captain also had puppet pals like Bunny Rabbit, who was obsessed with carrots, and Mr. Moose, who was obsessed with telling knock-knock jokes.

Keeshan spoke directly to his young viewers via the camera, and made sure to oversee any TV commercials that would air during the show, making sure that consumer products were family-friendly and encouraged creative play for children.

Before the Captain

Bob Keeshan was born in Lynbrook, New York, and, while still in high school, was hired as an NBC Page.

In 1945, he joined the Marine Corps, and three years later, he made his TV debut as Clarabell the Clown on The Howdy Doody Show, a character he created and portrayed for five years.

Later Keeshan was cast as Corny the Clown, the host of a noontime cartoon program in New York City.

Heart of the Deadly Matter

One day in the summer of 1981, Bob Keeshan arrived at Toronto Airport and was on his way to a Parents without Partners convention, where he would receive an award celebrating his exceptional service to children.

Unfortunately, he had a heart attack at the airport and was rushed to the intensive care unit.

Up until then, Keeshan had no history of heart issues, but now he required triple bypass surgery. Less than a week later, Keeshan was doing well with his recovery, which was encouraged by the more than five thousand letters and get-well cards he received from children around the globe.

Later Developments

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

In 1990, after the demise of wife Jeanne (with whom he had three children), Keeshan relocated to Vermont, remained a dedicated advocate for children, and was not pleased with the violence of contemporary children's TV programming.

Around this time, Captain Kangaroo was cut to one-half hour from its original 60-minute format, switched to an earlier time, and later to Saturday mornings, and went from CBS to PBS.

In the End

In the end, Bob Keeshan was ultimately not pleased with any of the changes to his show, and when his contract expired, he eventually ended his reign as Captain Kangaroo.