MILLIONS of Americans today are mourning an icon of their childhood.
Bob Keeshan – better known as Captain Kangaroo, the beloved title character of TV’s longest-running kids’ show – has died.
Keeshan died yesterday morning at his home in Quechee, Vt., after a long, unspecified illness, according to an announcement from his son, Michael Keeshan. Bob Keeshan was 76.
As the star of “Captain Kangaroo,” which aired on CBS for an astonishing and unequaled 29 years (from Oct. 3, 1955, to Dec. 8, 1984), Keeshan earned five Emmy awards and the love of three generations of American children. He became an advocate for the improvement of education and the preservation of the sanctity of childhood.
Keeshan’s image and reputation were made by “Captain Kangaroo.” Every weekday morning, the captain gently invited children to spend some time with him in his Treasure House, with his pals Mr. Green Jeans (the late Hugh Brannum), Dancing Bear, Grandfather Clock and the puppets Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit.
While Bunny Rabbit ransacked Captain Kangaroo’s baggy pockets (from which the name “Kangaroo” originated) in search of carrots, Mr. Moose played pranks, which often ended with the Captain being deluged by a ping-pong ball downpour.
Robert James Keeshan was born on June 27, 1927, in Lynbrook, L.I., and grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. He was married to the former Anne Jeanne Laurie from 1950 until her death in 1990. They had a son and two daughters, who survive him, along with six grandchildren.
LOVABLE CLOWN
First notable TV role: Clarabell the Clown on “The Howdy Doody Show,” 1947-52, NBC.
Starred in “Captain Kangaroo” from Oct. 3, 1955 to Dec. 8, 1984.
Won five Emmy awards: 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984.
Recipient of 17 honorary degrees, including Dartmouth College, Middlebury University, Bucknell University, Rhode Island College, Fordham, Indiana State University, Marquette University and St. Joseph’s College.
Wrote nine books.
Inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame, Milwaukee, in 1990.