TV's 'Captain Kangaroo,' Bob Keeshan, dead

cnn.com ^ | January 23, 2004

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CNN) -- Television's Captain Kangaroo, Bob Keeshan, died Friday morning in Vermont, a family friend told CNN. He was 76.

Keeshan as Captain Kangaroo in 1981.

He died after a long illness, his family told The Associated Press.

"Captain Kangaroo," a children's show, featured the walrus-mustached, bowl-haircut Keeshan entertaining youngsters with his gentle, whimsical humor. Among the show's other characters were the puppets Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose, as well as Dancing Bear and the laconic Mr. Green Jeans (Hugh Brannum).

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more on the Capt.

[petuniasevan]

Big thread on this sad event...


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1063803/posts

[stainlessbanner]

Thanks

I wanted to post the full story for preservation

This is a 1994 file photo of Bob Keeshan in character as television's Captain Kangaroo. Keeshan, who gently entertained and educated generations of children as television's walrus-mustachioed Captain Kangaroo, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, at 76. Keeshan died of a long illness, his family said in a statement. (AP Photo/CBS)

[cajun-jack]

that's a very long thread and deservedly so. Another American Icon goes to his reward, which i am sure will be most favorable to him.

Why in the world don't the networks think kids will love shows like this instead of the drivel they put out nowadays??

Disney (now) makes me cry sad tears...remember the "wonderful world of disney"? when they would take the life of a baby animal and follow it thru it's growing up process?? The whole family could watch together and the color and the story were both fantastic.

Try to find a decent disney movie now!!!

But to get back on track..dear captain, may you enjoy plentiful ping pong balls and carrots throughout enternity!!!

[South40]

Let's not forget the Cap'n's buddy, Mr. Green Jeans.

[newgeezer]

Thanks -- I'm jingling my keys with fond memories of mornings spent with the Captain -- but, from CNN?!

Every hit to their website helps them raise advertising revenue. Don't do it. Don't fund the ultra-liberal media.</soapbox>

[lilylangtree]

Poor Cap'n Kangaroo!

[kaktuskid]

Let's not forget the Cap'n's buddy, Mr. Green Jeans.



AKA Lumpy Branum (yes that was his real name!)

Don't forget Mr. Moose and his ping pong balls
And the glasses wearing Bunny Rabbit!

[South40]

Ineresting memories. I remember watching Green Jeans on a black & white. It was years before I actually got to see his jeans were indeed green.

Lumpy Branum is better than Lumpy Jeans. lol!

[billorites]

I'm 48 and grew up watching this show.

I, of course, remember the Captain in black and white.

Always thought there was something going on between Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit.

[billorites]

Captain Kangaroo is the subject of a famous "urban legend" that goes somewhat as follows:

Subject: FW: Bravery "Never judge a book by its cover."
Dialog From a Johnny Carson "Tonight" Show.
His guest was Lee Marvin.
Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima and that during the course of that action, you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."

Lee Marvin's response was: "Yeah, yeah ... I got shot square in the ass and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Mount Suribachi. The bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down. But Johnny, at Iwo, I served under the bravest man I ever knew. We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. The dumb bastard actually stood up on Red Beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. That Sergeant and I have been life long friends."

"When they brought me off Suribachi we passed him and he lit a smoke and passed it to me lying on my belly on the litter. "Where'd they get you Lee?" he asked. "Well Bob, they shot me in the ass and if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse."

"Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew!" You now know him as Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as "Captain Kangaroo"."

Absolute nonsense, Keeshan was too young to go abroad, but I've always kinda have wanted to believe it.

[sharris]

I am sad to hear of his passing......but his show never appealed to me as a child.

[Liberty Valance]

I liked the Capt. Sorry to hear of his passing. Tom Terrific and his Wonder Dog Manfred were a hoot! Dancing Bear and Bunny Rabbit...Thanks Bob :o)

[elfman2]

If there is a heaven, I imagine him building things out of oatmeal and milk cartons for the rest of time. Or is that hell?

Oh well, I enjoyed all the construction that he and Mr. Green Jeans led me through in the late 60’s. Thanks Captain!

[Muleteam1]

>>"Captain Kangaroo" aired in the early mornings on CBS until 1985, when the network canceled the show to expand its morning news program.<<

Ah yes, I lovingly remember him while I sat in front of my mom's old floor-model Sylvania TV. No remote controls back then. I am saddened at his passing. Although I was much too old by 1985 to watch the Captain, I do find it very interesting that I bannished CBS from my home the year before the Network cancelled that great show.

Muleteam1

[Capriole]

First Ray Rayner, then Bob Keeshan. Frazier Thomas is already gone. Our childhood is over.

[eccentric]

just before school, I guess I was in Jr. High, I learned to say the alphabet backwards from the Cpt. I now teach it to my grandchildren.

[sine_nomine]

What did Keeshan die of? All the media say, "Of a long illness." Which illness?