Keeshan, Bob
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He achieved his greatest fame as the title character of the childrens' [[television program]] ''[[Captain Kangaroo]]'', which became an icon for millions of [[baby boomers]] during its 30-year run from 1955-1984. The show won five [[Emmy Award]]s, three [[Gabriel Award]]s and three [[Peabody Award]]s. | He achieved his greatest fame as the title character of the childrens' [[television program]] ''[[Captain Kangaroo]]'', which became an icon for millions of [[baby boomers]] during its 30-year run from 1955-1984. The show won five [[Emmy Award]]s, three [[Gabriel Award]]s and three [[Peabody Award]]s. | ||
| − | Keeshan was a childrens advocate, book author, lecturer and lobbyist on behalf of childrens' issues. He was critical of modern TV programming for children, saying there was too much violence. Whenever he lectured he spoke about the importance of good parenting. In 1980 he was named TV Father of the Year.<ref>[http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/K/htmlK/keeshanbob/keeshanbob.htm]</ref> | + | Keeshan was a childrens advocate, book author, lecturer and lobbyist on behalf of childrens' issues. He was critical of modern TV programming for children, saying there was too much violence. Whenever he lectured he spoke about the importance of good parenting. In 1980 he was named TV Father of the Year.<ref name=TV>[http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/K/htmlK/keeshanbob/keeshanbob.htm] ''Museum.tv.'' Retrieved October 13, 2008.</ref> |
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
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==Television pioneer== | ==Television pioneer== | ||
| − | After [[World War II]] network [[television program]]s for children were becoming popular. In 1948 when [[Howdy Doody]] premiered on [[NBC]]<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E3D61E39F937A15752C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print Bob Keeshan, Creator and Star of TV's 'Captain Kangaroo,' Is Dead at 76 - New York Times] ''Query.nytimes.com.'' Retrieved October 13, 2008.</ref> Keeshan played "[[Clarabell the Clown]]," a silent Auguste [[clown]] who mainly communicated by honking horns attached to a belt around his waist (one of the horns meant "yes"; the other horn meant "no"). Clarabell often spritzed [[Buffalo Bob Smith]] with a [[seltzer]] [[bottle]] and played [[practical joke]]s. He gave up the role in 1952, and was replaced by another actor. | + | After [[World War II]] network [[television program]]s for children were becoming popular. In 1948 when [[Howdy Doody]] premiered on [[NBC]]<ref name=NYT>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E3D61E39F937A15752C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print Bob Keeshan, Creator and Star of TV's 'Captain Kangaroo,' Is Dead at 76 - ''New York Times''] ''Query.nytimes.com.'' Retrieved October 13, 2008.</ref> Keeshan played "[[Clarabell the Clown]]," a silent Auguste [[clown]] who mainly communicated by honking horns attached to a belt around his waist (one of the horns meant "yes"; the other horn meant "no"). Clarabell often spritzed [[Buffalo Bob Smith]] with a [[seltzer]] [[bottle]] and played [[practical joke]]s. He gave up the role in 1952, and was replaced by another actor. |
| − | In August 1953 Keeshan was back on the air on [[WABC-TV]] ([[New York City]]), doing a new children’s show, ''Time for Fun'', playing the role of Corny the Clown, a clown who spoke.<ref name=TV | + | In August 1953 Keeshan was back on the air on [[WABC-TV]] ([[New York City]]), doing a new children’s show, ''Time for Fun'', playing the role of Corny the Clown, a clown who spoke.<ref name=TV/> Later that same year, in addition to ''Time for Fun'', he began ''Tinker's Workshop'', a program aimed at preschoolers, where he played the grandfatherly Tinker.<ref>[http://www.clown-ministry.com/index_1.php?/site/articles/bob_keeshan_captain_kangaroo_the_first_clarabell_the_clown Bob Keeshan; Captain Kangaroo, the first Clarabell the Clown] ''Clown-ministry.com.'' Retrieved October 13, 2008.</ref> |
Developing the ideas from ''Tinker's Workshop'', Keeshan and long-time friend Jack Miller submitted the concept of [[Captain Kangaroo]] to the [[CBS]] network, which was searching for innovative new approaches to [[children's television]] programming. CBS approved the new show, and Keeshan starred as the title character of Captain Kangaroo when it premiered on CBS on October 3, 1955.<ref name=TV/> Keeshan described his character as based on "the warm relationship between grandparents and children." The show was a great success, and he served as host for almost three decades; it ran until 1984. | Developing the ideas from ''Tinker's Workshop'', Keeshan and long-time friend Jack Miller submitted the concept of [[Captain Kangaroo]] to the [[CBS]] network, which was searching for innovative new approaches to [[children's television]] programming. CBS approved the new show, and Keeshan starred as the title character of Captain Kangaroo when it premiered on CBS on October 3, 1955.<ref name=TV/> Keeshan described his character as based on "the warm relationship between grandparents and children." The show was a great success, and he served as host for almost three decades; it ran until 1984. | ||
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Frequently recurring characters included Mr. Green Jeans (played by [[Hugh Brannum|Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum]]), and puppets such as "Bunny Rabbit" and "Mr. Moose." | Frequently recurring characters included Mr. Green Jeans (played by [[Hugh Brannum|Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum]]), and puppets such as "Bunny Rabbit" and "Mr. Moose." | ||
| − | The ''[[New York Times]]'' commented: "Captain Kangaroo, a round-faced, pleasant, mustachioed man possessed of an unshakable calm ... was one of the most enduring characters television ever produced."<ref | + | The ''[[New York Times]]'' commented: "Captain Kangaroo, a round-faced, pleasant, mustachioed man possessed of an unshakable calm ... was one of the most enduring characters television ever produced."<ref name=NYT> |
He also had a Saturday morning show called ''Mister Mayor'' during the 1964-65 season. | He also had a Saturday morning show called ''Mister Mayor'' during the 1964-65 season. | ||
Revision as of 00:22, 13 October 2008
| Bob Keeshan | |
 | |
| Birth name: | Robert James Keeshan |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: | June 27 1927 |
| Birth location: | Lynbrook, New York, U.S. |
| Date of death: | January 23 2004 (aged 76) |
| Death location: | Windsor, Vermont |
| Other name(s): | Captain Kangaroo |
Robert James Keeshan (June 27, 1927 – January 23, 2004) was an American television producer and actor. His first TV appearance was in 1948 when he played the voiceless, horn-honking Clarabell the Clown, a role he created and played for five years on the Howdy Doody Show.
He achieved his greatest fame as the title character of the childrens' television program Captain Kangaroo, which became an icon for millions of baby boomers during its 30-year run from 1955-1984. The show won five Emmy Awards, three Gabriel Awards and three Peabody Awards.
Keeshan was a childrens advocate, book author, lecturer and lobbyist on behalf of childrens' issues. He was critical of modern TV programming for children, saying there was too much violence. Whenever he lectured he spoke about the importance of good parenting. In 1980 he was named TV Father of the Year.[1]
Early life
Keeshan was born in Long Island, but his family moved to Forest Hills, New York shortly after his birth. His immigrant father owned a grocery store and he had a younger sister and two older brothers. His mother died when Bob was only 15.
At 18 he began working for NBC in their page program. A page was a low-level gopher, giving an individual an "in" at NBC, and giving them time to find where, if anywhere, they belonged at NBC. Before he could discover this for himself, World War II interrupted. Shortly before his 18th birthday, he joined the U.S. Marines, and underwent basic training. After the war ended he returned to NBC to finish his time as a page, working for Bob Smith during the day, and attending college at night with the goal of becoming a lawyer.[2]
Television pioneer
After World War II network television programs for children were becoming popular. In 1948 when Howdy Doody premiered on NBC[3] Keeshan played "Clarabell the Clown," a silent Auguste clown who mainly communicated by honking horns attached to a belt around his waist (one of the horns meant "yes"; the other horn meant "no"). Clarabell often spritzed Buffalo Bob Smith with a seltzer bottle and played practical jokes. He gave up the role in 1952, and was replaced by another actor.
In August 1953 Keeshan was back on the air on WABC-TV (New York City), doing a new children’s show, Time for Fun, playing the role of Corny the Clown, a clown who spoke.[1] Later that same year, in addition to Time for Fun, he began Tinker's Workshop, a program aimed at preschoolers, where he played the grandfatherly Tinker.[4]
Developing the ideas from Tinker's Workshop, Keeshan and long-time friend Jack Miller submitted the concept of Captain Kangaroo to the CBS network, which was searching for innovative new approaches to children's television programming. CBS approved the new show, and Keeshan starred as the title character of Captain Kangaroo when it premiered on CBS on October 3, 1955.[1] Keeshan described his character as based on "the warm relationship between grandparents and children." The show was a great success, and he served as host for almost three decades; it ran until 1984.
Frequently recurring characters included Mr. Green Jeans (played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum), and puppets such as "Bunny Rabbit" and "Mr. Moose."
The New York Times commented: "Captain Kangaroo, a round-faced, pleasant, mustachioed man possessed of an unshakable calm ... was one of the most enduring characters television ever produced."Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
Awards
Keeshan received many awards, including:
- Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Alfred University, 1969 [5]
- Five Emmy Awards (1978, 1981-1984)
- Three Peabody Awards (1958, 1972, 1979)
- National Education Award, 1982
- Kennedy Center Honors, 1987
- Induction into the Clown Hall of Fame, 1990
- American Medical Association Distinguished Service Award, 1991
- Induction into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, 1998
Quotes
- "The responsibility of parents is to raise children who do not need parents."
- "Children don't drop out of high school when they are 16, they do so in the first grade and wait 10 years to make it official."[6]
Bibliography
- Keeshan, Robert. 1989. Growing Up Happy: Captain Kangaroo Tells Yesterday's Children how to Nurture Their Own. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0385249098
- Keeshan, Bob. 1991. "The Centennial Essay". American School Board Journal. 178 (4): 31-32,44. ISSN 0003-0953
- Keeshan, Robert, and Diane Palmisciano. 1994. Family Fun Activity Book. Minneapolis, Minn: Fairview Press. ISBN 0925190292
- Keeshan, Robert, and Kyle Corkum. 1996. Books to Grow By. Minneapolis, MN: Fairview Press. ISBN 0925190837
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 [1] Museum.tv. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ Famous Marines Corpstories.com. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ Bob Keeshan, Creator and Star of TV's 'Captain Kangaroo,' Is Dead at 76 - New York Times Query.nytimes.com. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ Bob Keeshan; Captain Kangaroo, the first Clarabell the Clown Clown-ministry.com. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ Alfred University, Honorary Degrees, 1960-1969.
- ↑ KERA: Commentary: Pre-school Rankings (2007-09-06). Retrieved 2007-09-20.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Keeshan, Robert, and Cathryn Long. 1996. Good Morning, Captain: 50 Wonderful Years with Bob Keeshan, TV's Captain Kangaroo. Minneapolis, Minn: Fairview Press. ISBN 1577490002
- Y.M.C.A. of the Great South Bay. 1990. Bob Keeshan and friends: a journal celebrating the naming of the Bob Keeshan Children's Center of the Great South Bay Y.M.C.A., September 13, 1990. Bay Shore, N.Y.: Great South Bay Y.M.C.A. OCLC 23260661
External links
- Bob Keeshan. Imbd.com.
- Bob Keeshan; Captain Kangaroo, the first Clarabell the Clown. Clown-ministry.com.
- Bob Keeshan - Archive Interview Part 1 of 7 Youtube.com.
- Bob Keeshan:U.S. Children's Television Performer Museum.tv.
- Holmes, Linda. 2004. Captain, my captain Msnbc.msn.com
- Poniewozik, James. 2004. O Captain, My Captain Time.com.
- Bob Keeshan: Biography Tv.com.
- TV's 'Captain Kangaroo,' Bob Keeshan, dead Cnn.com.
- Bob "Captain Kangaroo" Keeshan Findagrave.com.
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