Bob Keeshan, better known as Captain Kangaroo, died yesterday at the age of 76 after a “long illness.” His children’s TV show Captain Kangaroo was on the air from 1955 to 1985, and I was surprised to find out that he also played Clarabell The Clown on The Howdy Doody Show for five years. A former Marine, Keeshan deplored violence on TV, and his show reflected that, “entertaining youngsters with his gentle, whimsical humor” along with “the puppets Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose, as well as Dancing Bear and the laconic Mr. Green Jeans.” I guess I didn’t watch the show too much as a child, since I have only vague memories of the show, albeit good ones. His distinctive presence will definitely be missed…
