Biografia
Robert James Keeshan, a television producer and host, was born in Lynbrook, Long Island, New York. In his youth, he served in the US Marine Corps Reserve. Beginning his career as a page at the National Broadcasting Company, Keeshan made his on-air debut as the original "Clarabell, the Clown" on NBC's The Howdy Doody Show (1947). He then became the first host and performer of WJZ/WABC TV Channel 7 NYC's "Time For Fun" / "The Johnny Jellybean Show," hosting as "Corny The Clown" on weekdays at noon from September 21, 1953, to July 29, 1955. Alongside Jack Miller, he co-created, co-produced, and hosted "Tinker's Workshop" on WJZ/WABC TV Channel 7 in New York City, airing weekday mornings from November 15, 1954, to September 9, 1955. The show continued without Keeshan until August 22, 1958, with later hosts including Henry Burbig, Gene London, and Dom DeLuise.
Eager to develop a children's show, Keeshan launched Captain Kangaroo on CBS on October 3, 1955, which ran for nearly 30 years before moving to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the 1980s. The program featured fun segments in the "Treasure House," including Bunny Rabbit cleverly obtaining carrots before lunch and Mister Moose devising ways to get the Captain to stand still while ping-pong balls rained down on him. Dennis (Cosmo Allegretti) frequently asked questions that tested Mister Bainter’s patience. Throughout, Captain Kangaroo imparted values and provided a gentle, caring male role model for children, especially those with busy or absent fathers, to learn good manners and behavior. The show promoted a love of reading, and Mister Green Jeans (Hugh Brannum) introduced children to various animals, offering experiences to those who had never seen them before. In 1964, Keeshan also portrayed "Mister Mayor" on Saturday mornings for a year but continued as Captain Kangaroo until the show's conclusion on PBS in 1993. Over its run, the show and Keeshan earned six Emmy Awards and three Peabody Awards, totaling nine honors, and he was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame.
Keeshan authored "Growing Up Happy" in 1989 and "Good Morning Captain: 50 Wonderful Years with Bob Keeshan, TV's Captain Kangaroo" in October 1996. He also wrote the "Itty Bitty Kitty" children's book series. Widowed in the 1990s, Keeshan passed away in Vermont in 2004.
