Bob Keeshan: Captain Kangaroo Star Dies at 76

January 23, 2004

Bob Keeshan was an American television host who created and starred as Captain Kangaroo. Born Robert James Keeshan on June 27, 1927, in Lynbrook, New York, he began as a page at NBC.

Keeshan played the original Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody before launching Captain Kangaroo on CBS in 1955. The program ran until 1984, becoming one of the longest-running children's series on network television. He won Emmys and three Peabody Awards.

Keeshan was married to Anne Jeanne Laurie for 45 years until her death in 1996, and they had three children. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1990. He died on January 23, 2004, at age 76, in Windsor, Vermont.

Achievements: Created Captain Kangaroo (1955-1984), Peabody Awards, Emmy Awards, International Clown Hall of Fame (1990).

Birth: June 27, 1927 - Lynbrook, New York.

Profession: Television host.

Interesting Facts: A long-running urban legend that he fought at Iwo Jima with Lee Marvin was false.