Captain Kangaroo dies

Jan 23, 2004 by Ian Evans

Bob Keeshan, who educated and entertained millions of children as Captain Kangaroo, died Friday at the age of 76 after a long illness. Keeshan’s Captain Kangaroo show first aired on CBS in 1955. It ran for thirty years on that network until moving to PBS for its final six years. The show won six Emmys, three Gabriels and three Peabody Awards. It gently entertained and educated as Captain Kangaroo played and interacted with his friends Mr. Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit, and Mr. Moose.

In a statement released by the family, Keeshan’s son Michael said, “Our father, grandfather and friend was as passionate for his family as he was for America’s children. He was largely a private man living an often public life as an advocate for all that our nation’s children deserve.”

After the show ended, Keeshan remained active as an advocate, writing books, lecturing and lobbying on behalf of children’s issues.