Robert James Keeshan (1927 – 2004) was an American television producer and actor. He created and played the title role in the children's television program 'Captain Kangaroo', which ran from 1955 to 1984, the longest-running nationally broadcast children's television program of its day in the USA.

Network television programs began shortly after the end of the war. 'Howdy Doody', an early show which premiered in 1947 on NBC, was one of the first. Debuting in 1948, Keeshan played 'Clarabell the Clown'.

Keeshan submitted the concept of Captain Kangaroo to the CBS network, which was looking for innovative approaches to children's television programming. Keeshan starred as the title character when it premiered on CBS on October 3, 1955.

Keeshan described his character as based on "the warm relationship between grandparents and children." The show was an immediate success, and he served as its host for nearly three decades.

Recurring characters included his sidekick Mr. Green Jeans and puppets such as Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose. Keeshan had a longtime close friendship with Fred Rogers of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'. Each paid visits to the other's show.

Keeshan died in Vermont, on January 23, 2004, at age 76. His grandson, Britton Keeshan, became the youngest person at that time to have climbed the Seven Summits by climbing Mount Everest in May 2004. He carried photographs of his grandfather on that ascent, and buried a photo of the two of them at the summit.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org