Bob Keeshan Net Worth

Bob Keeshan Net Worth and Salary

Bob Keeshan was an American actor, television producer, and children’s entertainer with a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 2004. Keeshan was best known for creating and playing the title characters in the children’s television shows, “Captain Kangaroo” and “Mr. Green Jeans.” He had a successful career that spanned over four decades, and his contributions to children’s programming earned him many awards and accolades.

Early Life and Education

Bob Keeshan was born on June 27, 1927, in Lynbrook, New York, to Mary Cecilia and Robert Joseph Keeshan. He grew up in a Catholic family with four siblings and attended Fordham University, where he studied engineering. However, he changed his major to theater and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1949.

Career

Bob Keeshan started his career in radio and later moved on to television. He created and played the role of “Clarabell the Clown” on the “Howdy Doody” show, which aired from 1947 to 1960. In 1955, Keeshan created “Captain Kangaroo,” a television show for children that ran for 29 years until 1984. He played the titular character, the kindly captain who entertained and educated children through songs, stories, and skits. The show was a massive success and garnered numerous awards, including six Emmy Awards.

In 1966, Keeshan created a new character, “Mr. Green Jeans,” a farmer who explained nature and science to children on the show. He continued to appear on children’s shows and television specials until his retirement in 1990.

Personal Life

Bob Keeshan was married twice. His first marriage was to Anne Jeanne Laurie in 1948, and they had six children together. They divorced in 1954. He then married Deidre McCall in 1955, and they had four children together. They remained married until Keeshan’s death in 2004.

Illness and Death

Bob Keeshan was diagnosed with melanoma in 1987 and underwent treatment for it. He later became an advocate for skin cancer awareness and prevention. Keeshan died on January 23, 2004, at the age of 76, from a long-standing illness.

Real Estate

Bob Keeshan owned a home in Vermont that he and his wife used as a vacation home. He also owned a home in Nassau County, New York, where he lived for many years.

Legacy

Bob Keeshan’s contribution to children’s programming is immeasurable. He created enduring characters that entertained and educated generations of children. His shows, “Captain Kangaroo” and “Mr. Green Jeans,” have become part of American pop culture. Keeshan received many awards during his lifetime, including several Emmys and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 1999, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

FAQs

What were Bob Keeshan’s most famous shows?

Bob Keeshan is best known for creating and playing the title characters in two children’s television shows, “Captain Kangaroo” and “Mr. Green Jeans.” The former ran for 29 years and earned Keeshan six Emmy Awards. The latter was a character introduced on “Captain Kangaroo” in 1966 and continued to appear on children’s shows and television specials until Keeshan’s retirement in 1990.

What was Bob Keeshan’s net worth at the time of his death?

Bob Keeshan had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death.

What did Bob Keeshan study in college?

Bob Keeshan initially studied engineering at Fordham University before changing his major to theater. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater in 1949.

What was Bob Keeshan’s first role on television?

Bob Keeshan’s first role on television was as “Clarabell the Clown,” a character on the “Howdy Doody” show. He created and played the role from 1947 to 1953.

What type of cancer did Bob Keeshan have?

Bob Keeshan was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in 1987. He underwent treatment for it and became an advocate for skin cancer awareness and prevention.

How many children did Bob Keeshan have?

Bob Keeshan had ten children, six from his first marriage to Anne Jeanne Laurie, and four from his second marriage to Deidre McCall.

When did “Captain Kangaroo” end?

“Captain Kangaroo” ended in 1984 after 29 years on the air.

What awards did Bob Keeshan win during his career?

Bob Keeshan won six Emmy Awards for “Captain Kangaroo” and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He was also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999.

What was Bob Keeshan’s advocacy work?

Bob Keeshan became an advocate for skin cancer awareness and prevention after being diagnosed with melanoma in 1987. He spoke to groups and appeared on television to raise awareness about the dangers of sun exposure and the importance of early detection.

What is “Captain Kangaroo”?

“Captain Kangaroo” was a children’s television show created by Bob Keeshan that aired from 1955 to 1984. The show featured Keeshan as the titular character, a kind and gentle captain who entertained and educated children through songs, stories, and skits.

When did Bob Keeshan retire?

Bob Keeshan retired in 1990 after a long career in children’s television and entertainment.

Where did Bob Keeshan live?

Bob Keeshan had homes in Vermont and Nassau County, New York, where he lived for many years.

What was Bob Keeshan’s philosophy on children’s television?

Bob Keeshan believed that children’s television should be both entertaining and educational. He created characters that engaged children and taught them important lessons about life, science, and nature.

What is Bob Keeshan’s legacy?

Bob Keeshan’s legacy is his contribution to children’s programming. He created enduring characters that entertained and educated generations of children. His shows, “Captain Kangaroo” and “Mr. Green Jeans,” have become part of American pop culture, and he received many awards for his work in the industry, including induction into the Television Hall of Fame.