Cosmo Allegretti, "Captain Kangaroo" character, dies at 86

[Omaha Steve]

Source: CBS NEWS

Cosmo Allegretti, who created and voiced puppet characters like Grandfather Clock and Dancing Bear on the children's television show "Captain Kangaroo," has died. He was 86.

Allegretti, who had homes in Hampton Bays, N.Y., and New River, Ariz., died of emphysema on July 26 in Arizona, his attorney and friend John Munzel said Wednesday.

Allegretti had been a puppeteer but was working as a set painter in the early days of "Captain Kangaroo." He volunteered to make a replacement when the show was dissatisfied with a puppet created by a professional. He gave life to characters Bunny Rabbit, Mister Moose, Rollo the Hippopotamus, Miss Worm, Cornelius the Walrus, Dennis the Apprentice and others. The show, starring Bob Keeshan, started on CBS in 1955 and aired for more than 30 years.

As an actor, Allegretti appeared in films including "Prince of the City."


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57597432/cosmo-allegretti-captain-kangaroo-character-dies-at-86/?google_editors_picks=true

[Ken Burch]

1. Those characters were a major part of my childhood.

And even if he hadn't created them, Cosmo Allegretti would deserve to be remembered for having one of the coolest names in history.

Rest in peace, Cosmo. Grandfather Clock will always be right, twice a day.

[Link Speed]

2. I absolutely lived with those characters

They were real to me.

Thanks, Cosmo, and continue the Good Show.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. I used to watch Captain Kangaroo every morning before school.

My kids watched the show growing up too.

RIP, Cosmo. You brought a lot of happiness to a lot of kids.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. I loved Dancing Bear and Bunny Rabbit so much.

Such an expressive puppeteer he was....

[shenmue]

5. Rest in peace.

[Va Lefty]

6. This is very sad

I grew up with Captain Kangaroo. Many good memories!

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Oh no... R.I.P.

One of my favorite shows as a kid.

[Faygo Kid]

8. Bunny Rabbit and Dancing Bear? Say it isn't so.

Next thing you know, you'll tell me that great reporter, John Palmer of NBC, has died.

What? Oh no.

Never mind.

[BillyRibs]

9. MR. Moose

I'll miss you.

[LiberalElite]

10. some photos -

http://www.google.com/search?q=bunny+rabbit+captain+kangaroo&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=-_kCUoSuD9Oq4AOdsoH4Bg&sqi=2&ved=0CDEQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=799

[Triana]

11. Very sad. I grew up with Captain Kangaroo. n/t

[okwmember]

12. This makes me so sad.

I remember how excited I was to meet Captain Kangaroo and all the characters at the Jacksonville Coliseum in the early 70's.
Rest in Peace Mr. Allegretti.

[FailureToCommunicate]

13. My inner child is very sad to hear this news.

We didn't have a lot to choose from in kids programs back then...and this guy was a decent soul.

Rest in peace.

[sueh]

14. Captain Kangaroo was my favorite childhood show. Thank you, Cosmo...

you made many kids, both big and little, very happy and gave us many fun-filled memories.

[Enthusiast]

15. K&R

[LunaSea]

16. Goodye Cosmo, and thanks

I'm going to commemorate your passing properly.
Should anyone care to join me-

http://www.sciplus.com/p/PINGPONG-BALLS_47034

You know what to do....

[happyslug]

17. Mr Moose and Ping Pong balls

A complete one hour show from 1987:

&list=TLyBKVym-DDA0

I wanted to see if there was a video of his reading of "Stone Soup". Could not find one, but a lot of people made comments about it and how it affected them.

The story, as told by Captain Kangaroo (Through modified, if I remember right no names were used AND as they asked for more ingredients, they talked up the soup that if they had X it would be fit to serve Y, with Y starting as their Sargent, then their Captain, then they Colonel, then they General, then the Emperor). This this is the story, but not the actual lines used in the book the Captain read
http://www.michaelppowers.com/prosperity/stonesoup.html