NAMES IN THE NEWS : Keeshan Traded Law for TV

LAFAYETTE, La. — Captain Kangaroo--Bob Keeshan--gave up a career in law when he moved into children’s television more than 40 years ago, and he has no regrets.

“What I’m doing is pretty much like being a lawyer,” he said. “Most lawyers are actors anyway.”

Keeshan was hired as an assistant to Buffalo Bob Smith of “Howdy Doody” fame in the late 1940s. Television was in its infancy then, and few people knew how it would progress, Keeshan said.

“In five years, there were 30 million sets, and all the radio actors wanted to become television actors,” Keeshan said Saturday at an anniversary celebration for Acadiana Oaks Hospital, where he was guest of honor.

Keeshan, 63, created the role of Captain Kangaroo in 1955.