'Captain Kangaroo' character creator Cosmo Allegretti dies at 86

  

August 8, 2013 (NEW YORK) -- Captain Kangaroo character creator Cosmo Allegretti, known best as puppets like Grandfather Clock and Dancing Bear on the children's TV show, 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."

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