James Wall, Captain Kangaroo's Mr. Baxter, Dies at 92
James Wall
James Wall, a longtime CBS stage manager and actor best known as Captain Kangaroo's neighbor, Mr. Baxter, on the network's children's show, has died. He was 92.
Wall died in his sleep Wednesday in New York City after a short illness, CBS News reports.
A former vaudevillian, Wall — who was credited as Larry Wall — joined Captain Kangaroo as a stage manager in 1962 before convincing producers to create the show's first black character, the knowledgeable Mr. Baxter, in 1968. Wall played the role and another recurring part on the series for 10 years.
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In addition to Captain Kangaroo, Wall was also the stage manager for a plethora of CBS, CBS News and CBS Sports programs, including the CBS Evening News, Face the Nation, 60 Minutes and NFL Today. In 2008, he was recognized on the air for his 41st straight year as stage manager of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
Wall semi-retired in 1988, but continued to work as a fill-in stage manager for the CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes until last year.
In 1994, the Director's Guild of America honored Wall with its Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award.
Wall is survived by his wife, Dolly Wall, whom he married in 1942.