James Wall Leaves His Last Breathe

MANHATTAN, (GaeaTimes.com)- The lovable and friendly Mister Baxter, might be still immortal in your heart but the person who made the friendly neighbor of “Captain Kangaroo” so popular left his last breathe on Wednesday. James Wall, who played the cult role of Mister Baxter died in his Manhattan home while he was sleeping, after a short illness. His death was natural and caused due to old age. He is survived by his 58 year old wife Dolly Wall, whom he married in 1942.

James Wall was the first African American to be part of the famous children show “Captain Kangaroo”. Mister Baxter was his brain child and he insisted CBS to incorporate the character in the show. He has been the stage manager of “Captain Kangaroo” since 1962. He became Mister Baxter in 1968 and continued with the role till 1978. It was a very popular and lovable character that gave James Wall more recognition and fame. This role dragged him from behind the camera into the lime light. However, he never stopped from working as a stage manager and continued managing CBS Evening News, Face the Nation, 60 Minutes and NFL Today. He retired from CBS at the age of 71, but was never out of touch with the industry. He became the fill-in stage manager for the CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes, till 2009, when he was almost 91 year old.

His dedication and passion for work has always been revered by CBS, and they will continue to pay gratitude to his contribution to the channel. James Wall had a very dramatic life, with full of incidences and struggles. He has worked in merchant navy and an organizer of USO shows.He was born on December 12, 1917, in Wilmington, N.C.