Bill Jackson (television personality) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Jackson
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Jackson greets viewers at a personal appearance at a Chicago area mall, 1969.
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Bill Ray Jackson
September 15, 1935 Unionville, Missouri, U.S.
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| Died | January 17, 2022 (aged 86) Paso Robles, California, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) | Jo |
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Bill Ray Jackson (born September 15, 1935 – died January 17, 2022) was a talented American TV star, cartoonist, and teacher. He was most famous for hosting popular kids' shows like The BJ and Dirty Dragon Show and Gigglesnort Hotel.
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Bill Jackson's Early Life and Career
Bill Jackson was born in Unionville, Missouri. His dad worked with a traveling carnival. Bill loved comic strips and comic books. His favorites were Li'l Abner and Donald Duck.
He studied television production at the University of Missouri. He graduated in 1957. But he didn't get into puppets until later.
First TV Jobs
Bill's first job in TV was at KTVO in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was a weatherman and an artist there. After one year, Bill joined the Army. He worked for the Armed Forces Network in Hollywood. This is where he made his very first puppets!
Starting Children's TV
In 1960, Bill started hosting kids' TV shows. His first show was in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was called Popeye and Little Rascals Club. This show ran for two years. It was very popular!
Because of its success, Bill moved to Indianapolis. He hosted the Mickey Mouse Club on WLWI. This show later became The Bill Jackson Show. Here, he created his most famous character, Dirty Dragon. Dirty Dragon was based on one of Bill's friends.
Bill said his show "Cartoon Town" was like the small town he grew up in. Some of his puppet characters were even based on his neighbors.
Moving to Chicago
Bill's work caught the eye of WBBM-TV in Chicago. In 1965, they gave him a show. It was called Clown Alley during the week. On Sunday mornings, it was Here Comes Freckles.
Even though critics loved the show, it didn't get many viewers. This was because it aired very early in the morning. So, the show was canceled after two seasons. Bill played Freckles the Clown. Later, he usually played himself, or "B.J.", as his puppets called him.
Bill Jackson's Chicago Shows
Bill Jackson's talent was noticed again. He was hired by another Chicago station, WFLD. They wanted a show to compete with the popular Garfield Goose and Friends.
Cartoon Town and Dirty Dragon
In 1968, Bill created a new show. It was first called Cartoon Town. Later, it was renamed The BJ and Dirty Dragon Show. Bill played the mayor of Cartoon Town. He created many beloved characters. These included Dirty Dragon, "Weird", "Wally Goodscout", "Mother Plumtree", and the "Old Professor". There was also a clay monument called "Blob" that could change shape.
Bill wrote and produced the show. He did all the puppet voices. He also built and designed the sets and puppets. The show featured many cartoons. These included Underdog, Popeye, and George of the Jungle.
The show ran for five years on WFLD. It ended when the station's owner changed. The last episode aired on July 27, 1973. One month later, The BJ & Dirty Dragon Show moved to WGN. It ran there for another year.
BJ's Bunch
During this time, Bill also worked in New York. He produced and hosted another show called BJ's Bunch. It featured many of the same characters. In the fall of 1974, WGN canceled The BJ & Dirty Dragon Show. After that, Bill made a special holiday show called A Gift For Granny. It aired on WMAQ-TV in Chicago.
Later Career and Legacy
Bill Jackson and his puppets next appeared in Gigglesnort Hotel in 1975. This show was about education. It brought back most of the old Cartoon Town characters. It also added some new ones.
Gigglesnort Hotel and Teaching
WLS-TV, Chicago's ABC station, produced and broadcast Gigglesnort Hotel. Critics really liked the show. It ran for three seasons. Bill said the show was inspired by Fawlty Towers.
In 1979–1980, he made a final show with his characters called Firehouse Follies. After this, Bill left TV. He taught at the California Institute of the Arts for 12 years. He retired from teaching in 1990.
In a 2001 interview, Bill shared some of his feelings. He felt it was hard to fit into the rules for kids' shows on big TV networks. He said he wasn't "teachy" enough for PBS. He also felt he wasn't "worthy" enough for Nickelodeon.
Gigglesnort Hotel was shown across the country. Reruns continued to air in Chicago until 1985. Some episodes were released on video in the 1980s. These included two holiday specials Bill made in California.
Awards and Recognition
In his later years, Bill started a website. He sold DVDs of his old shows online. He lived quietly in California with his wife, Jo.
Bill's shows won two Iris Awards. These were for the best local children's show in the United States. He also won local Emmys for his shows and his work in them.
In 2005, he joined the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in Chicago. Ten years earlier, he gave all his original puppets to Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications.
In 2008, he wrote a book about his life. It was called The Only Kid on the Carnival. In 2009, he made a documentary. It was called Remembering Cartoon Town and B.J. & Dirty Dragon. Bill said that many Cartoon Town episodes were not saved.
Bill also appeared at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in December 2009. He said this would be his last time performing.
Bill Jackson's Passing
Bill Jackson was hospitalized with an illness shortly before his death. He passed away in Paso Robles, California, on January 17, 2022. He was 86 years old.
Images for kids
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Jackson greets viewers at a personal appearance at a Chicago area mall, 1969.
