Buffalo Bob Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buffalo Bob Smith
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Buffalo Bob Smith and Howdy Doody in 1972
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Robert Emil Schmidt
November 27, 1917 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
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| Died | July 30, 1998 (aged 80) |
| Burial place | Grave site, memorial garden Pinecrest Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Flat Rock, N.C. |
| Occupation | Television personality, host |
Buffalo Bob Smith (born Robert Emil Schmidt; November 27, 1917 – July 30, 1998) was a famous American television host. He is best known for creating and hosting the popular children's show Howdy Doody. This show featured puppets and live actors, becoming a big hit in the early days of television.
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Early Life and Radio Career
Robert Emil Schmidt was born in Buffalo, New York. He went to Masten Park High School. Bob started his career in radio in Buffalo. He worked at local radio stations like WGR and WBEN.
In 1943, he moved to WBEN and quickly became very popular. His morning radio show became the most listened-to program in Buffalo. His success caught the attention of NBC, a major television network. They brought him to New York City after World War II. There, he continued to host morning radio shows. At the same time, he began working on his famous TV show, Howdy Doody.
The Howdy Doody Show
The Howdy Doody show was a groundbreaking children's program. It first aired in 1947. The main puppet, Howdy Doody, was inspired by a drawing of Bob Smith's sister, Esther.
The show started on Saturdays, then expanded to several days a week. Eventually, it aired five times a week! In 1954, Bob Smith had a heart attack. For a while, he hosted the show from a special studio built in his home. He returned to the NBC studio in 1955. The final Howdy Doody episode on NBC aired in 1960.
What Made the Show Special?
Howdy Doody was one of the first TV shows to make a lot of money from toys and other products. It was made just to entertain kids. The show had a live audience of children called the "Peanut Gallery." These kids would scream with excitement.
Buffalo Bob, dressed in cowboy clothes, would start each show by asking, "Hey kids, what time is it?" The audience would shout back, "It's Howdy Doody Time!" This led into a fun theme song. The show was always full of energy. Characters like Clarabell the Clown would often spray Buffalo Bob with a seltzer bottle. The show also used funny words and songs to make children laugh.
After Howdy Doody
After the original Howdy Doody show ended, Buffalo Bob Smith continued to be active. In the early 1970s, he went on a live tour of college campuses. These shows mixed old memories with new humor. One of his shows was even recorded and released as a music album. It was called Buffalo Bob Smith Live at Bill Graham's Fillmore East.
Bob Smith also owned several radio stations in Maine. He had a summer home there and was well-liked by the local people. He sometimes hosted community events.
Later Life and Legacy
Buffalo Bob Smith also appeared in a few films, like Track of Thunder (1968) and Problem Child 2 (1991). He also made guest appearances on popular TV shows such as Happy Days and What's My Line. He was part of special TV events, including NBC's 60th Anniversary Celebration in 1986.
After he retired, Smith moved to Henderson County, North Carolina. He passed away from cancer on July 30, 1998. His last public appearance was on a TV shopping channel just a few weeks before his death. Buffalo Bob Smith is remembered as a pioneer in children's television. He brought joy to millions of children with the Howdy Doody show.
Images for kids
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A robot for kids.
