Linn Sheldon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Linn Sheldon
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| Born |
Linn Richard Sheldon
September 20, 1919 |
| Died | April 23, 2006 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Local children's TV host |
Linn Sheldon (born September 20, 1919 – died April 23, 2006) was a beloved American children's television host. He was famous for playing the character "Barnaby" in Cleveland, Ohio. His show entertained kids and families for over 30 years.
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About Linn Sheldon
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Linn Richard Sheldon was born in Norwalk, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he became a nightclub performer.
Sheldon started working in Cleveland, Ohio television in 1948. He quickly became a well-known voice on local radio and TV. He was especially popular as the host of the children's show Barnaby.
Barnaby: The Enchanted Forest Elf
The Original Barnaby Character
The character "Barnaby" first appeared as a friendly elf. He had pointy ears and wore a straw hat. Barnaby lived in a magical place called the "Enchanted Forest."
On his show, Barnaby would present fun cartoons. He often showed "Popeye" cartoons to his audience. Both kids and adults loved watching his show.
Barnaby's Popularity and Spin-offs
Barnaby became so popular that his show aired seven days a week. One of his supporting characters, "Woodrow the Woodsman," also became very famous. Woodrow even got his own TV series!
The "Barnaby" show first aired on Cleveland's NBC channel, KYW (now WKYC) channel 3. It ran from 1957 to 1967.
Barnaby's New Look and Home
Moving to Channel 43
Linn Sheldon brought Barnaby back to TV in 1968. This time, the show aired on a new independent Cleveland station, WUAB channel 43. This channel is now Cleveland's CW affiliate.
"Barnaby" continued to air on channel 43 until 1990. The character changed a bit during this time.
Barnaby's Appearance and Setting Changes
Barnaby was no longer an elf. He became a kind older gentleman. He still wore his famous straw hat. He also wore an ascot, a blue blazer, and khaki pants.
The show's setting also changed. It moved from the "Enchanted Forest" to Barnaby's cozy cottage. Later, it moved to "Barnaby Park," which looked like a regular park with benches.
New Friends and Cartoons
During Barnaby's time on WUAB, "Casper the Friendly Ghost" cartoons became a regular part of the show. Barnaby also introduced new puppet characters, including:
- "Long John" - This was an invisible parrot. Barnaby would talk to an empty birdcage and provide Long John's voice.
- "Clyde" - A small character who looked up to Barnaby. Clyde wore a straw hat and sunglasses.
- "O.T. the Other Terrestrial" - An alien character created in the early 1980s. This was inspired by the popular movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
- "Ranger Rupert" - A dog puppet who was the park ranger at Barnaby Park.
The theme song for "Barnaby" was "A La Claire Fontaine." This was a beautiful arrangement of an old French lullaby by Robert Farnon.
Barnaby's Famous Farewell
Linn Sheldon always ended his show with a special message. He would say: "If anybody calls, tell them Barnaby said hello. And tell them that I think you are the nicest person in the whole world... Just you."
Because of this, many people remember Barnaby for his sweet catchphrase: "Tell them Barnaby said Hello."
Barnaby's Community Visits
Throughout his entire time as "Barnaby," Linn Sheldon often made personal appearances. He especially loved visiting hospitals to cheer up sick children.
Awards and Recognition
Linn Sheldon received several honors for his work:
- 1992 Silver Circle Award, from the Lower Great Lakes Chapter - National Academy of Television Arts & Science.
- 1997 inductee - Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Later Life and Legacy
Linn Sheldon retired from his role as "Barnaby" in 1990. He later wrote a book about his experiences called Barnaby and Me, which came out in 2003.
Linn Sheldon passed away in Lakewood, Ohio, on April 23, 2006. He is remembered as a kind and beloved children's television host.
