Ramblin' Rod Anders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramblin' Rod Anders
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Anders with his trademark buttons
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| Born | November 26, 1932 |
| Died | May 11, 2002 (aged 69) Portland, OR
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Television host on KPTV |
| Years active | 1950s - 1997 |
| Known for | Television personality |
Ramblin' Rod Anders (born Rodney Carl Andersen, November 26, 1932 – May 11, 2002) was a friendly American TV host. He was best known for hosting The Ramblin' Rod Show, a popular morning children's TV program in Oregon. He hosted the show from 1964 until he retired in 1997. Rod was famous for wearing a sweater covered in buttons, which fans gave him. Some people thought he inspired the character Krusty the Clown from The Simpsons, but this wasn't true.
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Who Was Ramblin' Rod?
Rodney Carl Andersen grew up in Multnomah County, Oregon. He started his career in the 1950s working in radio. He would sing and play music on Saturday mornings for a radio station called KTIL. After serving in the armed forces as a radio repairman, he returned to radio in 1958.
From Radio to TV Star
While working at a radio station called KPOJ, Rod heard about a TV show opening. It was for a children's program on KPTV called Popeye's Pier 12. He got the job and replaced the previous host. In the early 1970s, the show was renamed The Ramblin' Rod Show.
His Famous Button Sweater
By the late 1970s, Rod started wearing special message buttons on his cardigan sweater. His fans gave him all these buttons. In just a few years, his sweater was almost completely covered! Rod once guessed that he had received between 10,000 and 15,000 buttons.
Other TV Work
Besides his own show, Rod helped with other TV events. He helped host the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon each year. He also hosted a Saturday morning show called 12 in the Morning. You might have seen him in commercials for local car dealerships too. Rod retired in August 1997.
Life After TV
After retiring, Rod enjoyed flying airplanes. He even built his own small airport, the Apple Valley Airport (Oregon), near his home. He also loved spending time with his family. Rod passed away in May 2002 after having a stroke.
The Ramblin' Rod Show
The Ramblin' Rod Show was very popular with kids. An article in the Eugene Register-Guard said that children loved the show because of its funny, silly humor. They also loved seeing themselves on TV, which was important to Rod. The show was so popular that families often had to book their visit a month in advance!
What Happened on the Show?
The show started by featuring Popeye cartoons. Later, it showed cartoons from Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros cartoons. A fun part of the show was the smile contest, where kids from the audience could compete.
Rod would begin each show by arriving on the set in a cool mobile tug-boat prop. The show originally had other characters with a sea theme, but they were later replaced. Sometimes, characters like Chuck E. Cheese would come out and sing and dance with the audience.
Show Format and Fun Facts
The show's format stayed simple for many years. Rod would introduce each guest and chat with them. He would celebrate birthdays and play cartoons. He also hosted the popular smile contests. In the early years, Rod played guitar and had a skunk puppet named Petunia, but these were later removed.
In the 1970s and 80s, winners of the smile contest and kids celebrating their birthdays got special treats. They received free Archway brand cookies and Pop Shoppe soda pop.
Krusty the Clown Rumor
For many years, there was a rumor that Ramblin' Rod inspired Matt Groening to create Krusty the Clown. Krusty is a character on The Simpsons who hosts a children's show. Matt Groening grew up in Portland, so he probably knew about Rod's show.
However, Matt Groening has said that the real inspiration for Krusty was another KPTV clown. This clown was named Rusty Nails, and he was a bit sad. So, while Rod was famous, he wasn't the direct inspiration for Krusty.
Fun Facts
- In the fall of 2011, a shop in Portland called Fizz Soda and Candy Shop started a special display for Ramblin' Rod.
- KPTV, the TV station, gave Rod's microphone and an original Ramblin' Rod button to this display.
