Debbie Weems

Debbie Weems
Born	Deborah Weems February 3, 1951(1951-02-03) Houston, Texas, United States
Died	February 22, 1978(1978-02-22) (aged 27) New York City, New York, United States

Deborah "Debbie" Weems (February 3, 1951 - February 22, 1978) was an American actress and singer. She is best remembered for her recurring roles on Captain Kangaroo.

Biography

Early life

Weems was born in Houston, Texas to Benjamin and Rowene Weems, in a family with five sisters. During childhood her parents separated and each remarried. The family later relocated to Marlin, a town northwest of Houston.

During the 1960s, Weems attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. She played a lead role in productions such as Annie Get Your Gun, The King and I, and The Miracle Worker, as well as smaller roles in many other productions. She also attended the Boston Conservatory of Music for two years ('68/'70) where she captured leading roles in two major productions - Carnival and Once Upon A Mattress. Weems later moved to New York City, where she appeared in an Off Broadway musical, Godspell. Weems was also a regular stock player at the Lakewood Theatre in Barnesville, Pennsylvania during 1970. Weems also appeared in various commercials.

Captain Kangaroo

From 1973 to 1977, Weems appeared as a regular on the hit CBS daily children's series, Captain Kangaroo. In 1976, songs from the television series sung by Weems was released on an album, Debbie Weems Sings Songs from Captain Kangaroo, published by Wonderland Records. She was later featured in an article in the October 23, 1976 edition of TV Guide, called Don’t Tell Your Mom About Debbie, which was about her career on Captain Kangaroo.

Final years

Weems suffered from typecasting, in which people always identified her as "that cute girl on Captain Kangaroo", hindering her ability to get roles for movies and TV shows geared toward the adult age group. During her tenure on the show, Weems' only other role during this time was in the 1977 movie, Between the Lines where she played a small role of "Annie One". Shortly before her death, Weems was admitted to a residential treatment facility.

Death

Weems died on February 22, 1978, falling from the 16th floor of her apartment building. Her death has been considered a suicide.^{[citation needed]} Graveside funeral services were held February 25, 1978 at the family plot in Marlin, Texas.

Despite her death, episodes starring Weems continued to be televised through the summer of 1978.^[1]

References

1. ^ "Debbie Weems on Captain Kangaroo". webspawner.com. http://www.webspawner.com/users/researchdw123/debbieweemsonca.html. 

Sources

• Bob Keeshan, Growing Up Happy ISBN 0-425-12315-4

External links

• Debbie Weems at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Weems, Debbie
Alternative names	Weems, Deborah
Short description	Actress, singer
Date of birth	February 3, 1951
Place of birth	Houston, Texas, United States
Date of death	February 22, 1978
Place of death	New York City, New York, United States