Ernie Coombs, a.k.a. "Mr Dressup" dead at 73

Rudee

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
11,218
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Ernie Coombs has died as a result of complications from a stroke, which he suffered on Monday. He was 73. Canadians will surely miss Ernie Coombs, who entertained millions of children through his popular morning childrens show "Mr. Dressup", which ran for three decades, and over 4,000 episodes on the CBC television network. RIP :(
 

RedRooster

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
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76
He was my babysitter many a day.
A cornerstone of any Canadian child's early years of television learning.
He'll be missed.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
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Was this gentlemen the Canadian version of Mr. Rogers? (From the American TV show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood)
 

THELAIR

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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MichaelD, yah Mr Dressup was pretty much our version of Mr Rogers.

Mr Dressup was acutally an american, till he moved up to Canada... didnt know that.
 

SaturnX

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2000
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Rest In Peace, a true Canadian hero, and entertainer, he will forever remain in hearts of Canadians, me included. I still remember him from the days I used to watch his show.

--Mark

MichaelD: I guess you could say that...
 

chansen

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Yes. In fact, they worked together in Canada for a year. Mr. Rogers went back to the States, and Coombs stayed in Canada and created Mr. Dressup.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
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Ah, thanks. I've never seen that show. I'd be interested to check it out to see how it compares to Mr. Rogers, whom I watched for years way back in the 1970's.
 

RedRooster

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
6,596
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It was less make believe stuff and more crafts and games and whatnot.
Early on, his puppet friends were named Casey and Finnigan and they lived in a treehouse. There was only ONE show where they showed the inside of the treehouse, I'm wondering how many other Canadians saw that one, it was the first and last time we ever got to see inside! :)
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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Wow, he was 73? He didn't look 73 to me... didn't he just leave the show like last year too?