COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY – 12/15/1997
"CACTUS" BROOKS, STAR OF ‘T-BAR-V RANCH', DIES - FOR TWO DECADES, HE PLAYED COOK ON KIDS SHOW
William Thomas "Cactus" Brooks, a former Louisville television star and radio announcer, died yesterday at Meadowview Nursing and Convalescent Center after being in a nursing home for eight years. He was 87. "Cactus," as he was known, played the cook on the "T-Bar-V Ranch" children's show that appeared on WHAS-TV from 1950 until 1971. He co-starred with Randy Atcher, who said more than 153,000 children appeared on the program. "T-Bar-V" was the most popular children's television program in Louisville at the time, and it was one of the longest lasting programs of any type. It featured birthday parties for visitors, games, a daily action adventure series and contests. Sometimes police officers or firemen would appear with safety tips; educational films were shown juxtaposed with old cartoons, all thrown in with Brooks' own special humor. He would not memorize his scripts or rehearse; the show's accordionist would simply tell him the plot while he was putting on his costume. Thousands of children idolized the man with a painted face who wore overalls with large safety pins and a battered hat. Brooks, the brother of actor-comedian Foster Brooks, became a radio announcer to supplement the income from his regular job at Reynolds Metals Co. But his talents weren't immediately recognized: He would get nervous and stammer in front of the microphone to the point that WHAS program director Dick Fischer told him he'd never make it and should find another line of work. The change came when Western star Roy Starkey was doing a radio show at WHAS and needed someone to do an old man's voice. Brooks volunteered, took his teeth out, did the voice, and a star was born. When WHAS learned he could do such things, he was cast in a radio called "Circle Star Ranch," which featured local children. When children appearing on the radio show learned that WHAS would have a TV station as well, they asked whether Cactus would also be on TV. The program director knew a good thing when he saw it and quickly agreed. T-Bar-V went on the air March 28, 1950, the second broadcasting day of WHAS-TV. Brooks also starred on the daily program "Ladies Day" and on "Hayloft Hoedown," once rated by Pulse Survey as the top local TV show. Brooks never really lost his TV persona, even when he left the station. It was said that parents would call and get him to talk their children into eating their vegetables or brushing their teeth when their own efforts had been fruitless. In 1962, he received the first Silver Horseshoe Award, given to a person who had made a difference in the community and in youth development. Brooks performed at benefits and at homes for troubled teenagers and was also active in the WHAS Crusade for Children. He was a member of Beargrass Christian Church. Besides his brother, he is survived by two sons, Tom Brooks Jr. and Ralph Richards; two daughters, Janet Potter and Jeanne Magruder; another brother, Pleasant Brooks Jr.; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pearson Ratterman Bros. Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road, with burial in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. Memorial gifts may go to the Crusade for Children.
"CACTUS" BROOKS, STAR OF ‘T-BAR-V RANCH', DIES - FOR TWO DECADES, HE PLAYED COOK ON KIDS SHOW
William Thomas "Cactus" Brooks, a former Louisville television star and radio announcer, died yesterday at Meadowview Nursing and Convalescent Center after being in a nursing home for eight years. He was 87. "Cactus," as he was known, played the cook on the "T-Bar-V Ranch" children's show that appeared on WHAS-TV from 1950 until 1971. He co-starred with Randy Atcher, who said more than 153,000 children appeared on the program. "T-Bar-V" was the most popular children's television program in Louisville at the time, and it was one of the longest lasting programs of any type. It featured birthday parties for visitors, games, a daily action adventure series and contests. Sometimes police officers or firemen would appear with safety tips; educational films were shown juxtaposed with old cartoons, all thrown in with Brooks' own special humor. He would not memorize his scripts or rehearse; the show's accordionist would simply tell him the plot while he was putting on his costume. Thousands of children idolized the man with a painted face who wore overalls with large safety pins and a battered hat. Brooks, the brother of actor-comedian Foster Brooks, became a radio announcer to supplement the income from his regular job at Reynolds Metals Co. But his talents weren't immediately recognized: He would get nervous and stammer in front of the microphone to the point that WHAS program director Dick Fischer told him he'd never make it and should find another line of work. The change came when Western star Roy Starkey was doing a radio show at WHAS and needed someone to do an old man's voice. Brooks volunteered, took his teeth out, did the voice, and a star was born. When WHAS learned he could do such things, he was cast in a radio called "Circle Star Ranch," which featured local children. When children appearing on the radio show learned that WHAS would have a TV station as well, they asked whether Cactus would also be on TV. The program director knew a good thing when he saw it and quickly agreed. T-Bar-V went on the air March 28, 1950, the second broadcasting day of WHAS-TV. Brooks also starred on the daily program "Ladies Day" and on "Hayloft Hoedown," once rated by Pulse Survey as the top local TV show. Brooks never really lost his TV persona, even when he left the station. It was said that parents would call and get him to talk their children into eating their vegetables or brushing their teeth when their own efforts had been fruitless. In 1962, he received the first Silver Horseshoe Award, given to a person who had made a difference in the community and in youth development. Brooks performed at benefits and at homes for troubled teenagers and was also active in the WHAS Crusade for Children. He was a member of Beargrass Christian Church. Besides his brother, he is survived by two sons, Tom Brooks Jr. and Ralph Richards; two daughters, Janet Potter and Jeanne Magruder; another brother, Pleasant Brooks Jr.; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pearson Ratterman Bros. Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road, with burial in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. Memorial gifts may go to the Crusade for Children.
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY – 12/15/1997
"CACTUS" BROOKS, STAR OF ‘T-BAR-V RANCH', DIES - FOR TWO DECADES, HE PLAYED COOK ON KIDS SHOW
William Thomas "Cactus" Brooks, a former Louisville television star and radio announcer, died yesterday at Meadowview Nursing and Convalescent Center after being in a nursing home for eight years. He was 87. "Cactus," as he was known, played the cook on the "T-Bar-V Ranch" children's show that appeared on WHAS-TV from 1950 until 1971. He co-starred with Randy Atcher, who said more than 153,000 children appeared on the program. "T-Bar-V" was the most popular children's television program in Louisville at the time, and it was one of the longest lasting programs of any type. It featured birthday parties for visitors, games, a daily action adventure series and contests. Sometimes police officers or firemen would appear with safety tips; educational films were shown juxtaposed with old cartoons, all thrown in with Brooks' own special humor. He would not memorize his scripts or rehearse; the show's accordionist would simply tell him the plot while he was putting on his costume. Thousands of children idolized the man with a painted face who wore overalls with large safety pins and a battered hat. Brooks, the brother of actor-comedian Foster Brooks, became a radio announcer to supplement the income from his regular job at Reynolds Metals Co. But his talents weren't immediately recognized: He would get nervous and stammer in front of the microphone to the point that WHAS program director Dick Fischer told him he'd never make it and should find another line of work. The change came when Western star Roy Starkey was doing a radio show at WHAS and needed someone to do an old man's voice. Brooks volunteered, took his teeth out, did the voice, and a star was born. When WHAS learned he could do such things, he was cast in a radio called "Circle Star Ranch," which featured local children. When children appearing on the radio show learned that WHAS would have a TV station as well, they asked whether Cactus would also be on TV. The program director knew a good thing when he saw it and quickly agreed. T-Bar-V went on the air March 28, 1950, the second broadcasting day of WHAS-TV. Brooks also starred on the daily program "Ladies Day" and on "Hayloft Hoedown," once rated by Pulse Survey as the top local TV show. Brooks never really lost his TV persona, even when he left the station. It was said that parents would call and get him to talk their children into eating their vegetables or brushing their teeth when their own efforts had been fruitless. In 1962, he received the first Silver Horseshoe Award, given to a person who had made a difference in the community and in youth development. Brooks performed at benefits and at homes for troubled teenagers and was also active in the WHAS Crusade for Children. He was a member of Beargrass Christian Church. Besides his brother, he is survived by two sons, Tom Brooks Jr. and Ralph Richards; two daughters, Janet Potter and Jeanne Magruder; another brother, Pleasant Brooks Jr.; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pearson Ratterman Bros. Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road, with burial in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. Memorial gifts may go to the Crusade for Children.
"CACTUS" BROOKS, STAR OF ‘T-BAR-V RANCH', DIES - FOR TWO DECADES, HE PLAYED COOK ON KIDS SHOW
William Thomas "Cactus" Brooks, a former Louisville television star and radio announcer, died yesterday at Meadowview Nursing and Convalescent Center after being in a nursing home for eight years. He was 87. "Cactus," as he was known, played the cook on the "T-Bar-V Ranch" children's show that appeared on WHAS-TV from 1950 until 1971. He co-starred with Randy Atcher, who said more than 153,000 children appeared on the program. "T-Bar-V" was the most popular children's television program in Louisville at the time, and it was one of the longest lasting programs of any type. It featured birthday parties for visitors, games, a daily action adventure series and contests. Sometimes police officers or firemen would appear with safety tips; educational films were shown juxtaposed with old cartoons, all thrown in with Brooks' own special humor. He would not memorize his scripts or rehearse; the show's accordionist would simply tell him the plot while he was putting on his costume. Thousands of children idolized the man with a painted face who wore overalls with large safety pins and a battered hat. Brooks, the brother of actor-comedian Foster Brooks, became a radio announcer to supplement the income from his regular job at Reynolds Metals Co. But his talents weren't immediately recognized: He would get nervous and stammer in front of the microphone to the point that WHAS program director Dick Fischer told him he'd never make it and should find another line of work. The change came when Western star Roy Starkey was doing a radio show at WHAS and needed someone to do an old man's voice. Brooks volunteered, took his teeth out, did the voice, and a star was born. When WHAS learned he could do such things, he was cast in a radio called "Circle Star Ranch," which featured local children. When children appearing on the radio show learned that WHAS would have a TV station as well, they asked whether Cactus would also be on TV. The program director knew a good thing when he saw it and quickly agreed. T-Bar-V went on the air March 28, 1950, the second broadcasting day of WHAS-TV. Brooks also starred on the daily program "Ladies Day" and on "Hayloft Hoedown," once rated by Pulse Survey as the top local TV show. Brooks never really lost his TV persona, even when he left the station. It was said that parents would call and get him to talk their children into eating their vegetables or brushing their teeth when their own efforts had been fruitless. In 1962, he received the first Silver Horseshoe Award, given to a person who had made a difference in the community and in youth development. Brooks performed at benefits and at homes for troubled teenagers and was also active in the WHAS Crusade for Children. He was a member of Beargrass Christian Church. Besides his brother, he is survived by two sons, Tom Brooks Jr. and Ralph Richards; two daughters, Janet Potter and Jeanne Magruder; another brother, Pleasant Brooks Jr.; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pearson Ratterman Bros. Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road, with burial in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. Memorial gifts may go to the Crusade for Children.
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