W. Carter Merbreier (born c. 1926) is an American television personality, ordained Lutheran minister and former police chaplain for the Philadelphia Police Department.[1] Merbreier created and co-hosted the long-running syndicated childrens television series, Captain Noah and His Magical Ark, in 1967.[1] The show aired until 1994.
Carter Merbreier co-hosted Captain Noah and His Magical Ark with his real life wife, Patricia Merbreier.[1] He played Captain Noah while Patricia Merbreier played Mrs. Noah and acted as the show's puppeteer, beginning with its 13th week on the air.[1] Merbreier originally created the series as a Sunday morning religious program, but switched the format to a childrens show in 1970.[1] The Philadelphia Council of Churches produced the show, which was filmed at the studios on WPVI (Channel 6).[1] At its peak in the early 1970s, Merbreier's Captain Noah and His Magical Ark aired in syndication on twenty-two television stations throughout the United States and attracted a larger local Philadelphia audience than both Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street combined.[1]
Carter and Patricia Merbreier jointly decided to retire and end the show in 1994 after co-hosting approximately 3,600 episodes since 1967. [2][3] They resided at their home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, following their retirement from the show.[2]
In 2001, Carter and Patricia Merbreier were jointly named "Persons of the Year" by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.[2] Both insisted that their names be listed as Captain Noah and Mrs. Noah on the award.[2] Carter Merbreier has also served on the board of directors for the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.[3] Patricia Merbreier died on June 23, 2011, aged 86, survived by her husband, their daughter and two grandchildren.