Keating was an immensely popular component of the
Mister Ed (1961) chemistry,
and his sudden death (during the show's third season) came as an
enormous shock to not only the tight ensemble cast but the viewing public
as well. His absence started the show's steady decline in popularity,
despite good work from replacement
Jack Albertson, briefly as
his brother-in-law, then from
Leon Ames, who played Wilbur's former
commanding officer in the Air Force.