CASPER TURNS 60 (OCT. 30)

CASPER TURNS 60 (OCT. 30)

LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) -- Monday will mark a spirited anniversary: Casper the Friendly Ghost will turn 60. On October 30, 1940, Casper officially debuted in a children's book written by Sy Reit and Joseph Oriolo. Originally, Casper was the ghost of a dead kid. However, comic book editor Sid Jacobsen -- who created Richie Rich -- thought that was a little gruesome so the character was changed to a kid who had always been a ghost. Although many have speculated Casper was the ghost of Richie Rich, Jacobsen says other than a facial similarity, they're not related. Casper's latest video, "Casper's Haunted Christmas," hits stores on Halloween and Jacobsen says the character survives because he's always good even when other ghosts are scaring up trouble.