It’s a certain type of sadness you feel when a notable character from your childhood passes away, and that feeling is absolutely prevalent amid the news that beloved Sesame Street actor Bob McGrath has died at 90 years old.
McGrath played the non-muppet character of Bob Johnson, who ran Hooper’s Store. He was
The actor’s family confirmed McGrath’s passing on his official Facebook page on Sunday, December 4, writing, “Our father, Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”
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Sesame Workshop also announced the news, paying tribute to McGrath’s decades of work on the show.
“A revered performer worldwide, Bob’s rich tenor filled airwaves and concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Tokyo many times over. We will be forever grateful for his many years of passionate creative contributions to Sesame Street and honored that he shared so much of his life with us.”
McGrath first appeared on Sesame Street in the pilot episode in 1969, and starred in the series for 45 years—just like his co-star Emilio Delgado, who played Luis, and passed away earlier this year in March.
Thanks to McGrath’s musical talents, Sesame Street audiences have enjoyed many original (and classic) songs from the show, like “People in Your Neighborhood,” “Sing a Song,” “If You’re Happy And You Know It,” and the show’s iconic theme song, “Sunny Days.”
After news of McGrath’s passing broke on Sunday night, people everywhere came forward to express their sadness.
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“A founding cast member, Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world,” Sesame Workshop said in a statement. “We will be forever grateful for his many years of passionate creative contributions to Sesame Street and honored that he shared so much of his life with us.”
