Holly Robinson Peete, daughter of Sesame Street actor and producer Matt Robinson, hailed Bob McGrath as the “nicest, sweetest, kindest man” who was loved around the world.
Sesame Street has led tributes to “beloved” original cast member Bob McGrath, who passed away at the age of 90 after more than 50 years on the show.
The actor and musician’s family reported on his official Facebook page that McGrath, who was one of the first non-Muppet regular characters on the US children’s show, passed away peacefully at home.
McGrath joined Sesame Street in 1969, as Bob Johnson, and became recognized as the friendly neighbor of several puppet characters, including Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert & Ernie, Cookie Monster, Grover, and Elmo.
In 2017, McGrath made his final appearance on Sesame Street, concluding an almost 50-year career with the franchise.
“Sesame Workshop mourns the departure of Bob McGrath, a cherished member of the Sesame Street family for more than 50 years,” the non-profit educational organization behind the program said in a statement.
Bob, a founding member of the cast, embodied Sesame Street’s melodies like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world, whether he was teaching them the alphabet, the people in their neighborhood, or the simple pleasure of feeling the music in their hearts.
“Bob’s powerful tenor frequently filled airways and concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Tokyo, where he was respected as a performer.
We shall be eternally grateful for his many years of creative contributions to Sesame Street and privileged that he shared so much of his life with us.
Holly Robinson Peete, the daughter of Sesame Street actor and producer Matt Robinson, also paid tribute to McGrath on social media, writing that the news has “devastated” her.
She said: “The nicest, kindest, and sweetest man. This was the first time my brother and I appeared on Sesame Street together. Bob McGrath has passed away. You were so adored on a global scale.”
McGrath grew up in Illinois before attending the University of Michigan to study music. In the 1960s, he appeared on the television series Sing Along With Mitch as a vocalist and established a successful music career in Japan.
His wife, Ann Logan Sperry, and their five children survive him.
