Bob McGrath, original ‘Sesame Street’ cast member, dies at 90

CNN
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Bob McGrath, the actor who played friendly neighbor Bob Johnson as an original cast member on the beloved children’s show “Sesame Street,” has passed away, according to statements from his family and Sesame Workshop on social media.

He was 90 years old.

“The McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father, Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family.” Facebook read.

Sesame Workshop paid tribute to McGrath’s nearly five decades on the show in theme Twitter.

“Bob, a founding cast member, has embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no other, and his performances have brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world,” the statement read. “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 appeared on the 1969 pilot “Sesame Street” and went on to star in 47 seasons of the show. He left the series in 2017 but has remained starring in various spin-offs in recent years.

McGrath, who was an accomplished musician, has performed in “concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Tokyo numerous times,” according to Sesame Workshop. He helped make many of Sesame Street’s most famous songs—like “People in Your Neighborhood” and “Sing a Song”—unforgettable childhood staples.

“Sesame Street” cast member Alan Muraoka paid tribute to the man, calling him a “role model.”

“Words cannot begin to express what Bob means to me: a role model, mentor, or friend. His kindness and wicked sense of humor were great fun, and I loved him so much,” Muraoka wrote on Instagram. “Rest well, my friend. You did a good job.”

McGrath said 2015 interview About some of the points he got from his participation in the historical program. “I learned how important it is to listen, and really listen, carefully to what your kids have to say.”

McGrath, father of five and grandfather, was survived by his wife, Ann Logan Sperry.