Bob McGrath, Original, Longtime Resident of ‘Sesame Street,’ Dies at 90 https://t.co/Yvtsm8EORy
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 5, 2022
Bob McGrath was born on a farm in Illinois. He began performing in local theaters when he was only 5 years old. He had his own local radio show in high school and he became the first freshman soloist in the men's glee club while attending the University of Michigan. After college, he joined the army and played in the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra in Germany for two years. He then attended the Manhattan School of Music where he received a master's degree in voice.
He next spent four years as a featured singer on the NBC singalong series Sing Along with Mitch (which also featured future Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams). When the show ended, the cast embarked on a 30 date tour in Japan where they were surprised to see thousands of teenage fans singing along and chanting Bob's name. After the tour ended, he continued to perform in Japan (including a performance for the Japanese prime minister) and he released a series of Irish and other folk songs sung in Japanese.
In 1969, he was waiting for a bus in front of Carnegie Hall when he ran into his old fraternity brother David Connell, who had just left Captain Kangaroo to join the new Children’s Television Workshop. David asked if Bob was interested in auditioning for a children's show. Bob initially said no but changed his mind when David contacted him a few months later and showed him test pieces featuring the Muppets.
When Sesame Street premiered in November 1969, Bob was one of the four original cast members along with Loretta Long (as nurse Susan Robinson), Matt Robinson (her husband, science teacher Gordon), and Will Lee (candy store owner Mr. Hooper). Bob remained on the show for 46 years. He officially retired from the show at the end of the 2016 season but continued to represent the show at public events.
His family announced today that Bob passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was 90 years old and is survived by his wife, their three daughters, two sons, and eight grandchildren.
Holly Robinson Peete (who I remember as Judy Hoffs from 21 Jump Street) is the daughter of Gordon Robinson, the first actor (of four) who played Gordon on Sesame Street. Her first television appearance was on Sesame Street. She posted this picture of the four original Sesame Street cast members on set and a video of her first appearance on the show with Bob and her brother:
The Day Ones of Sesame Street💛💚
— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) December 4, 2022
My heart is broken that we’ve lost
Bob McGrath💔…Rest In Peace, Bob!
…Joining Will Lee ( Mr Hooper) & Daddy ( Gordon) in Sesame Street Heaven where the air is sweet…🙏🏾
I love you, Loretta (Susan💛💚🙏🏾) pic.twitter.com/FO3RwXUSXI
https://instagram.com/p/Clw5cBKo7PM
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