Bob McGraw, the original “Sesame Street” cast who portrayed friendly music teacher Bob Johnson for more than four decades, has died. He was 90 years old.
Sesame Workshop confirmed McGraw’s death in a statement shared on USA Today and Twitter on Sunday.
“Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for more than 50 years,” the statement said. brought.”
The Illinois-born actor was a veteran of the children’s series and was one of four non-Muppet characters when the show first premiered on November 10, 1969.
Sesame Workshop said on Twitter that McGrath is a “universally respected artist.”
“Bob’s rich tenor has filled the airwaves and concert halls countless times, from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Tokyo,” the release said. “We will always be 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’s family shared a statement on the late actor’s Facebook page on Sunday, writing that they had “some sad news to share.”
“Our father Bob McGrath passed away today,” the statement said. “She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family.”
McGrath sang several iconic songs for the show including “Sing, Sing a Song” and “The People in Your Neighborhood”.
McGrath remained on the show for the first 46 seasons, sharing scenes with characters such as Oscar the Grouch, voiced by Carol Spinney. In 2016 it was announced that McGrath, Emilio Delgado (Louis) and Roscoe Orman (Gordon) would not return for season 47.
Delgado died in March two years after being diagnosed with blood cancer.