Beloved ‘Sesame Street’ Cast Member Bob McGrath Dies At 90

Beloved ‘Sesame Street’ Cast Member Bob McGrath Dies At 90,

Beloved ‘Sesame Street’ Cast Member Bob McGrath Dies At 90

“Sesame Street” star Bob McGrath has passed away at the age of 90.

McGrath had been a cast member of the beloved children’s television series since its debut in 1969.

His death was announced via a statement from his family, released on his Facebook page.

“Hello Facebook friends, the McGrath family has some sad news to share,” the short statement begins, “Our father, Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family,” the statement concluded.

McGrath is best known for playing “Sesame Street” resident Bob Johnson.

‘Sesame Workshop’ Pays Tribute To McGrath’s Legacy On Social Media

Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years.
1/4 pic.twitter.com/juhlmbHo23
— Sesame Workshop (@SesameWorkshop) December 5, 2022

In a Twitter thread published shortly following the announcement of McGrath’s passing, the official Sesame Workshop paid tribute to the longtime “Sesame Street” star.

“A founding cast member, Bob embodied the melodies of ‘Sesame Street’ like no one else, and his performance brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world,” Sesame Workshop tweeted, “Whether teaching them the ABCs, the people in their neighborhood, or the simple joy of feeling music in their hearts. A revered performer worldwide, Bob’s rich tenor filled airwaves and concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Toyko 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,” Sesame Workshop’s thread concludes.

Celebs And Fans Pay Tribute To The Beloved ‘Sesame Street’ Cast Member

I first met Bob McGrath in 1969 when he & my Dad Matt starred on Sesame Street. He was the nicest, sweetest, kindest man. My brother and I got to be in this scene with him…
Rest in peace , Bob McGrath.
You were so loved all over the world
Say hello to my pops
?????? pic.twitter.com/eELdtuzYfM
— Holly Robinson Peete ??♍️ (@hollyrpeete) December 4, 2022

McGrath’s legacy has undoubtedly impacted many fans around the world, including his fellow entertainers.

Actress Holly Robinson Peete took to Twitter to share a vintage clip of her younger self feeding a goat with McGrath!

“I first met Bob McGrath in 1969 when he & my Dad Matt starred on ‘Sesame Street.’ He was the nicest, sweetest, kindest man. My brother and I got to be in this scene with him. Rest in peace, Bob McGrath. You were so loved around the world. Say hello to my pops,” the “21 Jump Street” star tweeted.

TheatherMedia’s David Gordon tweeted about a memorable encounter with McGrath.

“Met Bob McGrath at a show we were both seeing once. I was like, ‘omigod you’re Bob!’ and he was like ‘I sure am!’ and then I asked him to sign something for me and he did. He was exactly like anyone who grew up watching ‘Sesame Street’ hoped he’d be,” Gordon tweeted.

Questlove paid tribute to McGrath on his social media accounts as well.

“Bob McGrath. LEGEND. spent his life educating all of us. @sesamestreet Thank you for a lifetime of service, Rest East” he shared.

Bob McGrath.
LEGEND.
Spent his life educating all of us.@sesamestreet
Thank you for a lifetime of service.
??????????
Rest East. https://t.co/kSM1IC2Npq
— Dr. Love (@questlove) December 5, 2022

A Twitter account that specializes in commemorating the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade shared footage of McGrath on a float with some of his “Sesame Street” buddies from 1980! McGrath sang “Keep Christmas With You” during the NBC telecast of the parade’s broadcast.

It is with a heavy heart that we learn about the passing of Bob McGrath.
From 1974 to 2012, Bob rode aboard the Sesame Street floats alongside the cast and Muppets.
Here’s a special moment on the 1980 Parade’s NBC telecast, when he sang Keep Christmas With You.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/iuFiHO89zL
— Macy’s Parade History (@MacysHistory) December 4, 2022

“It is with a heavy heart we learn about the passing of Bob McGrath,” Macy’s Parade History’s tribute begins, “From 1974 to 2012, Bob rode aboard the ‘Sesame Street’ alongside the cast and Muppets…”

Radio host Eric Alper included a fact about McGrath’s legacy on “Sesame Street” in his tribute. Alper tweeted, “He was 1 of the 4 non-Muppet cast members that we met each day when the show started in 1969, and he will be sadly missed.”

McGrath completed his run on the series five years ago, according to CNN, but his departure from the series did not mark the end of McGrath’s relationship with the series; the outlet also reports McGrath continued to represent the show through public appearances following his departure.