Bob McGrath, original star of Sesame Street who started on the show in 1967 dies at 90

Bob McGrath who was one of the original stars of Sesame Street has passed away at the age of 91.

McGrath featured in the pilot in 1969 and continued to star in a further 47 season.

News of the actor’s death was shared by the family on his official Facebook page. 

‘Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family,’ said a post on the entertainer’s Facebook page.

McGrath finally stopped acting on Sesame Street with his last episode entitled Having a Ball in 2017.

McGrath conducted lessons for children through his puppeteering and also wrote original sons for the production including People in Your Neighborhood, Sing a Song, If You’re Happy And You Know It and the Sesame Street theme song.

Bob McGrathm one of the original stars of Sesame Street has passed away at the age of 91

The four regular hosts of Sesame Street are pictured during its first season. Seen from left, Bob McGrath, Matt Robinson, Will Lee and Loretta Long

McGrath was one of four cast members hired for the launch of Sesame Street in 1969, playing a character named Bob alongside Matt Robinson as Gordon, Loretta Long as Susan and Will Lee as Mr. Hooper.

‘We’ve always looked at children as just short people,’ McGrath told the Sun-Times in 1998. ‘We’ve never talked down to them.’

‘The kids we were meant to reach, I think we’ve reached,’ McGrath added. ‘They’ve grown up. They’re in their 30s now. They have kids of their own, our Sesame Seeds, and they come up to me and say: “Thank you very much. It made a major difference in our lives.”‘ 

Although McGrath finally stepped away from appearing in front of the lens for Sesame Street in 2017, he continued to work behind the scenes with the Sesame Workshop.

Bob McGrath celebrated his 90th birthday in June, pictured above

He would still appear at public events relating to the television franchise serving as an advocate for the show.

He also starred in numerous Sesame Street productions over the years including standalone films, sing-alongs, holiday specials, video games and more. 

His last appearance was in the documentary film Sesame Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street in 2021. 

Before Sesame Street, McGrath sang the hits of the week as part of the vocal ensemble on conductor Mitch Miller’s 1960s NBC series Sing Along With Mitch. 

He was one of the longest-standing human adult cast members on the series and is  survived by his wife, Ann,  and their three kids, plus five grandchildren.

Sesame Street cast member Bob McGrath is pictured in December 2021

Bob McGrath is pictured in 2008