Bob McGrath, a children’s actor, musician, and author widely known for his role as one of the first regular characters on a children’s show Sesame Streetpassed away at the age of 90.
McGrath’s passing has been confirmed by his family who posted on his Facebook page on Sunday: “The McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father, Bob McGrath, passed away today. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”
Sesame Workshop tweeted Sunday night that it “mourages the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years.”
McGrath is a founding member of Sesame Street when the film premiered in 1969, playing friendly neighbor Bob Johnson. He last appeared on the show in 2017, marking a character that has been around for almost 5 decades in Sesame Street world.
The actor grew up in Illinois and studied music at the University of Michigan and the Manhattan School of Music. He was also a singer in the 60s series Sing With Mitch and began a successful overseas singing career in Japan.
“As a globally respected performer, Bob’s rich tenor has filled radio waves and concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan visited Tokyo many times,” said Sesame Workshop, “We will forever be grateful for his passionate creative contributions to Sesame Street and honored that he shared so much of his life with us. we.”
He is survived by his wife, Ann Logan Sperry, and their five children.
