Bob McGrath, an actor and recording artist who became a generational icon as one of the original human stars of “Sesame Street,” died Sunday. He was 90.
McGrath’s death was confirmed by his family members through a post on his Facebook page: “The McGrath family has sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath passed away today. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.”
McGrath first appeared in the 1969 pilot series, playing friendly neighbor Bob Johnson who served as a mainstay of “Sesame Street” for five decades and 47 seasons of television. His last series appearance was in 2017, but McGrath did not step down from his association with the series after that and continued to make public appearances at various “Sesame Street”-related events.
During his time on the series, McGrath appeared in several of the show’s most iconic sequences, including musical performances of “People in Your Neighborhood.”
In addition to the television series, McGrath has been one of the most prominent human faces of the property in various film, video game and sing-along productions.
Born on June 13, 1932 in Ottawa, Illinois, McGrath studied music at the University of Michigan and later at the Manhattan School of Music. McGrath married his wife Ann Logan Sperry in 1958.
Breaking into the entertainment industry, he debuted as a singer in Mitch Miller’s PG-rated ensemble in 1962. Miller had a hit TV series and a string of records under the Sing Along With Mitch banner, in which wholesome singers delivered pop standards. McGrath also performed with Miller’s ensemble for a residency at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas in the summer of 1964. At a time when Beatlemania was sweeping the nation, McGrath delivered “Danny Boy” and “On the Street Where You Live” showroom in Las Vegas.
In the mid-1960s, McGrath was actively pursuing both his solo career and acting. In 1966 he signed with Nippon Columbia, Columbia Records’ Japanese label. For a time, McGrath performed regularly in Japan.
In 1969, McGrath stepped into his signature role in “Sesame Street,” which had been a pop culture force since its debut on the then fledgling PBS network in November 1969.