
Actor, recording artist, author, and original cast member on Sesame Street, Bob McGrath, passed away on December 4, 2022 from complications from a stroke at his home in Norwood, New Jersey at age 90.
News of his passing was shared on his official Facebook page by his family:
Robert Emmett McGrath was born on June 13, 1932 in Ottawa, Illinois. After graduating from Marquette High School, he went on to study and graduate from the University of Michigan where he was a member of the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club and of the fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. After graduating McGrath joined the U.S. Army and lived in Germany for two years where he performed for the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra.
McGrath then earned a Master of Music degree in voice from Manhattan School of Music in 1959.
Prior to his career with Sesame Street from 1969 to 2016, McGrath made a name for himself on Mitch Miller’s NBC-TV television singalong series Sing Along with Mitch for four seasons from 1960 to 1964 and as a well-known recording artist in Japan, releasing a series of successful albums of Irish and other folk songs and ballads sung in Japanese.
In addition to his work on Sesame Street, McGrath is also known for his role in 3:10 to Yuma as well as his many children’s books including Uh Oh! Gotta Go! and OOPS! Excuse Me Please!
REELated:
McGrath touched so many of our childhoods and many took to social media to pay their respects:
There was no one quite like my friend Bob McGrath. His infectious joy and remarkable voice could make every day sunnier. I’ll always remember the wonderful times we shared on Sesame Street. Let’s all sing a song for Bob today.
— Kermit the Frog (@KermitTheFrog) December 5, 2022
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…
— Holly Robinson Peete ????????♍️ (@hollyrpeete) December 4, 2022
Rest in peace , Bob McGrath.
You were so loved all over the world
Say hello to my pops
???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/eELdtuzYfM
The Day Ones of Sesame Street????????
— Holly Robinson Peete ????????♍️ (@hollyrpeete) December 4, 2022
My heart is broken that we’ve lost
Bob McGrath????…Rest In Peace, Bob!
…Joining Will Lee ( Mr Hooper) & Daddy ( Gordon) in Sesame Street Heaven where the air is sweet…????????
I love you, Loretta (Susan????????????????) pic.twitter.com/FO3RwXUSXI
Oh man, RIP Bob McGrath. Our childhood wouldn't have been the same without him. #RIPBobMcgrath pic.twitter.com/xx1KUGV9my
— Matt Knudsen (@mattknudsen) December 4, 2022
RIP Bob McGrath. As a kid he seemed like the nicest of all the nice adults on Sesame Street.
— J. Elvis Weinstein (@JElvisWeinstein) December 4, 2022
RIP Bob McGrath. ???? pic.twitter.com/GMLtTly0Ni
— John Cohen (@JohnCohen1) December 4, 2022
Thank you for everything, Bob McGrath. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/09kK6W2I8V
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) December 4, 2022
RIP Bob McGrath. You were a good friend and wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I hope to help out if I can. #sesamestreet #sesamestreetBob pic.twitter.com/cDvUhtvt5n
— David Newell (@MrMcFeely143) December 5, 2022
When I was 10-years-old, my sister was friend’s with Bob McGrath’s daughter. She invited my sister to visit the set of Sesame Street. So, I did the only thing I could: cry until my Mom called Bob and asked if I could tag along. pic.twitter.com/HzUq05edNt
— Christopher Eliopoulos (@ChrisEliopoulos) December 5, 2022
RIP Bob McGrath, the icon pic.twitter.com/IuDdVMzKXY
— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) December 4, 2022
????Rest in peace, Bob McGrath. And thank you for everything. You were so lovely.????
— Chase Masterson (@ChaseMasterson) December 5, 2022
Bob McGrath’s first scene in Sesame Street’s first episode. It’s an excellent example of the chemistry @hollyrpeete noted between Bob & Matt Robinson (& Loretta Long). This is a trio of young actors charting a new path in children’s programming, & playfully feeling their way… pic.twitter.com/ctQFfzLXwG
— Ken Plume (@KenPlume) December 5, 2022
Bob McGrath and the party… pic.twitter.com/Xg2oSupffI
— Ken Plume (@KenPlume) December 5, 2022
A great example of just how different Sesame Street was in its early years, with Bob McGrath in 1969 just straight-up singing “Good Morning Starshine” from the Broadway musical Hair… pic.twitter.com/SY0j0iV5CN
— Ken Plume (@KenPlume) December 4, 2022
Bob McGrath of Sesame Street, who passed away on Sunday at age 90, was one of the most influential adults in my early childhood; as much a teacher as any I had in a classroom. If you can still sing every word, please share in his memory. pic.twitter.com/ziqaTf1tOu
— Dan Wuori (@DanWuori) December 4, 2022
It was Bob McGrath who sang Who are the People in Your Neighborhood
McGrath, a father to five and a grandfather to thirteen, is survived by his wife Ann Logan Sperry.