Kevin Clash is an Emmy-award-winning performer and producer with dozens of TV and film credits to his name, but he’s far better known as a furry red monster. Clash is the puppeteer and the voice behind Elmo, one of the most popular characters on the seminal children’s television show Sesame Street, which this week marks its 40th anniversary with a series of special episodes and a two-disc DVD set, Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days. Clash spoke to TIME about becoming Elmo, the show’s many celebrity guests and why even grown-ups need a Sesame Street fix once in a while.
There’s a lot more children’s television programming these days than there’s been before.
At the beginning of children’s programming it was Mr. Rogers, it was Sesame Street, Captain Kangaroo was still on — but that was really it. Now, it’s everybody. But Sesame Street has always stood apart. The statistics of how many adults watch the show who don’t have children is amazing. I got one letter from a husband and wife who said when they get home and they’ve had a bad day, they pop in the Best of Elmo video. The guy sent me the cover to sign, to give as a 10th anniversary gift to his wife. I hope that’s not the only thing he was giving. But it was really sweet.
When you do live events with children and Elmo, do they see you?
Some of the time they do. Most of the time they don’t. But I’m telling you, they just see me holding their friend. They don’t know me from a hole in the wall and they don’t care to.
You’re that guy hanging out with Elmo.
I’m the guy holding their friend. Ever since I’ve been doing Sesame Street that’s been the case. They don’t care about us.
Read a brief history of children’s television.
Read a review of Street Gang: A Complete History of Sesame Street.
Read “The Year in Medicine 2008: From A to Z.”
