Emilio Delgado, Sesame Street's Luis for over 40 years, dies at 81
Emilio Delgado, the actor who played handyman Luis Rodriguez in the children's puppet show Sesame Street, has passed away at 81.
Sesame Workshop, the production company behind the show, announced his passing through a statement.
"A beloved member of the Sesame family for over 50 years, his warmth and humor invited children to share a friendship that has echoed through generations," it said.
"At the forefront of representation, Emilio proudly laid claim to the record for the longest-running role for a Mexican-American in a TV series. We are so grateful he shared his talents with us and with the world."
For over 50 years, Delgado played the friendly Rodriguez who owns the show's The Fix-It Shop and regularly helped the characters with their broken items such as toasters and other everyday appliances.
He joined the show during its third season in 1971 and has been a steady character alongside his on-screen wife Maria (Sonia Manzano) and daughter Gabi (Desiree Casado). During their segments, they taught young viewers about Hispanic culture.
Per TMZ, the actor's wife shared that he had been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma in 2020.
Armed with his signature singing voice, Delgado also had appearances in other Sesame Street spin-offs such as two films and other live productions and conventions for the series. He was also a theatre actor.
Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Emilio Delgado, known the world over for his role as Luis on Sesame Street. A beloved member of the Sesame family for over 50 years, his warmth and humor invited children to share a friendship that has echoed through generations.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/DnncBZCg5G— Sesame Workshop (@SesameWorkshop) March 11, 2022
