Bob McGrath, a member of the original Sesame Street, has sadly passed away aged 90.
The actor was best known for his role as Bob Johnson, a music teacher that lived on the iconic street. Apart from being one of the few human characters on the show, he was also known for being one of the founding cast members, making his debut appearance all the way back in 1969.
As per the Independent, the news of his passing was announced by his family on Facebook.
"The McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family,” they wrote on Sunday.
That same evening, Sesame Workshop also made an announcement on Twitter, notifying fans of the heartbreaking update.
"Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years," they wrote in a four-part tweet. "A founding cast member, Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world... whether teaching them the ABCs, the people in their neighborhood, or the simple joy of feeling music in their hearts.
"A revered performer worldwide, Bob’s rich tenor filled airwaves and concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Tokyo many times over," the tribute continued. "We will be forever grateful for his many years of passionate creative contributions to Sesame Street and honored that he shared so much of his life with us."
And, of course, fans were also left devastated by the tragic news, taking to social media to express their sadness.
"I thought Bob would live forever. I’m a first generation Sesame Street kid. Premiered when I was four. I’m a prek teacher now. Still watching my old friend Bob. I’m crushed," wrote one user.
"Very sad to read Bob McGrath from Sesame Street has passed away. They were my friends inside the TV growing up..." added another.
A third described him as "impactful," writing: "So incredibly sad to hear the news of Bob McGrath’s passing. To think of all the millions of people, myself, children and even grandson included, he never met yet played such a impactful part of helping develop us all at our starting points in life. He will always be remembered."
So far, no cause of death has been revealed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
Rest in peace.
