David Smyrl
David Smyrl | |
---|---|
Born | David Langston Smyrl September 13, 1935 North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | March 22, 2016 Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged 80)
Resting place | West Laurel Hill Cemetery |
Occupation(s) | Actor, writer |
Years active | 1956โ2002; 2009โ2016 |
Children | Gianna Marie Smyrl |
David Langston Smyrl (September 13, 1935 โ March 22, 2016), sometimes credited professionally as David L. Smyrl, was an American
Early life
Smyrl was born on September 13, 1935, in
Smyrl next moved to California, where he was hired as a writer for the
Career
However, Smyrl was best known for his role on the PBS children's show, Sesame Street. In 1982, actor Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper, the original owner of Sesame Street's fictional Hooper's Store, died during production. Mr. Hooper's death was included on the show in a 1983 episode. Northern Calloway, who played David, then took over the store, but he left the show in 1989 with psychiatric issues, from which he ultimately passed. In 1990, Smyrl was hired by Sesame Street as Mr. Hanford, the owner of Hooper's Store. Smyrl replaced Leonard Jackson, who had played a grumpier version of Mr. Hanford during the preceding Season 21.[2] By contrast, Smyrl played Mr. Hanford as a store owner who smiled and sang to the residents of Sesame Street.[2] Smyrl remained on Sesame Street from 1990 until 1998.[1]
An accomplished voice actor, Smyrl narrated commercials for
Personal life
Smyrl had lived in Connecticut before moving back to Philadelphia with his wife in 2004.[2] The couple then resided in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, located just outside of Philadelphia.[2] He worked as a volunteer performer at regional colleges, schools and prisons.[2]
Death
David Smyrl died from lung cancer at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, on March 22, 2016, at the age of 80.[2] He was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd on March 28, 2016.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "David Smyrl Dies at 80; Played Mr. Handford on 'Sesame Street'". The New York Times. Associated Press. 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Cook, Bonnie L. (2016-03-26). "David L. Smyrl, Mr. Handford on 'Sesame Street'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
External links
- David Smyrl at IMDb