Elmo
Elmo | |
---|---|
Sesame Street character | |
First appearance | 1980 (season 11) (as a supporting character); 1985 (season 17) (as a permanent character) |
Created by | Caroly Wilcox |
Portrayed by |
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In-universe information | |
Species | Muppet monster |
Gender | Male |
Family |
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Relatives |
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Nationality | American |
Fur color | Red[1] |
Birthday | February 3[2] |
Elmo Monster is a red Muppet character on the children's television show Sesame Street.[3] A furry red monster who speaks in a high-pitched falsetto voice and frequently refers to himself in the third person, he hosts the last full five-minute segment (fifteen minutes prior to 2017) on Sesame Street, "Elmo's World", which is aimed at toddlers. He was most often puppeteered by Kevin Clash, but since Clash's resignation in late 2012, Elmo has been puppeteered by Ryan Dillon.[4][5]
History
Elmo is self-described as three-and-a-half years old and his birthday is on February 3.[6] Elmo characteristically avoids pronouns in reference to himself, instead referring to himself in the third person (e.g. saying "Elmo wants this" instead of "I want this").[7] Sesame Street staff writer Nancy Sans once described Elmo's origins: "There was this extra red puppet lying around and the cast would pick him up sometimes and try to create a personality, but nothing seemed to materialize."[8]
The character of Elmo was originally conceived as a supporting character and background character by Henson Associates-based Muppet artist/builder Caroly Wilcox in 1979, first appearing in the Sesame Street song "We Are All Monsters", which first aired in a Season 11 episode during 1980. Elmo became a named and recurring character on Sesame Street (during the street storylines) sometime later that season (episode 1439, to be exact), although he still appeared as a supporting character in segments in later episodes of the show at the time. The character was performed by a rotating ensemble of Muppet performers such as
Alongside Cookie Monster, Elmo has appeared in The Furchester Hotel, where he is taking an extended stay because of his fascination with the Furchester Hotel. His father Louie is the brother of Funella Furchester.
On May 27, 2020,
Popular culture
After becoming a regular guest on
Elmo was the star of the 1999 full-length, theatrically released motion picture The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. He also starred in the film Elmo Saves Christmas.
Elmo also appeared in a fifth-season episode of
Elmo also appeared in the eighth-season episode of Scrubs, "My ABC's", along with Oscar the Grouch, Grover, and an Anything Muppet named "Ex Ray". All four characters are in separate fantasies of J.D.'s in the episode.
At the request and with the assistance of Rep.
In 1996, a Tickle Me Elmo doll became a fad toy.[14]
Some traditionalist fans of Sesame Street have complained that Elmo's prominent status has caused roles to be greatly reduced for several older characters,[15] with some referring to him as the "Little Red Menace".[16] Some fans also blame Elmo for the semi-permanent departure of Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street.
In its
Casting history
Principal performers
- Kevin Clash (1985–2012)
- Ryan Dillon (2013–present)
Alternate performers
- Jerry Nelson (early 1980s)
- Kathryn Mullen (early 1980s)
- Brian Muehl (1980–1984)
- Richard Hunt (1984–1985)
Assistants
International puppeteers
- Kōji Ochiai (Japanese NHK dub of Sesame Street)
- Kenta Matsumoto (Japanese, TV Tokyo)
- Davide Garbolino (Italian version of Elmo's World)
- Eduardo Garza (Mexican Spanish, Latin Spanish dub of Elmo's World)
- Igor Cruz (Mexican Spanish)
- Sabine Falkenberg (German)
- Hein Boele (Dutch dub of Sesamestreet)
- Jogchem Jalink (Puppeteer of the Elmo replica puppet used on the Dutch version of Sesamestreet)
- Tomasz Bednarek (Polish version of Elmo's World)
- Damon Berry (Takalani Sesame, known as "Neno")
- Christophe Albertini (5, Rue Sésame)
- Ariel Doron (Rechov Sumsum)
References
- ^ Sesame Street (September 16, 2014). "Sesame Street: Lupita Nyong'o Loves Her Skin". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
- ^ @elmo (February 3, 2023). "Elmo wants to thank everyone who wished Elmo a happy birthday! And when Elmo says "everyone," Elmo means . . . everyone. #HappyBirthdayElmo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "'The Muppets': Where's Elmo?". The Hollywood Reporter. November 17, 2011.
- ^ "Ryan Dillon is the New Voice of Elmo". DailyEntertainmentNews.com. April 2, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ "Elmo Left Behind on 'Sesame Street' As Puppeteer Kevin Clash Exits Amid Underage Sex Scandal". The New York Times. November 21, 2012.
- ^ "This Week in Sesame Street: Elmo's Birthday". Sesame Workshop. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
- ^ a b "Why does Elmo refer to himself in the third person? Won't this teach kids improper English?". Frequently Asked Questions. Sesame Workshop. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
- ^ Rhoades, Shirrel (December 20, 2011). "Being Elmo". Tropic Cinema. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
- ^ Shon, Debora (January 31, 2006). "Sesame Street will spend this weekend in Poughkeepsie". Poughkeepsie Journal.
- ^ "Sesame Workshop to debut 'The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo' on HBO MAX on Tuesday, May 27, 2020 | Sesame Workshop". www.sesameworkshop.org. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!". NPR. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ "A Guy's Guide to Oprah: 'Barbie, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, and Elmo'". Aguysguidetooprah.com. June 2008. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ "Mr. Elmo goes to Washington". CNN. April 24, 2002. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ "Just Tickled". People. Vol. 47, no. 1. January 13, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Jumptheshark.com". Archived from the original on October 10, 2007.
- ^ "Elmo dethrones Big Bird" dead link at the Wayback Machine (archived August 23, 2010), Kim Lyons, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 11, 2006
External links
- Tickle Elmo
- Elmo's World
- Downloadable 15-minute interview with Elmo voice and puppeteer Kevin Clash from Wisconsin Public Television – Kevin Clash talks about how he became Elmo and how the Muppet is able to affect children's lives
- "Sesame Street: A YouTube Interview with Elmo" – Sesame Street Official Channel, YouTube
- Cinderelmo at IMDb