Stars From Sesame Street You Didn't Know Died

Publish date: 2024-05-06

An integral, if lesser-known, member of the "Sesame Street" cast, Richard Hunt was the puppeteer behind Don Music, Sully the construction worker, Forgetful Jones, Gladys the Cow, Placido Flamingo, and Elmo (for a single year). He also joined Jim Henson on "The Muppet Show" playing Janice, Scooter, Beaker, Statler & Waldorf, and Miss Piggy (for one season). Hunt joined the "Sesame Street" cast in 1972, at 19 years old, after cold-calling Henson's team a couple years prior (per LGBTQ Nation). 

For the next twenty years — the rest of his life — Richard worked on the series, becoming a mentor to the newer cast members and saying yes to every other Muppets-based project he was offered. In the late '80s, he was diagnosed with HIV, and in 1992, he died of complications from AIDS.

Upon his death, Brian Henson told the Associated Press, "His endless talents, great wit, and indomitable spirit will be deeply missed by all of us ... and I will miss a best friend and a big brother." Meanwhile, "Sesame Street" producer Jon Stone said, "It's impossible to imagine a world without Richard. He came to us a wild-eyed 18-year-old and grew into a master puppeteer and inspired teacher."

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