Sesame Street is not only the longest-running children's television show of all time—it’s one of the longest-running TV shows ever, period. The series has been on the air for more than 50 seasons, and it remains popular among both children and adults. Millions of Americans have tuned into Sesame Street since its debut in 1969. For current listeners, there's yet another way to journey to everyone's favorite Muppet-filled street: The Sesame Street Podcast with Foley and Friends.
The heart and soul of Sesame Street is undoubtedly its cast of quirky, lovable characters. So, who are the inhabitants of this celebrated street? Here’s a comprehensive guide to all of the residents of Sesame Street—so far.
Sesame Street Characters: Muppets
Abby Cadabby
Abby Cadabby made her debut in 2006 in Sesame Street's 36th season. She's played by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph. Four-year-old Abby is a fairy-in-training who can speak a language called Dragonfly. She can also appear out of thin air, turn things into pumpkins, and, when she's happy, float around.
Baby Bear
Baby Bear, who first appeared in 1991, is part of the Three Bears family, which also consists of Mama Bear and Papa Bear. Curly Bear was added to the clan in 2004, which technically makes the Three Bears four. Baby Bear is played by David Rudman.
Bert
Bert has been a part of the Sesame Street cast since the first season. He's known for being sensible and organized, in contrast to his best friend and roommate, Ernie. Bert was originated by Frank Oz. Starting in 1997, Eric Jacobson worked alongside Oz to play the role, taking over as Bert after Oz's retirement in 2006. Bert loves pigeons, the letter W, eating oatmeal, and collecting bottle caps and paperclips.
Betty Lou
Betty Lou is another character who's been a part of the neighborhood for decades. She's been played by various performers over the years. She has blond braided hair and wears a blue checkered dress.
Big Bird
Big Bird has also been around since Sesame Street's 1969’s debut. He was played by Caroll Spinney until 2018 when Matt Vogel took over the role. The aptly named character is indeed very big—more than eight feet tall. Despite his stature, Big Bird has the kindness and innocence of a child.
Cookie Monster
If you love cookies, then you probably identify with Cookie Monster, the kooky and constantly hungry blue monster who's been a part of the Sesame Street world since the beginning. He was first played by Frank Oz; David Rudman took up the mantle in 2001.
Count von Count
Count von Count is a count who's obsessed with… well, counting. The character debuted in 1972 and was played by Jerry Nelson until 2012. Matt Vogel took up the role in 2013.
Elmo
Elmo joined the neighborhood in 1979 and remains one of the most popular characters on Sesame Street. Over the decades, the cute, energetic little red monster has been played by many performers—Brian Muehl, Richard Hunt, and Kevin Clash among them. Ryan Dillon has played Elmo since 2013.
Ernie
Like his best friend Bert, Ernie has been a Sesame Street regular since 1969. He loves taking baths with his rubber duckie, playing instruments, and playing practical jokes on Bert, who is far more serious and less free-spirited. Ernie was played by the legendary Jim Henson until 1990. Steve Whitmire played the character from 1993 to 2014, followed by Billy Barkhurst, from 2014 to 2017. Ernie is now played by puppeteer Peter Linz.
Foley
Foley is a monster who you can find exclusively on the Audible Original The Sesame Street Podcast with Foley and Friends. The adorable and fuzzy purple monster is your fearless host with most. Making his debut in 202, Foley is voiced by Tyler Bunch.
Gonger
Gonger is a little pink monster who first arrived on Sesame Street in 2017. He's the co-star of a special segment with Cookie Monster called "Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck." He's played by Warrick Brownlow-Pike.
Grover
First voiced by Frank Oz, Grover has been a Sesame Street staple since 1970. Eric Jacobson took over performing the character in 2012. Self-described as a "cute, furry little monster," Grover loves to help others—even if he's not always very good at it.
Guy Smiley
Meet America's favorite game show: Guy Smiley! Guy has been the host of many Sesame Street game shows, including "Beat the Time," "What's My Part?" and "Here Is Your Life." Guy was played by Jim Henson himself from 1969 to 1990. Seasoned puppeteer Eric Jacobson now plays the role.
Julia
Julia is a little girl with autism who joined the Sesame Street cast in 2017. She's voiced by Stacey Gordon, who has drawn on her experiences raising son with autism to help shape the character.
Kermit the Frog
One of very first Muppets designed by Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog was a character before Sesame Street was a show. Kermit made his debut in 1955 on Henson's first television series, Sam and Friends. But as Henson has noted, Kermit didn't embrace his identity as a frog until his 1971 appearance in the Tales from Muppetland special, The Frog Prince. Before that, Kermit was just a lizard-like Muppet. However, Johnny Carson referred to Kermit as a frog as early as 1965. Whatever the true history behind Kermit's frogness, he's certainly a frog now, widely celebrated for being green. and a key character on Sesame Street. Kermit was performed by Henson until 1990, followed by Steve Whitmore until 2016. Now, Kermit is played by Matt Vogel.
Mikee
Mikee is another character exclusive to The Sesame Street Podcast, which debuted on Audible in 2020. Mikee is a microphone with googly eyes and a big grin, and he also happens to be Foley's best friend. He cohosts the podcast with Foley.
Oscar the Grouch
Oscar the Grouch has lived in a trash can on Sesame Street since the show's beginnings in 1969. The green monster is true to his name: he's always grumpy and miserable. And the only thing he loves more than being a grouch? Trash. He's voiced by Eric Jacobson currently. The original voice of Oscar, Caroll Spinney, played the character until 2018.
Rosita
Rosita is a turquoise monster who first appeared in the neighborhood in 1991. Originally from Mexico, her full name is Rosita, la Monstrua de las Cuevas, and she's originally from Mexico. She's bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. Rosita often presents a Spanish word of the day on the show. She's played by puppeteer Carmen Osbahr.
Sherlock Hemlock
Debuting on the show in 1970, Sherlock Hemlock is the self-proclaimed “world's greatest detective.” He's modeled after the famous literary detective Sherlock Holmes, and he's played by Jerry Nelson.
Aloysius Snuffleupagus
This character is more often referred to as Mr. Snuffleupagus, or simply Snuffy. He's Big Bird's best friend, and he lives in a cave with the rest of his Snuffleupagus family. He loves opera music and spaghetti. Snuffy first came onto the show in 1971, voiced by Jerry Nelson. Michael Earl played Snuffy from 1978 to 1981. Now, Snuffy is played by puppeteer Martin P. Robinson.
Sesame Street Characters: Humans
Alan
Played by Alan Muraoka, Alan has been a mainstay of Sesame Street since 1998. Alan is the proprietor of Hooper's Store, a bodega that serves as a meeting place for the cast of characters on the show.
Charlie
"Charlie" is the nickname for Charlotte, an eight-year-old who moved into the neighborhood in 2020 when her parents retired from the military. She's played by Violet Tinnirello.
Chris Robinson
Since 2007, Chris Robinson has worked part-time in Hooper's Store. He is a student and the son of Gordon and Susan. His twin sister, Christy, also appears on the show occasionally. Chris Robinson is played by Chris Knowings, and his sister is played by Christy Knowings, who is his real-life twin sister.
Nina
Nina has been a part of the Sesame Street gang since 2016. A bilingual Hispanic woman of Cuban descent, she owns the bike shop. Nina is played by Suki Lopez.
