Kevin Clash | |
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 Clash at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2023 | |
| Born | Kevin Jeffrey Clash (1960-09-17)September 17, 1960 (age 64) |
| Education | Dundalk High School |
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| Children | 1 |
Kevin Jeffrey Clash (born September 17, 1960) is an American puppeteer, director and producer best known for puppeteeringElmo onSesame Street from 1985 to 2012. He also performed puppets forLabyrinth,Dinosaurs,Oobi, and variousMuppet productions.
Clash developed an interest in puppetry at an early age and, in his teen years, performed for local television children's shows in his hometown ofBaltimore,Maryland. He joined the cast ofCaptain Kangaroo in the early 1980s and began performing onSesame Street in 1984. He was the fifth puppeteer to perform Elmo, who became his signature character, and he also served as an executive producer and director for the show. Clash worked in various productions withThe Jim Henson Company and occasionally on other projects. Clash's autobiography,My Life as a Furry Red Monster, was published in 2006; he was later the subject of the documentaryBeing Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011).
Clash resigned fromSesame Street in 2012 after allegations of sexual impropriety with minors, all of which he denied and were later dismissed due to expiration of thestatute of limitations. Clash returned to puppeteering as a supporting performer in the adult comedyThe Happytime Murders (2018).
Clash was born inBaltimore,Maryland, on September 17, 1960, the third of four children born to George Clash, aflash welder and handyman, and Gladys Clash, who ran a small daycare center in their two-bedroom, one-bath home in theTurner Station area ofDundalk, Maryland.[1] Clash developed an interest in puppetry at an early age, inspired by children's shows likeKukla, Fran and Ollie andSesame Street. He made his first puppet, a version ofMickey Mouse, at the age of 10.[2] When he was twelve, he made a monkey puppet out of the lining of his father's coat.[3] His first performances were for his mother's daycare children.[4]
By the time he was a teenager, he had built almost 90 puppets, which he based upon commercials, popular music, and his friends.[5][6] While still in high school, Clash performed at venues throughout Baltimore, including schools, churches, fundraisers, and community events.[7] While appearing at a neighborhood festival, Clash was discovered by Baltimore television personalityStu Kerr, who became Clash's first mentor and hired him to perform in the children's showCaboose atChannel 2. Clash also built puppets for theRomper Room franchise.[8][9][10] When he was 17, he contacted and metpuppeteerKermit Love, who became Clash's mentor, after seeing Love featured in an episode of the children's educational television seriesCall It Macaroni.[11][12] In 1979, on Love's recommendation, Clash appeared asCookie Monster in theSesame Street float during theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and metJim Henson, who later became his boss, mentor, and good friend.[13][14]
When he was 19, Clash became a puppeteer forCaptain Kangaroo, initially as a guest performer, in which he also made occasional on-camera appearances. The producers ofCaptain Kangaroo used some of Clash's puppet creations for the show.[15][16] In 1984, Clash had to turn down Henson's offer to work on his filmThe Dark Crystal because he was working on two TV shows at the same time,Captain Kangaroo and Love's syndicated programThe Great Space Coaster, in which he was producer for the first time.[17][18][19]
Captain Kangaroo was canceled in 1984 after 29 seasons, andGreat Space Coaster ended, freeing up Clash to work on projects with Henson such as the filmLabyrinth andSesame Street.[20] Clash started working atSesame Street for ten episodes in 1983, mostly performing nondescript, stand-in puppets known asAnything Muppets.[21][22] Some of his earliest characters included thesaxophone-playingHoots the Owl (based onLouis Armstrong),[23] the infant Baby Natasha, and inventor Dr. Nobel Price. He worked on the 1985 feature filmFollow That Bird. After 1985,Elmo, a furry red monster, became his main character.[24] Three puppeteers, includingRichard Hunt, had performed Elmo previously, but it was Clash's development, with a falsetto voice, that established the character.[25][26][27] He based Elmo's character on the preschool children that attended his mother's daycare in Baltimore and upon his own personality and the personality of his parents.[28] Clash followed the advice of fellow puppeteerFrank Oz, who told Clash to always "find one special hook" for each character. Clash decided that the central characteristic for Elmo should be that he "should represent love".[29]
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After the height of Elmo's popularity, especially the "Tickle Me Elmo" craze in 1996,[30] Clash's responsibilities atSesame Street increased. He recruited, auditioned, and trained its puppeteers,[31] and became the senior Muppet coordinator, a writer, director, and co-producer of the "Elmo's World" segment of the show.[32][33] Clash worked with and mentored the puppeteers ofSesame Street'sinternational co-productions.[34] He found working with the co-productions "a lot of fun" and "very rewarding".[35] In 2007, he was promoted to senior creative adviser for the Sesame Workshop.[36] Until 2011, he was the sole performer as Elmo in all his public relations appearances, making his schedule, as he called it, "crazy".[33][37] Cheryl Henson, president of the Jim Henson Foundation, called him "essential" to the show.[38]
Clash worked on the first film version ofTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in 1990 and the sequel,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, which was dedicated to Henson, in 1991, voicingMaster Splinter.[39][40] He performed in several productions withJim Henson Productions, including as the Muppet Clifford inThe Jim Henson Hour (1989),[note 1] and performing the puppetry for Frank Oz's characters (Miss Piggy,Fozzie Bear,Sam the Eagle, andAnimal) inMuppet Treasure Island (1996).[42] Clash performed in the filmsMuppets from Space (1999) andThe Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005), and the TV seriesMuppets Tonight (1996–1998), in which he reprised Clifford, who served as the show's host. He performed characters and worked behind the scenes on the sitcomDinosaurs.[43]
In 2006, Clash published his autobiography, co-written by Gary Brozek and Louis Henry Mitchell, entitledMy Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love and Laughing Out Loud.[44] His life was featured in the 2011 documentaryBeing Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey.[45]
After a hiatus of several years, Clash returned to performing with the filmThe Happytime Murders (2018), directed byBrian Henson and co-produced throughHenson Alternative.[46] He later puppeteered in the 2019Netflix seriesThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, which serves as a prequel series to the 1982 Jim Henson filmThe Dark Crystal.[47]
Clash has stated that although children ignore him and speak directly to Elmo, black adults tend to be surprised when they meet him.[32] He has stated in interviews that his racial identity was pertinent to his work, and that it came through in his performances.[33]
Clash was married for 17 years and has a daughter who was born in 1993.[48][49]
In November 2012, Clash publicly revealed his homosexuality in response to the allegations that led to hisresignation from Sesame Workshop, stating, "I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter."[50]
In 2015, Clash moved to Los Angeles to work on otherJim Henson Company productions, includingThe Happytime Murders andThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, performing Lyle and Mr. Bumblypants in the former and Aughra in the latter.[citation needed]
In November 2012, 23-year-old Sheldon Stephens alleged that he had been in a sexual relationship with Clash that began when Stephens was 16, which would be a felony under New York law that declares illegal any sexual relationship with individuals under 17 years of age, whether consensual or not. Sesame Workshop had initially been presented with the allegation in June, and its investigation found the allegation to be unsubstantiated. Clash acknowledged that he had been in a relationship with the accuser; however, he said the relationship was between two consenting adults.[44] Stephens later recanted his accusation, but two weeks later, another accuser, Cecil Singleton, accused Clash of sexually abusing him when he was 15 years old, and lawsuits were filed by attorneyJeffrey Herman against Clash.[51][52]
Clash resigned from Sesame Workshop on November 20, 2012, and released a statement saying, "Personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work 'Sesame Street' is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer. I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately".[51] Sesame Workshop also released a statement: "Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Kevin's personal life has become a distraction that none of us want, and he has concluded that he can no longer be effective in his job and has resigned from 'Sesame Street'."[51] They stated that other puppeteers had been trained to serve as Clash's understudy and would take over his roles on the show.[53]
In July 2013, the three cases against Clash were dismissed because it was ruled that the claims were made more than six years after each man reasonably should have become aware of Clash's alleged violations during the three years after each turned 18. Clash's lawyers expressed his hope that the ruling would allow him to restore his personal and professional life.[54] Lawyers for the plaintiffs appealed the ruling, alleging that the psychological effects of the abuse were not fully realized until 2012. In April 2014, the decision to dismiss the three lawsuits was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals.[55] Months after the other alleged victims made legal accusations, Stephens filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania against Clash,[56] but it was ultimately dismissed in June 2014 because thestatute of limitations had passed.[57]
| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1980–1984 | Captain Kangaroo | Artie, himself |
| 1980–1984 | The Great Space Coaster | Goriddle Gorilla, Rory, Big Jock Ox, Scruffy |
| 1983–2012 | Sesame Street | Elmo, Baby Fats Domino, Benny Rabbit, Billy Idle, Chip Cat, Clementine, Hoots the Owl, Kingston Livingston III, Mario, Paul Pencil, Warren Wolf, Watson, Wolfgang the Seal, Natasha, Mel, Counting Crows Lead Singer, Additional Muppets |
| 1985 | Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird | Additional Muppets, Elmo (voice) |
| 1985–1993 | Muppet Meeting Films | Luncheon Counter Monster, Franklin, Bob, additional Muppets |
| 1986 | The Tale of the Bunny Picnic | Be-Bop Bunny, Father Bunny, additional Muppets |
| 1986 | Labyrinth | Firey |
| 1987 | Inner Tube | Drummer |
| 1988 | Jim Henson's Play-Along Video | P.J., Artie, Be-Bop Bunny, Luncheon Counter Monster, additional Muppets |
| 1989 | The Song of the Cloud Forest | Nick, Caiman |
| 1989 | The Jim Henson Hour | Leon, Clifford, Bob, Blue-Green Extreme, Codzilla, Himself, additional Muppets |
| 1990 | The Cosby Show | Clif's Nightmare |
| 1990 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Splinter |
| 1990 | The Muppets at Walt Disney World | Clifford, Alligator, Frog, Ace Yu |
| 1990 | The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson | Clifford, Elmo, additional Muppets |
| 1990 | Basil Hears a Noise | Elmo, Chip Cat, Watson the Dog and Warren Wolf |
| 1991 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze | Splinter |
| 1991–1994 | Dinosaurs | Baby Sinclair, Howard Handupme, Howlin' Jay, additional characters |
| 1992–1995 | Dog City | Ace Yu (special), Eliot Shag (series), additional Muppets |
| 1993–1996 | Muppet Sing-Alongs | Billy Bunny, Clifford, Bad Polly, Black Dog, Spa'am, additional Muppets |
| 1994 | Muppet Time | Do Re Mi Monster, Jeffy, Huffy Monster |
| 1994 | The Best of Elmo | Elmo, Wolfgang the Seal |
| 1995 | Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree | Father Mouse, Owl |
| 1996–2002 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show | Elmo |
| 1996–2002 | Tots TV | Tiny (US version only) |
| 1996 | Muppet Treasure Island | Fozzie Bear (puppetry only), Miss Piggy (puppetry only), Sam Eagle (puppetry only), Animal (puppetry only), Bad Polly, Black Dog, Spa'am, additional Muppets |
| 1996 | Muppets Tonight | Clifford, Mulch, Bad Polly, Carter, Craniac, Bart, Waldorf, Animal, additional Muppets |
| 1996 | Elmocize | Elmo, Benny Rabbit |
| 1997 | 123 Count with Me | Benny Rabbit |
| 1997 | Elmo Says Boo! | Elmo, Kingston Livingston III |
| 1998 | The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss | Little Cat Fleep |
| 1998–2009 | Elmo's World | Elmo, Baby Natasha, Benny Rabbit, Wolfgang the Seal |
| 1999 | Muppets from Space | Clifford, Carter, additional Muppets |
| 1999 | The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland | Elmo, Pestie, Grouch Cab Driver, Grouch Jailer |
| 2002 | It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie | Sam the Eagle |
| 2002 | Bert & Ernie's Word Play | Elmo, Benny Rabbit |
| 2003–2005 | Oobi | Randy, additional characters |
| 2003 | Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic | Elmo |
| 2004 | The West Wing | Elmo (Season 5, Episode 16 "Eppur Si Muove") |
| 2004–2005 | The Tony Danza Show | Elmo |
| 2005 | The Muppets' Wizard of Oz | Clifford, Black Dog, additional Muppets |
| 2007 | Elmo's Christmas Countdown | Elmo, Hoots, Billy Bunny, Mel, Mouse King, Wolfgang the Seal |
| 2007–2012 | Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures | Elmo |
| 2008 | Abby in Wonderland | Elmo/Red Rabbit |
| 2008 | A Muppet's Christmas: Letters to Santa | Additional Muppets |
| 2009 | Scrubs | Elmo |
| 2009 | The Game | Himself/Mookie (puppet) |
| 2012–2013 | Elmo the Musical | Elmo |
| 2018 | The Happytime Murders | Lyle, Mr. Bumblypants |
| 2019 | The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance | Aughra, Skeksis skekVar/The General, skekMal/The Hunter, The Gelfling Librarian, Gruenak #1, additional voices |
| 2020 | Earth to Ned | Additional puppeteer[58] |
| 2022 | Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock | Uncle Travelling Matt (puppeteer) |
| Preceded by | Elmo performer 1985–2012 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Performer of Mulch 1990s | Succeeded by None |
| Preceded by | Performer of Clementine 1985–1988 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Performer of Dr. Nobel Price 1984–1988 | Succeeded by None |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Clifford 1989–2005 | Succeeded by None |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Hoots the Owl 1985–2012 | Succeeded by Christopher Hayes |
| Preceded by | Performer of Sam the Eagle 2002–2003 | Succeeded by |
Federal Judge Christopher Conner says Stephens failed to sue by age 19 under laws in New York, where their meetings took place. Stephens had sued in Pennsylvania, where longer time limits apply.
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