Bob McGrath Biography, Cause of Death, Net Worth, Wife, Wiki, Children

Bob McGrath, a pioneer of Sesame Street, passes away at age 90.

What Happened to Bob McGrath?

According to posts made on social media by his family and Sesame Workshop, Bob McGrath, a beloved “Sesame Street” original cast member, has passed away. He was 90.

“The family of McGrath has some bad news to offer. Bob McGrath, our father, passed away today. His family was by his side when he passed away quietly at home, according to a Facebook post from his family.

Bob McGrath Cause of Death

At the age of 90, Bob McGrath was a well-known member of the Sesame Street cast. McGrath made his television debut in the iconic children’s program’s 1969 pilot episode, becoming one of the show’s first human stars.

His family shared a Facebook post on Sunday informing people of his passing. “Our father Bob McGrath passed away today,” they stated. He passed away quietly at home, surrounded by his loved ones. According to his daughter Cat McGrath, who spoke with NPR, McGrath passed away as a result of stroke complications.

McGrath made his debut on Sesame Street and went on to star in an incredible 47 seasons after that. In the 2017 episode titled “Having A Ball,” he made his last appearance.

He was regarded as one of the show’s human adults who had been a cast member the longest.

Who was Bob McGrath?

American actor, singer, musician, and children’s book author Robert Emmett McGrath (June 13, 1932 – December 4, 2022) is most known for creating and portraying the human character Bob Johnson on the enduring educational television program Sesame Street.

On June 13, 1932, McGrath was born in Ottawa, Illinois. His given name is Robert Emmet, an Irish nationalist. He used to sing for his family as a child as his mother played the piano.

Bob McGrath Early Life

His mother enrolled him in the amateur program at the Roxy Theater, where he placed second. He received his high school diploma from Marquette.

In 1954, McGrath earned his degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Music. He participated in the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity while a student at Michigan. During fraternity functions, he washed dishes while fraternity brother David Connell waited tables, which Connell would use when Sesame Street casting began.

Bob McGrath Career

He joined the U.S. Army after graduating, serving for two years in Germany and booking and conducting performances for the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra. In 1959, McGrath graduated with a Master of Music in Voice from the Manhattan School of Music.

During the four seasons of Miller’s NBC-TV television singalong series Sing Along with Mitch from 1960 to 1964, McGrath collaborated with Mitch Miller and served as the show’s featured tenor. On the Walt Kelly CD Songs of the Pogo, he sang.

Midway through the 1960s, McGrath established himself as a well-known recording artist in Japan by putting out several popular albums of Japanese-sung versions of Irish and other folk songs and ballads.

When he appeared in the game series, To Tell the Truth in 1966 and I’ve Got a Secret in 1967, this facet of his professional life served as the foundation of his “secret.”

Bob McGrath Sesame Street

McGrath played the role of Bob Johnson as a regular cast member on Sesame Street from 1969 to 2016. McGrath was one of the two human characters that had been on the program the longest since it began, the other being series matriarch Susan Robinson, who was portrayed by Loretta Long.

When promoting Sesame Street on that network, a Noggin program noted Bob’s 40 years. Because the series would be retooled, Sesame Workshop confirmed in July 2016 that McGrath would not return for its 47th season. However, the corporation did note that McGrath would continue to represent the Workshop at public events. Later, Sesame Workshop revealed that there would be discussions about having him return.

He would continue to represent Sesame Street, according to Sesame Workshop. McGrath later made appearances in the show’s internet videos, even though he had not starred in any fresh material since season 45. He came back again for the Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Celebration TV special that will air in 2019.

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, a 1978 holiday special that featured a parody of “The Gift of the Magi,” and the 1983 scene that openly addressed the passing of enduring character Mr. Hooper, played by his close friend Will Lee who had passed away the year before, were McGrath’s two favorite episodes of Sesame Street.

Bob McGrath Wife, Children

McGrath is survived by his wife Ann Logan Sperry, their five children, and three grandchildren.

Bob McGrath Net Worth

Bob McGrath has an estimated Net Worth of $2 million. His successful career was the only thing that contributed a lot to his overall wealth.