Children's Television

Janice Burgess (1952–2024), creator of The Backyardigans

Janice Burgess created the Nickelodeon animated show “The Backyardigans.”

Lloyd Morrisett (1928–2023), “Sesame Street” co-creator

Lloyd Morrisett was the co-creator of the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW) and the classic children’s TV show “Sesame Street.”

Bob McGrath (1932–2022), longtime “Sesame Street” cast member

Bob McGrath was one of the original human cast members of “Sesame Street” and appeared on the children’s TV classic for more than 45 years.

Bernard Cribbins (1928–2022), “Doctor Who” actor 

Bernard Cribbins was a British actor who starred in “Doctor Who” and narrated the popular children’s show “The Wombles.”

Emilio Delgado (1940–2022), Luis on “Sesame Street” 

Emilio Delgado was best known for his role as the Fix-It-Shop owner Luis on the children’s television series “Sesame Street.”  

Joanne Rogers (1928–2021), widow of Fred Rogers

Joanne Rogers was the widow of , of "Mister Rogers Neighborhood," and was an accomplished concert pianist.

Bonni Lou Kern (1941–2020), original Mouseketeer

Bonni Lou Kern was an original Mouseketeer who appeared on the first season of the popular Disney  ‘The Mickey Mouse Club.’

Michael Angelis (2020), “Thomas the Tank Engine” narrator

Michael Angelis was a British actor best known for narrating the children’s television series “Thomas the Tank Engine.”

William Dufris (1958–2020), original voice of Bob the Builder

William Dufris was a voice actor best known as the original voice of Bob the Builder on the children’s animated series. He was also an award-winning audiobook narrator and producer.

Lee Mendelson (1933–2019), “Peanuts” TV specials producer

Lee Mendelson wasthe executive producer for the beloved cPeanutsc19 TV special,cCharlie Brown Christmas.c19 He also producedcItc19s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,c19 cA Charlie Brown Thanksgivingc19 and more than 50 other animated TV specials. Outside of cPeanuts,c19 he oversaw the cGarfieldc19 and cCathyc19 animated TV specials. Mendelson decided to hire jazz musician Vince Guaraldi to create music for cCharlie Brown Christmasc19 and he co-wrote the lyrics for the timeless song in that special, cChristmas Time Is Here.c19

Caroll Spinney (1933–2019), Sesame Street's beloved Big Bird

He played the giant character ever since the show's 1969 premiere — and also played Oscar the Grouch.

Karen Pendleton (1946–2019), original Disney Mouseketeer

Karen Pendleton was one of the original Disney Mouseketeers who appeared on the “Mickey Mouse Club” children’s television series for all four seasons, from 1955 until 1959. She was one of the youngest performers in the cast and was known for singing the show’s closing song with fellow Mouseketeer Cubby O’Brien. She left show business after the series ended. Paralyzed from the waist down in an auto accident in 1983, she became an advocate for people with disabilities. Pendleton appeared on “Mickey Mouse Club” reunion shows and at fan conventions.

Pua Magasiva (1980–2019), starred as the Red Ranger in “Power Rangers Ninja Storm”

Also had a long running role on the New Zealand soap opera “Shortland Street.”

Stefán Karl Stefánsson (1975 – 2018), “LazyTown” actor

Played Robbie Rotten on the popular children’s TV series.

Bob Dorough (1923–2018), “Schoolhouse Rock” musician

Wrote and performed songs like “Three Is a Magic Number.”

The Kindest Man in the World: Fred Rogers (video)

Fred Rogers ( ) changed the face of children’s educational television as the creator and host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The show, produced for 33 years in Pittsburgh and broadcast to homes across America on PBS, gave preschoolers a daily half hour of imaginative “make-believe” puppetry and gentle talk that encouraged every child’s inner life.

Jim Henson, Muppet Man

Here are 20 things you might not know about the puppet master who created the Muppets.

Bob Keeshan: Captain Kangaroo

Bob Keeshan's career took him from a short stint as the original Clarabell the Clown on NBC's Howdy Doody to a 30-year run as Captain Kangaroo on his own CBS show. The New York Times called the captain "one of the most enduring characters television ever produced."

He Made Muppets Sing

Jeff Moss, the first head writer for "Sesame Street," helped to bring to life classic characters like Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch.

A Visit to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Anyone who grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood — that is, almost everyone under the age of 50 or so — probably feels like they know Fred Rogers . As the gentle, friendly host of one of television's longest-running children's programs, Rogers taught, sang toand counseled generations of kids. His frequent, reassuring presence in their lives elevated him to the status of a beloved uncle or grandfather. Many of those viewers already know that Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister, or that he wrote all the songs he sang on his show.

Jerry Nelson, Muppeteer

Jerry Nelson was more than a puppeteer—he was a Muppeteer.