Emilio Delgado, best known for playing Fix-It Shop owner Luis on “Sesame Street,” passed away on March 10th at 81. Delgado worked on Sesame Street for 45 years as the patient and handy Luis. Luis, like many of the human characters on the show, was there to guide and teach the muppets and the children who watched the show.
In addition to “Sesame Street,” Delgado was a regular voiceover artist for video games and appeared in several episodes of Law & Order.
Related: Sesame Street Just Ended the Debate Over Bert and Ernie Being a Couple
Fans Remember Emilio Delgado
RIP Emilio Delgado. Luis and Maria were the first Latinos I ever saw on TV. They were a huge part of my family. They paved the way. #legend QEPD pic.twitter.com/vYKmesjXIN
— Rosy Cordero (@SocialRosy) March 10, 2022
We are heartbroken to report the passing of Emilio Delgado; best known as Luis Rodriguez on Sesame Street, who joined the series in 1971
Thank you for all of the wonderful memories ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nORrST50A5
— Muppet History (@HistoryMuppet) March 10, 2022
Room Rater in Memoriam. Emilio Delgado has died. He was 81. Thank you, Luis Rodriguez. pic.twitter.com/DcvtYcajjj
— Room Rater (@ratemyskyperoom) March 10, 2022
Thank you for all of the wonderful memories ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nORrST50A5
— Muppet History (@HistoryMuppet) March 10, 2022
One of my favorite stories about Emilio Delgado was how he confronted and reprimanded Jon Stone for being abusive and a jerk towards Caroll Spinney on set.
He could’ve lost his job, but risked it all because he was very protective of Caroll and Big Bird.
RIP Emilio Delgado pic.twitter.com/QuY5cBvo0Y
— Jeremy Fuscaldo’s looking for Work/Agent | Ko-Fi (@JeremyFuscaldo) March 10, 2022
“Sure, there is ABC and 1-2-3, but it goes way beyond that. Sesame Street shows what love and acceptance is between people. It’s inclusive of everyone. It’s good for kids to see that there are kids who are different, who think differently.”
Te extrañaremos, Emilio Delgado. pic.twitter.com/qQfWB4EpCG
— Muppet Quotes (@MuppetQuotes) March 10, 2022
My Memories Of “Luis”
I loved the Fix-It shop as a collector and hoarder of junk and constant tinkerer. Watching Luis guide the muppets with his calm demeanor made his job look so cool.
I also briefly interned at “Sesame Street” and got the chance to meet Emilio at an event. He was a kind and gentle man who remembered my name at the end of the day and made an effort to say goodbye to me. I’ll never forget it.
“Sesame Street” Has Changed
It saddens me to see “Sesame Street” go down the “woke” route, especially when it comes to race. What made “Sesame Street” so groundbreaking was that it presented humans (and muppets) from diverse backgrounds on an equal playing field.
While they haven’t fully gone down this road yet, teaching kids about critical race theory goes too far. Teach kids the basics of right and wrong, and then leave the more severe subjects to more mature kids.
“Sesame Street” also became too corporate. The first run of every show is behind a paywall on HBOMax instead of on PBS. Public television has its faults, but I don’t know if this respects Jim Henson’s vision of producing quality and accessible media for kids.
Share your favorite Sesame Street memories in the comment section below.
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