Step onto Sesame Street, a neighborhood synonymous with joy and learning, where every face, be it furry, feathery, or monstrous, welcomes you with open arms. Almost everyone, that is, unless you catch Oscar the Grouch on a bad day! This is a place where differences are celebrated, friendships blossom, and every individual, no matter how unique, finds a sense of belonging.
Each resident of Sesame Street possesses a distinct personality, hobbies, and background, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of this extraordinary community. Ever wondered who the resident prankster is? Or perhaps who Big Bird confides in as his closest pal? Maybe you’re curious about who has an unusual passion for collecting paper clips?
Join us as we introduce you to the amazing characters that make Sesame Street the special place it is!
Meet the Beloved Muppets of Sesame Street
From furry monsters to friendly birds, the Muppets of Sesame Street are at the heart of this iconic show. Each character brings a unique flavor to the neighborhood, teaching valuable lessons about friendship, kindness, and understanding. Let’s meet some of the residents:
Abby Cadabby
Abby Cadabby Sesame Street character, a fairy-in-training with pink skin, purple hair, and wings, smiling warmly.
Abby Cadabby is a spirited and imaginative 4-year-old fairy-in-training. As the daughter of the Fairy Godmother, magic runs in her veins, and she’s learning to harness her powers at her after-school program. Abby’s curiosity and playful nature make her a delightful friend to everyone on Sesame Street.
Snuffleupagus (“Snuffy”)
Aloysius Snuffleupagus, known as Snuffy, a large woolly mammoth-like Muppet with brown fur and long eyelashes, standing in profile.
Snuffy, or Aloysius Snuffleupagus, is Big Bird’s gentle and somewhat shy best friend. These two share countless adventures, navigating the world together and learning from each other along the way. Snuffy’s large size is matched only by his even bigger heart.
Baby Bear
Baby Bear Sesame Street character, a small brown bear cub with an orange shirt, holding a crayon and looking inquisitive.
Baby Bear, inspired by “The Three Bears,” is a young, adventurous, and artistically inclined character. He brings the charm of the classic fairytale to Sesame Street, engaging young viewers with his explorations and creative spirit.
Bert
Bert Sesame Street Muppet, a yellow character with a long nose and dark hair, waving with both hands and a serious expression.
Bert is known for his love of paper clips, pigeons, and the letter B. He is also well-known as the steadfast, though often exasperated, best friend of Ernie. Bert’s calm and collected demeanor perfectly balances Ernie’s playful energy.
Big Bird
Big Bird Sesame Street character, a very tall bright yellow bird Muppet with orange legs, smiling broadly and looking friendly.
Standing tall at 8’2”, Big Bird is a curious and kind 6 ½-year-old yellow bird. Despite his size, he embodies childlike wonder and empathy, making him a beloved figure on Sesame Street and beyond.
Cookie Monster
Cookie Monster Sesame Street Muppet, a blue furry monster with large googly eyes, waving with a wide smile and holding a cookie crumb.
Cookie Monster is famous for his insatiable appetite for cookies! This furry blue monster is both frenzied in his cookie pursuits and undeniably cuddly, bringing humor and heart to Sesame Street.
Count Von Count
Count Von Count Sesame Street character, a purple vampire Muppet with a black cape and slicked-back hair, holding up one finger and smiling mischievously.
The Count, or Count Von Count, finds joy in counting everything around him. This friendly vampire adds a touch of whimsy to Sesame Street while subtly teaching numeracy skills to young viewers.
Elmo
Elmo Sesame Street character, a small red furry monster Muppet with a big smile and outstretched arms, inviting a hug.
Elmo, a cheerful 3½-year-old red monster, is known for his infectious giggle and positive attitude. His segments often focus on simple, everyday experiences, making him relatable and endearing to preschoolers.
Ernie
Ernie Sesame Street Muppet, an orange character with a striped shirt and round nose, smiling mischievously with his head tilted.
Ernie is the master prankster of Sesame Street, often seen playing jokes on his best friend, Bert. His playful and mischievous nature is balanced by his genuine affection for his friends.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle Sesame Street character, a young Black girl Muppet with purple hair and a bright pink outfit, posing confidently with hands on her hips.
Gabrielle is a vibrant and curious 6 and 3/4-year-old girl Muppet. Her energetic personality and thirst for knowledge make her a wonderful role model for children.
Grover
Grover Sesame Street character, a blue furry monster Muppet with a bulbous blue nose, dancing energetically with a wide grin.
Grover, Sesame Street’s blue monster, approaches every task with childlike enthusiasm, often resulting in hilarious mishaps. For over four decades, Grover’s exuberance has brought laughter to audiences.
Gonger
Gonger Sesame Street character, a small pink monster Muppet with a chef's hat, holding up a wooden spoon and looking eager.
Gonger is a small, adorable pink monster with boundless energy. He’s often seen alongside Cookie Monster in food-related segments, adding to the culinary fun on Sesame Street.
Julia
Julia Sesame Street character, a young girl Muppet with orange hair and a purple shirt, waving and smiling gently.
Julia is a bright and inquisitive 4-year-old girl with autism. Her inclusion on Sesame Street promotes understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder among young viewers.
Oscar the Grouch
Oscar the Grouch Sesame Street character, a green furry monster Muppet living in a trash can, frowning and looking grumpy.
Oscar the Grouch is Sesame Street’s resident curmudgeon. He famously dislikes anything considered “nice,” like rainbows and happiness, preferring the comfort of his trash can and the company of his pet worm, Slimey.
Rosita
Rosita Sesame Street character, a turquoise furry monster Muppet with long purple hair, smiling optimistically.
Rosita, or Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas, is an upbeat and playful 5-year-old monster. Her full name, meaning “The Monster of the Caves,” hints at her adventurous spirit and Spanish heritage.
Rudy
Rudy Sesame Street character, a small orange furry monster Muppet with blue curly hair, looking curious and friendly.
Rudy is Abby Cadabby’s energetic 3-year-old stepbrother. With his bright orange fur and mop of blue curls, Rudy is a newer addition to Sesame Street, bringing fresh perspectives and sibling dynamics.
Tamir
Tamir Sesame Street character, a young Black boy character with short black hair and a blue shirt, smiling warmly and looking directly at the camera.
Tamir is an 8-year-old boy who represents human Characters On Sesame Street. He lives with his family and brings everyday kid experiences to the show, reflecting the lives of many young viewers.
Tango
Elmo hugging Tango Sesame Street character, Elmo a red Muppet hugging Tango a small brown puppy Muppet, both smiling and looking joyful.
Tango is Elmo’s music-loving and joyful puppy. Full of energy and curiosity, Tango adds pet-related adventures and learning opportunities to Sesame Street.
Telly Monster
Telly Monster Sesame Street character, a purple furry monster Muppet with a triangular nose, looking worried and earnest.
Telly Monster is an intense and earnest character known for worrying about almost everything. Despite his anxieties, Telly is a lovable member of the Sesame Street gang, teaching kids about managing emotions.
Zoe
Zoe Sesame Street character, an orange furry monster Muppet with a tuft of orange hair and a yellow ballet tutu, smiling and looking playful.
Zoe is an enthusiastic 3-year-old orange monster who loves to dance and sing. Her energetic and expressive nature brings a lot of fun and artistic flair to Sesame Street.
The Enduring Impact of Sesame Street Characters
Gabrielle with human Sesame Street cast members, Gabrielle a purple Muppet posing with two adults and a child, all smiling and looking inclusive.
Sesame Street’s characters are more than just television personalities; they are icons that have shaped generations. Through their diverse personalities and relatable situations, they have taught children about letters, numbers, and, more importantly, about kindness, empathy, and community. They continue to represent the core values of Sesame Workshop: helping children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.
Want to explore more of the Sesame Street world and its amazing characters? Visit the official Sesame Street website to discover games, videos, and activities featuring your favorite Muppet friends!
