Welcome to Sesame Street, a neighborhood celebrated not just for its friendly faces, but for its incredible cast of Sesame Street Puppets! From furry monsters to a towering yellow bird, the residents of Sesame Street are brought to life through the magic of puppetry. It’s a place where imagination knows no bounds, and every character, crafted as a unique puppet, contributes to a vibrant and welcoming community.
Have you ever wondered about the personalities behind these beloved Sesame Street puppets? Or perhaps who is known for their insatiable cookie cravings? Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of Sesame Street and introduce you to some of its most iconic puppet residents.
Meet the Iconic Muppets: The Heart of Sesame Street Puppets
Sesame Street wouldn’t be the same without its Muppets – a special type of puppet that has captured the hearts of generations. These aren’t just any puppets; they are meticulously designed and skillfully performed, bringing depth and relatability to characters that feel like real friends. Let’s meet some of the stars of this puppet-filled street:
Abby Cadabby: The Fairy-in-Training Puppet
Abby Cadabby Sesame Street puppet.
Abby Cadabby, a vibrant 4-year-old fairy-in-training, is a delightful Sesame Street puppet. As the daughter of the Fairy Godmother, Abby brings a sprinkle of magic and a whole lot of playful energy to the neighborhood. Her puppet form perfectly captures her imaginative spirit and her journey as she learns to use her fairy wings and spells.
Snuffleupagus (“Snuffy”): Big Bird’s Gentle Giant Puppet Pal
Snuffy Sesame Street puppet with long trunk.
Aloysius Snuffleupagus, affectionately known as Snuffy, is another cherished Sesame Street puppet. This large, woolly mammoth-like character is Big Bird’s best friend, and their heartwarming friendship is a cornerstone of the show. Snuffy’s puppet design emphasizes his gentle nature and his role as a comforting presence in Big Bird’s life.
Baby Bear: The Artistic Bear Cub Puppet
Baby Bear Sesame Street puppet holding crayons.
Baby Bear, inspired by “The Three Bears,” is a spirited young Sesame Street puppet. This adventurous and artistically inclined character engages young viewers with his curiosity and creative pursuits. As a puppet, Baby Bear’s expressions and movements bring to life the energy of a young cub exploring the world.
Bert: The Enduringly Patient Puppet
Bert Sesame Street puppet waving with both hands.
Bert, the famously patient and somewhat particular Sesame Street puppet, is best known as Ernie’s long-suffering friend. Bert’s puppet form highlights his distinctive features and his personality – often contrasting with Ernie’s playful chaos, creating classic comedic moments.
Big Bird: Sesame Street’s Iconic Canary Puppet
Big Bird Sesame Street puppet smiling widely.
Standing tall at 8’2”, Big Bird is perhaps the most globally recognized Sesame Street puppet. This 6 ½-year-old yellow canary is known for his compassion and childlike wonder. Big Bird’s puppet is an engineering marvel, allowing for expressive movement and conveying a wide range of emotions that resonate with audiences of all ages.
Cookie Monster: The Lovable Cookie-Craving Puppet
Cookie Monster Sesame Street puppet waving enthusiastically.
Cookie Monster, a frenzied yet utterly lovable Sesame Street puppet, is driven by his insatiable quest for cookies. His blue fur and googly eyes are instantly recognizable, and his comedic antics around food have made him a fan favorite. The puppet design perfectly embodies his chaotic energy and endearing nature.
Count Von Count: The Number-Loving Vampire Puppet
Count Von Count Sesame Street puppet waving with cape.
The Count, or Count Von Count, is a happy and helpful Sesame Street puppet with a peculiar passion: counting! This friendly vampire loves to count everything, and his puppet form, complete with a cape and a charming Transylvanian accent, makes learning about numbers fun and engaging.
Elmo: The Huggable Red Monster Puppet
Elmo Sesame Street puppet reaching out for a hug.
Elmo, a 3½-year-old red monster, is a hugely popular Sesame Street puppet. With his cheerful voice and contagious giggle, Elmo embodies positivity and curiosity. His puppet is designed to be incredibly expressive, allowing him to convey a wide range of emotions, making him relatable to young children.
Ernie: The Playful Prankster Puppet
Ernie Sesame Street puppet smiling mischievously.
Ernie, the mischievous and joke-loving Sesame Street puppet, is known for his playful pranks on his buddy Bert. Ernie’s puppet captures his cheerful and sometimes slightly impish personality, making him a source of laughter and lightheartedness on Sesame Street.
Gabrielle: A Bright and Curious Puppet Character
Gabrielle Sesame Street puppet posing confidently.
Gabrielle, a vibrant six-and-three-quarters-year-old girl, is a newer but equally beloved Sesame Street puppet. Her curious and energetic personality shines through in her puppet form, making her a role model for young viewers.
Grover: Sesame Street’s Gregarious Blue Monster Puppet
Grover Sesame Street puppet dancing with enthusiasm.
Grover, Sesame Street’s gregarious blue monster, is a Sesame Street puppet known for his childlike exuberance and attempts at various jobs, often with hilarious results. Grover’s puppet is designed to be highly animated, reflecting his energetic and sometimes clumsy nature.
Gonger: The Energetic Pink Monster Chef Puppet
Gonger Sesame Street puppet holding a wooden spoon.
Gonger, an adorable little pink monster, is a Sesame Street puppet brimming with energy, especially when he’s in the kitchen! As Cookie Monster’s cooking partner, Gonger’s puppet form perfectly captures his enthusiasm and helpful spirit.
Julia: Sesame Street’s Puppet Representing Autism
Julia Sesame Street puppet waving gently.
Julia, a bright and curious four-year-old girl with autism, is a groundbreaking Sesame Street puppet. Her inclusion is a significant step in representation, and her puppet is designed to express her unique personality and experiences, helping children understand autism.
Oscar the Grouch: The Lovably Grumpy Puppet
Oscar the Grouch Sesame Street puppet with a frown.
Oscar the Grouch, Sesame Street’s resident curmudgeon, is a classic Sesame Street puppet. Living in his trash can, Oscar humorously despises everything “nice.” His puppet design perfectly captures his grumpy demeanor, making him a uniquely endearing character.
Rosita: The Bilingual Monster of the Caves Puppet
Rosita Sesame Street puppet smiling optimistically.
Rosita, an optimistic and playful 5-year-old, is a bilingual Sesame Street puppet. Her full name, Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas, means “The Monster of the Caves.” Rosita’s puppet reflects her vibrant personality and her role in introducing Spanish language and culture to the show.
Rudy: Abby’s Step-Brother Puppet with Orange Fur
Rudy Sesame Street puppet with bright orange fur.
Rudy, Abby Cadabby’s three-year-old step-brother, is a newer Sesame Street puppet with bright orange fur and blue curls. Rudy’s puppet brings a fresh dynamic to Sesame Street, representing blended families and sibling relationships.
Tamir: A Human Character Puppet Among Muppets
Tamir Sesame Street human character puppet smiling.
Tamir, an 8-year-old boy, is a human Sesame Street puppet character living with his family. Representing real children on Sesame Street, Tamir’s character puppet helps bridge the gap between the Muppet world and the experiences of young viewers.
Tango: Elmo’s Music-Loving Puppy Puppet
Elmo hugging Tango Sesame Street puppy puppet.
Tango, a music-loving and joyful puppy, is a recent addition to the Sesame Street puppets. As Elmo’s pet, Tango’s puppet form bursts with puppy-like energy and curiosity, adding a new dimension of pet ownership and friendship to the show.
Telly Monster: The Anxious but Earnest Puppet
Telly Monster Sesame Street puppet looking worried.
Telly Monster, an intense and earnest Sesame Street puppet, is known for worrying about everything. Telly’s puppet effectively conveys his anxious yet ultimately good-hearted nature, helping children understand and manage their own worries.
Zoe: The Energetic and Dancing Puppet
Zoe Sesame Street puppet dancing with joy.
Zoe, an energetic 3-year-old who loves to dance and sing, is a vibrant Sesame Street puppet. Zoe’s puppet reflects her joyful and expressive personality, encouraging children to embrace creativity and movement.
Gabrielle with human friends on Sesame Street.
The Enduring Impact of Sesame Street Puppets
Sesame Street’s legacy extends far beyond television. As a global nonprofit, Sesame Workshop uses the power of beloved Sesame Street puppets to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. These puppets are not just characters; they are educational tools, role models, and friends that have shaped childhoods for over five decades.
Explore More of the Sesame Street Puppet World
Want to see more of your favorite Sesame Street puppets? Sesame Street offers various avenues to engage with these characters beyond the main show.
Sesame Street Muppets group photo.
Sesame Street: Visit the original and friendliest street in the world and keep up with all your favorite puppets.
Mecha Builders Sesame Street puppets as superheroes.
Mecha Builders: Join Mecha Elmo, Mecha Cookie, and Mecha Abby in problem-solving adventures in their super-hero puppet forms.
Elmo hosting The Not-Too-Late Show Sesame Street puppet.
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Evenings are fun with Elmo as he hosts his own talk show, showcasing his puppet personality in a new format.
Explore the world of Sesame Street puppets and discover the joy and learning they bring to children and families worldwide.
