Emilio Delgado, the actor best known to multiple generations as Luis on Sesame Street, has died. He was 81 years old.
The sad news was confirmed by Delgado's wife, Carol, who told TMZ that he passed away at his home in New York surrounded by friends and family on March 10. The actor had been diagnosed with Multiple myeloma in December 2020.
Born in Calexico, California on May 8, 1940, Delgado developed an interest in acting from a young age. He started acting professionally in 1968, and would go on to become a respected figure in the California theatre scene. His screen debut came in 1968's Canción de la Raza. Not long after, he would take on a role in Angie's Garage, a kid's series aimed at Mexican-American children.
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One year later, Delgado joined the cast of Sesame Street, which had just started its third season. Delgado took on the role of Luis Rodriguez, the first human character on the street and owner of The Fix-It Shop repair store. Delgado's inclusion was designed to promote diversity onscreen, and even help younger viewers learn Spanish.
Luis would go on to become a beloved part of Sesame Street, remaining on the show for the next four decades. In 1988, his character even got married during the show's nineteenth season.
"Up until that time, the inclusion of people of color on television was very minimal," Delgado told SamTweedle.com in an interview last year. "There was some success in integration on some of the networks, but there was not a concerted effort to go out and find people of color to be on shows. So, when it came around that time that Sesame Street happened, the people who created the show were very liberal and saw that there was a need for inclusion, and especially for children."
Sesame Workshop, the organisation behind the series, led a flood of the tributes to Delgado on social media.
"Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Emilio Delgado, known the world over for his role as Luis on Sesame Street," wrote the nonprofit. "A beloved member of the Sesame family for over 50 years, his warmth and humor invited children to share a friendship that has echoed through generations.
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"At the forefront of representation, Emilio proudly laid claim to the “record for the longest-running role for a Mexican-American in a TV series.” We are so grateful he shared his talents with us and with the world."
Topics: TV And Film