Sesame Street Creator, Lloyd Morissett, Passes Away at 93

Nobody can deny the irreplaceable contributions of Sesame Street to generations of children.

In the past 52 years since the television series first aired in Australia, the show has been educating and entertaining toddlers and preschoolers in an engaging way.



The beloved classic, which first graced Australia screens in 1971, has been a part of the childhood of many generations of Australians, introducing kids to the alphabet, numbers, colours and more.

And while you may already be familiar with some of the Sesame Street characters, chances are, you might not be as familiar with the folks behind the iconic children's television show.

Unfortunately, it's sad news for Sesame Street fans across the globe as one of its co-creators, Lloyd Morrisett, has passed away at the age of 93, leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten among generations of children around the world.



A statement released by Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind Sesame Street, on their official Instagram page said that a cause of death has not been released yet.

'A Lifetime Honorary Trustee, Lloyd leaves an outsized and indelible legacy among generations of children the world over, with Sesame Street only the most visible tribute to a lifetime of good work and lasting impact,' the statement read.

'A wise, thoughtful, and above all kind leader of the Workshop for decades, Lloyd was fascinated by the power of technology and constantly thinking about new ways it could be used to educate.'



Sesame Workshop co-founder Joan Ganz Cooney also expressed her condolences for Lloyd, who was described by her as a trusted partner for more than five decades.

She wrote: 'Without Lloyd Morrisett, there would be no Sesame Street. It was he who first came up with the notion of using television to teach preschoolers basic skills, such as letters and numbers.'

'He was a trusted partner and loyal friend to me for over fifty years, and he will be sorely missed.'


66921737-11671923-image-a-13_1674582496797.jpg

The cause of death of 93-year-old Sesame Street creator Lloyd Morissett has yet to be revealed. Credit: Facebook/Sesame Workshop.



Morrisett was born in 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Jessie Watson and Lloyd Newton Morrisett. However, due to the economic difficulties caused by the Great Depression in the 1920s and the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, the family moved to New York and then later to California.

It was in California that he met Julian Ganz, who introduced him to Joan Ganz Cooney and set him on the path of creating a legacy that will live on for generations to come.



The idea for Sesame Street was conceived in 1965 when Morrisett suddenly noticed his three-year-old daughter's fascination with their family television set.

The three-year-old girl showed a remarkable attention span and capacity for learning at the time, which encouraged him to consider if the television could be used to educate children.



He then discussed the concept with Cooney during a dinner party. In May 1968, after the pair merged their ideas for the children's show, they formed Sesame Workshop, which went on to create the iconic Sesame Street children’s program.

In 1970, Morrisett was appointed chairman of Sesame Workshop, where he served until 2020. He was also an active member of the organisation's board of trustees until his death.



Lloyd Morrisett's vision for Sesame Street and the Sesame Workshop revolutionised the way children aged 3-5 are taught. The program has been widely credited with introducing early education concepts to millions of children around the world.

Not only has it impacted educational programming, but it has also developed a lasting cultural identity.

As Sesame Street celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, it's clear to see that the impact of the show has been long-lasting.

Through its catchy songs, beloved characters, educational concepts, and diverse casting, Sesame Street has encouraged the growth of societal change.



It has allowed children to discover new cultures, learn from understanding and acceptance, and participate in a kinder and more thoughtful society.

Sesame Street's influence does not stop there. Through the Sesame Workshop, educational initiatives and outreach programs have been put into place around the world.

These initiatives allow children in even the most under-served areas to have access to the same quality of education and entertainment as those from more privileged backgrounds.



From teaching basic literacy to understanding the causes of poverty, the impact of Sesame Street has been immense.

By combining education and entertainment, Lloyd Morrisett firmly established a critical connection between learning and play.

This connection between teaching and entertainment has allowed millions of children to learn in innovative ways, and this legacy will continue to shape the future of education around the world.

Key Takeaways
  • Lloyd Morrisett, co-founder of Sesame Workshop and creator of Sesame Street, has passed away at the age of 93.
  • The Sesame Workshop Instagram account confirmed Morrisett's passing without a stated cause of death.
  • He and Joan Ganz Cooney founded Sesame Workshop in May 1968, and Morrisett was chairman of the organisation from 1970 to 2020.
  • Morrisett was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the family moved to New York City before settling in California, where he met Joan Ganz Cooney.



Morrisett undoubtedly left a powerful mark on the organisation and will always be remembered.

We send all our condolences to Morrisett’s family and friends during this difficult time and are thankful for our wonderful memories of Sesame Street.

Do you have memories of the show? Share them with us in the comments below.
 
  • Sad
  • Like
Reactions: Liag and Zoya
Sponsored
Nobody can deny the irreplaceable contributions of Sesame Street to generations of children.

In the past 52 years since the television series first aired in Australia, the show has been educating and entertaining toddlers and preschoolers in an engaging way.



The beloved classic, which first graced Australia screens in 1971, has been a part of the childhood of many generations of Australians, introducing kids to the alphabet, numbers, colours and more.

And while you may already be familiar with some of the Sesame Street characters, chances are, you might not be as familiar with the folks behind the iconic children's television show.

Unfortunately, it's sad news for Sesame Street fans across the globe as one of its co-creators, Lloyd Morrisett, has passed away at the age of 93, leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten among generations of children around the world.



A statement released by Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind Sesame Street, on their official Instagram page said that a cause of death has not been released yet.

'A Lifetime Honorary Trustee, Lloyd leaves an outsized and indelible legacy among generations of children the world over, with Sesame Street only the most visible tribute to a lifetime of good work and lasting impact,' the statement read.

'A wise, thoughtful, and above all kind leader of the Workshop for decades, Lloyd was fascinated by the power of technology and constantly thinking about new ways it could be used to educate.'



Sesame Workshop co-founder Joan Ganz Cooney also expressed her condolences for Lloyd, who was described by her as a trusted partner for more than five decades.

She wrote: 'Without Lloyd Morrisett, there would be no Sesame Street. It was he who first came up with the notion of using television to teach preschoolers basic skills, such as letters and numbers.'

'He was a trusted partner and loyal friend to me for over fifty years, and he will be sorely missed.'


66921737-11671923-image-a-13_1674582496797.jpg

The cause of death of 93-year-old Sesame Street creator Lloyd Morissett has yet to be revealed. Credit: Facebook/Sesame Workshop.



Morrisett was born in 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Jessie Watson and Lloyd Newton Morrisett. However, due to the economic difficulties caused by the Great Depression in the 1920s and the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, the family moved to New York and then later to California.

It was in California that he met Julian Ganz, who introduced him to Joan Ganz Cooney and set him on the path of creating a legacy that will live on for generations to come.



The idea for Sesame Street was conceived in 1965 when Morrisett suddenly noticed his three-year-old daughter's fascination with their family television set.

The three-year-old girl showed a remarkable attention span and capacity for learning at the time, which encouraged him to consider if the television could be used to educate children.



He then discussed the concept with Cooney during a dinner party. In May 1968, after the pair merged their ideas for the children's show, they formed Sesame Workshop, which went on to create the iconic Sesame Street children’s program.

In 1970, Morrisett was appointed chairman of Sesame Workshop, where he served until 2020. He was also an active member of the organisation's board of trustees until his death.



Lloyd Morrisett's vision for Sesame Street and the Sesame Workshop revolutionised the way children aged 3-5 are taught. The program has been widely credited with introducing early education concepts to millions of children around the world.

Not only has it impacted educational programming, but it has also developed a lasting cultural identity.

As Sesame Street celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, it's clear to see that the impact of the show has been long-lasting.

Through its catchy songs, beloved characters, educational concepts, and diverse casting, Sesame Street has encouraged the growth of societal change.



It has allowed children to discover new cultures, learn from understanding and acceptance, and participate in a kinder and more thoughtful society.

Sesame Street's influence does not stop there. Through the Sesame Workshop, educational initiatives and outreach programs have been put into place around the world.

These initiatives allow children in even the most under-served areas to have access to the same quality of education and entertainment as those from more privileged backgrounds.



From teaching basic literacy to understanding the causes of poverty, the impact of Sesame Street has been immense.

By combining education and entertainment, Lloyd Morrisett firmly established a critical connection between learning and play.

This connection between teaching and entertainment has allowed millions of children to learn in innovative ways, and this legacy will continue to shape the future of education around the world.

Key Takeaways

  • Lloyd Morrisett, co-founder of Sesame Workshop and creator of Sesame Street, has passed away at the age of 93.
  • The Sesame Workshop Instagram account confirmed Morrisett's passing without a stated cause of death.
  • He and Joan Ganz Cooney founded Sesame Workshop in May 1968, and Morrisett was chairman of the organisation from 1970 to 2020.
  • Morrisett was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the family moved to New York City before settling in California, where he met Joan Ganz Cooney.



Morrisett undoubtedly left a powerful mark on the organisation and will always be remembered.

We send all our condolences to Morrisett’s family and friends during this difficult time and are thankful for our wonderful memories of Sesame Street.

Do you have memories of the show? Share them with us in the comments below.

if Lloyd was 93 yrs old he would have been born BEFORE 1933 as stated
 
I am very grateful for Sesame Street. My son, who is now 52 years old, learned the alphabet and how to count by watching Sesame Street and as a result, with some tuition from me, he could read quite well at 2 years of age.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Janet g and Ricci
I didn't let my kids watch sesame street a I didn't want any Americanisms working their way into the kids language. Zee's are Zed's, always was always will be if you ask me! We taught our kids to read, write, count and do simple sums, they were both fluent readers, wobbly (but readable) writers, fluent in numeracy and as long as the numbers were below 20 could add and subtract long before the age of three. Just for fun I taught them to say the alphabet backwards, just like my Mum taught me! Such was the case that by the end of year three they had each finished the primary school curriculum, were being extended in class and were helping with the struggling pupils! :)
 
Last edited:

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×