Sesame Street Creator, Lloyd Morissett, Passes Away at 93
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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.'
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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