Mr. Harold Hooper (played by Will Lee) was one of the first four human characters to appear on the television series Sesame Street.
Mr. Hooper, who has been described as "slightly cranky but good-hearted" and "curmudgeonly", bridges the gap between the older generation and its young audience.
After Lee's death on December 7, 1982, instead of recasting the role, or explaining his departure by saying he had moved, quit or retired, the writers and producers of Sesame Street decided to have the character of Mr. Hooper die.
Research was conducted to ascertain the messages they wanted to convey about the topic, as well as the effect the episode would have on the young children who watched it.
Studies conducted after the episode was produced showed that most children understood its messages about death, and that they experienced no long-term ill effects.
The cast and crew reported that filming it was an emotional and touching experience, with Bob McGrath listing it as one of his two favorites.
Mr. Hooper, played by Will Lee from the premiere of Sesame Street in 1969 until his death in 1982, was one of the first four human characters that appeared on the show.
Lee had been blacklisted from many mainstream acting roles for about five years during the McCarthy era, for refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee's investigation of Communist influence in show business.
According to writer Michael Davis, Lee played Mr. Hooper, known for his bowtie and horn-rimmed glasses,[7] "with such certainty and naturalness he made adults suspend their sense of disbelief".
[1] According to fellow cast member Bob McGrath, who also appeared in Sesame Street's first episode with Lee, "Will had a broader dimension to his character than perhaps the rest of us did ...
[7] The New York Times reported that Mr. Hooper ranked first of all human characters of the show in recognition by young viewers.
[1] Davis stated that since Mr. Hooper's appearance in the first episode of Sesame Street, he had become many things to many young children, "... the guy in the apron at the far side of the generation gap, his half-lens glasses slipping down his nose".
A running gag in the show was that Big Bird would often mispronounce Mr. Hooper's name, although most attempts ended in "ooper", such as "Looper" or "Cooper".
[7][9] When Will Lee died on December 7, 1982, instead of recasting the role for the character (replacing Will Lee with a new actor so Mr. Hooper could still be in the show), explaining Mr. Hooper's departure (by saying that he had retired and/or moved away), or simply dropping him from the show without explanation, the producers of Sesame Street decided to have the character pass away as well.
According to CTW researcher Rosemarie Truglio and her colleagues, the episode was one of the many social issues relevant to preschoolers the show has dealt with throughout its history.
[12] The episode begins with a scene between Gordon (Roscoe Orman) and the Muppet Forgetful Jones (Richard Hunt).
Later, Big Bird listens to the adults talking about a new baby who is due to visit Sesame Street with his mother.
The human characters explain the irreversibility of death to Big Bird, who reacts by getting upset, expressing his confusion and sadness.
Similar to what they had done with other social issues and in developing their curriculum, the CTW researched the topic of death and how preschoolers understand it.
The parents interviewed had "overwhelmingly positive" reactions to the show, and that half reported that they had discussed death with their children after viewing it.
Heartbreaking yet affirming, the episode set a standard for the sensitive treatment of a powerful subject matter than has rarely been equaled.
Sesame Street head writer Norman Stiles was chosen to write the segments about Mr. Hooper's death.