List of human Sesame Street characters

Unlike most children's television programs at the time, the producers of Sesame Street decided against using a single host and cast a group of ethnically diverse, primarily African American actors/presenters,[2] with, as Sesame Street researcher Gerald S. Lesser put it, "a variety of distinctive and reliable personalities".

[6] Most of the cast and crew found jobs on Sesame Street through personal relationships with Stone and the other producers.

[6] The results of the test shows, which were never intended for broadcast and shown to preschoolers in 60 homes throughout Philadelphia and in day care centers in New York City in July 1969,[6] were "generally very positive".

The producers had followed the advice of child psychologists who were concerned that children would be confused, and had recommended that human actors and Muppets not be shown together.

In 2019, retired characters from the series such as Linda, Miles and Leela returned for the TV special Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Long-running cast member Bob McGrath , who played Bob on Sesame Street from its premiere in 1969 until 2016
Buffy Sainte-Marie , shown here in 1970, who made appearances on Sesame Street from 1976 to 1981
Lily Tomlin (2008), one of the many celebrities who have appeared on the show and portrayer of Edith Ann and Ernestine the Telephone Operator
Roscoe Orman , who played Gordon (shown here in 2007)
Matt Robinson , who played Gordon on Sesame Street from 1969 to 1972.
Luis, played by Emilio Delgado
Sonia Manzano who played Maria
Charlotte Rae (at the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1988), who played Molly in the early 1970s
Bill Irwin the original Mr. Noodle
Michael Jeter (shown here in 1992), who played Mr. Noodle's brother Mr. Noodle
Kristin Chenoweth (shown here in 2018), who played Mr. Noodle's Sister, Ms. Noodle from 2003 to 2006
Daveed Diggs (2016), who played one of Mr. Noodle's Brothers
Tina Fey played a pirate captain in episode 4135 in 2007
Raúl Juliá (shown here in 1977), who played Rafael in 1971
Ruth Buzzi (shown here in 1996), who played Ruthie from 1993 to 2001