Bob McGrath will live on forever as his character on Sesame Street. Robert Emmett McGrath was his given name and Bob Johnson was the name of the role on Sesame Street. He was the human corralling a cast of Muppet characters. Sesame Street was a mainstay of the childhoods of my offspring and I have wonderful memories of watching it with them.
But McGrath was more than his role on Sesame Street. Born on June 13, 1932, he attended the University of Michigan where he was a member of the Glee Club and Phi Gamma Delta. He graduated in 1954 and spent two years in the U.S. Army. An accomplished musician, he served in Germany where he booked gigs for and performed with the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra. After his Army stint, he earned a Master’s in voice from the Manhattan School of Music.
The January 1962 issue of The Phi Gamma Delta magazine included an article about his stint with Mitch Miller.
Phi Gamma Delta Magazine, January 1962
According to the University of Michigan Alumni Association website:
At the start of 1969, BOB MCGRATH, ’54, was a classically trained vocalist with network TV appearances and international tours to his name. A chance reunion with U-M fraternity brother and former “Captain Kangaroo” producer Dave Connell, ’55, MA’56, brought the premise of a new children’s educational show—“Sesame Street”—to McGrath’s attention. Although he initially turned down the chance to audition, McGrath became enthusiastic about the idea after watching video of the distinctive work of Jim Henson and his Muppets. McGrath successfully auditioned and became one of the four original human cast members when “Sesame Street” premiered on Nov. 10, 1969. He enjoyed an on-screen presence for 45 seasons.
In 2010, McGrath served as master of ceremonies at the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club 150th anniversary celebration. He was also awarded the Glee Club’s first Lifetime Achievement Award.
McGrath died on December 4, 2022, at the age of 90.
