Jerry Nelson, Voice Of Sesame Street's The Count, Dies At 78

You may not recognize his face, but Jerry Nelson's voice probably taught you a thing or two about math once. Nelson, who gave life to Count von Count on PBS' Sesame Street, died Thursday at the age of 78 after a long battle with emphysema. "A member of the 'Sesame Street' family for more than 40 years, he will forever be in our hearts and remembered for the artistry in his puppetry, his music, and the laughter he brought to children worldwide through his portrayal of Count von Count, Herry Monster, Fat Blue, Sherlock Hemlock, the Amazing Mumford and many other beloved characters," a statement on Sesame Workshop's website, the show's production company, read.

Nelson began collaborating with The Muppets creator Jim Henson in the 60s, a decade before joining Sesame Street, and played Gobo on Fraggle Rock long before debuting on the hit show to which he dedicated his voice and career until death. "Jerry Nelson imbued all his characters with the same gentle, sweet whimsy and kindness that were a part of his own personality," Lisa Henson, daughter of Jim Henson and CEO of Jim Henson Co., told the Los Angeles Times. "He joined the Jim Henson Co. in the earliest years, and his unique contributions to the worlds of Fraggles, Muppets, Sesame Street and so many others are, and will continue to be, unforgettable." Sesame Street's forty-third season, premiering this September, will feature Nelson's voice in several episodes.

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