Emilio Delgado, who played Luis on "Sesame Street" for over 40 years, died
Key Takeaways:
- Emilio Delgado, who played Fix-It Shop owner Luis on "Sesame Street" for more than 40 years and entertained generations of children, has died, according to his manager.
- Delgado was born in Calexico, California, but grew up in Mexicali, Mexico, with his grandparents on the other side of the US-Mexico border.
According to his manager, Emilio Delgado, who performed the Fix-It Shop owner Luis on "Sesame Street" for even more than 40 years and also entertained generations of kids, has died.
He was 81 years old when he died.
"Emilio's death has come as a shock to us. Emilio was a huge talent who brought his fans a lot of happiness and smiles. Many people will miss him, and we know his legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with his family, particularly his wife, Carole, "A3 Artists Agency CEO Robert Attermann told CNN in a statement.
The actor died at his residence in New York City on Thursday. According to a TMZ report citing his wife, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in 2020.
Delgado had remained active in theatre before the pandemic struck in early 2020, starring in "Quixote Nuevo," a reimagining of "Don Quixote." His extensive stage experience included serving as artistic director of the East Los Angeles-based Barrio Theatre Ensemble.
Even so, he'll be remembered most for the popular children's show. Delgado had cited the PBS show as a cultural touchstone in portraying people of color on television.
"They showed Latinos as real human beings for the first time on television," Delgado informed the Houston Chronicle in 2020. "We weren't dope addicts in the first place. We weren't maids or prostitutes like we'd seen on television or in movies.
There were a variety of people on 'Sesame Street,' who did speak a variety of languages as well as ate a variety of foods, but they were all Americans."
"He was a cherished member of the Sesame family for over 50 years; his warmth and humor invited kids to share a friendship that has echoed via generations," Sesame Workshop stated in a statement to CNN. "
When he was at the forefront of representation, Emilio proudly asserted the "record for the longest-running role for a Mexican-American in a TV series." We will be forever thankful for his generosity in sharing his gifts with us as well as the rest of the world."
Delgado also appeared in "Law & Order" and the dramas "Lou Grant" and "Falcon Crest" early in his career, in addition to "Sesame Street." He also emerged in the 1975 TV movie "I Will Fight No More Forever," based on the true story of Nez Perce Chief Joseph.
Delgado was born in Calexico, California, but was raised by his grandparents in Mexicali, Mexico, on the other side of the US-Mexico border.