He is known for his work on Sesame Street (1969), The Cosby Show (1984) and Amazing Grace (1974). Matt Robinson's Gordon of Sesame Street Story Book Vintage 1972 Random House: Condition: Good. Menu. Besides originating the Gordon character, Robinson worked as a writer and producer on the … Hooper learns Spanish. Matt Robinson (January 1, 1937 - August 5, 2002) was a writer, producer, and actor who originated the role of Gordon on Sesame Street, playing the part from 1969 to 1972. Matt Robinson. Ah, but if you were part of the original "Sesame Street" audience - as I was - you will remember Matt Robinson as the original Gordon. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. See the article in its original context from. Originally voiced by Matt Robinson, who portrayed the first Gordon on Sesame Street, Roosevelt was an African-American Muppet who had his own school (named Roosevelt Franklin Elementary School). A local television personality hosting Philadelphia on WFIL’s Black Book, Robinson created a short-lived character, Roosevelt Franklin, with the intent of celebrating diversity rather than homogenizing it. Robinson was the first actor to portray the character of Gordon Robinson on the PBS children's TV program Sesame Street. Reprinted without permission Matt Robinson, a writer for the 1980's sitcom The Cosby Show and the first actor to play kindly neighbor Gordon on the children's show Sesame Street died in his sleep on Monday after a 20-year struggle with Parkinson's disease. A Celebration of Life: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. A Special Program with Arthur Fiedler and Friends from Sesame Street, Sesame Street Presents: The Street We Live On. But where Sesame Street's cast and crew pride themselves in not talking down to their audience or shying away from ... Actor Matt Robinson Jr.'s reveal that the decline of … He was married to Dolores Robinson. Robinson was one of the original creators of the show and appeared on television for the first three seasons. Even though he is best known as the first actor to play the amiable history teacher Gordon on the popular children's television series Sesame Street, Matt Robinson made many more contributions to the small screen. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Check out some of our favorite Hollywood couples who found romance together on screen and in real life. In 1969, he took the role of Gordon on the PBS children's program ''Sesame Street'' and also provided the voice of the purple-faced puppet Roosevelt Franklin. In fact, the character was later given the last name "Robinson" in honor of the actor who originally played him. He is known for his work on, Gordon / Roosevelt Franklin / Gordon Robinson, Maverick, A New Type Of Social Network For Girls, Launches Today â Backed by $2.7 M In Funding, 'Sesame Street' launches search for missing original star. [1] “Sesame Street” didn’t start with Big Bird, Bert and Ernie.It started with Joan, Jon and Jim. Matt Robinson, a writer for the 1980s sitcom "The Cosby Show" and the first actor to play kindly neighbor Gordon on the children's show "Sesame Street," has died. Matt Robinson, a writer for the 1980's ''Cosby Show'' and the first actor to play the endearing neighbor Gordon on ''Sesame Street,'' died on Monday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 65. He died in his sleep Monday at his Los Angeles home after a 20-year struggle with Parkinson's disease (news - web sites), spokeswoman Patti Webster said Tuesday. When Sesame Street began in 1969, not only did Robinson play Gordon, but he also provided the voice of the puppet Roosevelt Franklinand also was one of the show's producers. Matt Robinson dies. Matthew Thomas “Matt” Robinson Jr., the actor beloved as the first to play kindly neighbor Gordon on children’s TV show “Sesame Street” and … The Robinson family is a fictional family in the children's television series Sesame Street. Gordon of Sesame Street Story Book The director and producers of the new documentary discuss diving into 50 years of "Sesame Street" history ... played by Matthew Robinson. Details about Matt Robinson's Gordon of Sesame Street Story Book Vintage 1972 Random House See original listing. Matt Robinson, 65, TV Writer And a 'Sesame Street' Actor. In addition to Ms. Peete, he is survived by a son, Matt Robinson III, and five grandchildren. Garrett Saunders (full name Garrett Hobart Saunders, 1929-1984) was a New York stage actor who played the role of Gordon in the original test pilots of Sesame Street (screened for a week on a single Philadelphia station), and can be seen in the first test show included on the Sesame Street: Old School Volume 2 DVD set. They're looking for him! Matt Robinson (January 1, 1937 - August 5, 2002) was a writer, producer, and actor who originated the role of Gordon on Sesame Street, playing the part from 1969 to 1972. His marriage to Dolores Robinson ended in divorce. It ultimately led to Robinson’s departure from the show and was a blow to the creators who had from the beginning intended for “Sesame Street” to be a … The "Sesame Street" doc, "Street Gang," corrals sums up in 100 minutes just how groundbreaking the show was. Matt Robinson was working as a writer and producer for Opportunity in Philadelphia, a local show that advertised job opportunities for African-Americans. In later years, when producers … Though impaired muscle coordination from Parkinson's made it difficult for him to work at times, he remained with the show for seven seasons. Only two actors have followed Mr. Robinson as Gordon. Later, the family expands to include their adopted son Miles, as well as Gordon's sister Olivia, and his father Mr. Robinson. Garrett Saunders, the long lost Gordon. Newsletters. He is known for his work on Sesame Street (1969), The Cosby Show (1984) and Amazing Grace (1974). Singing along to “can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street,” was a rite of childhood and watching the street’s residents with your favorite puppets was a highlight. Robinson also created the character of Roosevelt Franklin, and performed Roosevelt's voice. Born Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr. in 1937, he was raised in Philadelphia and attended Pennsylvania State University. Through the years, various actors played “Gordon,” but the first one to assume the role was Matt Robinson, a member of Omega Phi Psi Fraternity, Inc. 'Sesame Street' hosts Matt Robinson , Will Lee Loretta Long and Bob McGrath stand with Big Bird in a promotional still on the set of the educational public television series, circa 1969. He had suffered from Parkinson's disease for 20 years, a family spokeswoman said. He left the show in 1972. Matt Robinson: The Writer Before Sesame Street began, back when they were figuring out what Sesame Street should be, diversity was an important topic to tackle. Matt Robinson, a writer for the 1980's ''Cosby Show'' and the first actor to play the endearing neighbor Gordon on ''Sesame Street,'' died on Monday at his home in Los Angeles. '', The major part of his career was as a writer for shows that included ''Sanford and Son'' and ''Eight is Enough.''. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Matt Robinson was born on January 1, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA as Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr. ... Jon Stone and Matt Robinson, among others. See his full interview at http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/roscoe-orman It ultimately led to Robinson’s departure from the show and was a blow to the creators who had from the beginning intended for “Sesame Street” to be a … MATT ROBINSON Matt Robinson (Jan 1, 1937- August 5, 2002) was a writer, producer, and actor who originated the role of Gordon on Sesame Street, playing the part from 1969 to 1972. “Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street” premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in the Premieres section. He was 65. Robinson also created the character of Roosevelt Franklin, and performed Roosevelt's voice. The film discusses Matt Robinson, the original actor to play Gordon, who left because he wanted to further the depiction of realistic Black characters but Black parents complained. Lyrics By – Matt Robinson; Notes Published By Pickled Pig Feet Music, Inc. Mr. Robinson went on to produce and write the films ''Save The Children'' (1973) and ''Amazing Grace'' (1974). Can you tell this man how to get to 'Sesame Street'? Mr. Robinson, who was also the father of the actress Holly Robinson Peete, began his show-business career in 1963 as a writer, producer and performer at the Philadelphia television station WCAU. Matthew “Matt” Robinson, Jr. (Lib 1958) debuted as Gordon on the first episode of Sesame Street on November 10, 1969. He remained with the show until 1971. From an AP article on Yahoo News. He died on August 5, 2002 in Los Angeles, California, USA. In 1983, he joined Bill Cosby as a staff writer and producer for the NBC family comedy ''The Cosby Show.'' He died on August 5, 2002 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was 65. 'Sesame Street' hosts Matt Robinson , Will Lee Loretta Long and Bob McGrath stand with Big Bird in a promotional still on the set of the educational... Red muppet visits Oscar the Grouch, inside his garbage can, in a scene from the children's television program 'Sesame Street,' 1980s. Robinson also created the character of Roosevelt Franklin, and performed Roosevelt's voice. Ended: Jan 30, 2021. Price: Discounted price US $23.63. I started watching Sesame Street around 1976, four years after Matt Robinson left the role of Gordon. He was 65. He was married to Dolores Robinson. Matt Robinson was born on January 1, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA as Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr. Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr. (January 1, 1937 – August 5, 2002) was an American actor, writer and television producer. 1937-2002. Caroll Spinney AKA "Big Bird", Best Creator That Television Has Ever Seen, Oscar writes a beautiful nature poem/Mr. “Sesame Street” launched in 1969 and included a colorful array of puppets created by Jim Henson. Myers-Briggs Personalities of Fictional Characters, Face-Off: R.I.P. August 6, 2002. Television writer, producer, performer. Matt Robinson was born on January 1, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA as Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr. ‘Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street’ Review: A Dream Team Teaches Kids Math, the Alphabet and Integration Marilyn Agrelo’s sweeping look at … The family consists of husband Gordon, a high school science teacher, and his wife Susan, a nurse. He also wrote several plays, including the off-Broadway production ''The Confessions of Stepin Fetchit. Take a look back at the TV series that took home Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series in the categories of Drama and Comedy. He … Gordon of Sesame Street Story Book [Matt Robinson, Edward Koren, Joseph Mathieu, John Trotta, Stan Mack] on Amazon.com.