Kevin Clash

Kevin Clash, whose characters include Elmo, Hoots the Owl and Baby Natasha, is Sesame Street's former Senior Puppet Coordinator and Muppet Captain. He began building puppets at the age of ten and performed on Baltimore's Harbor Front and local television as a teenager.

Clash's first television work was for the CBS affiliate in Baltimore. He came to Sesame Street after attracting the attention of Muppet designer Kermit Love. Clash's film credits include Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film, Labyrinth, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I and II, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets from Space, and Elmo in Grouchland

His television work includes Oobi (playing Randy and several one-time characters), The Great Space Coaster, Captain Kangaroo, Dinosaurs and Muppets Tonight. He also was Co-Executive Producer for Elmopalooza, CinderElmo, and Elmo's World; Co-Producer for The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland; and also directs Sesame Street episodes and other projects. Most recently Clash directed and co-produced the home video series Sesame Beginnings for Sesame Workshop. Clash won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series for his work as Elmo and Hoots the Owl in Season 21 and Season 35, and in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 for his work as Co-Executive Producer for Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series.