Emilio Delgado, who spent more than 40 years entertaining generations of kids playing Luis, the owner of a fix-it shop on "Sesame Street," has died, according to his manager.
He was 81 years old.
"We are saddened by the news of Emilio's passing. Emilio was a huge talent who brought great joy and smiles to his fans. He will be missed by many and we know his legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with his loved ones." together, including his wife, Carol," A3 Artists Agency CEO Robert Eterman told CNN in a statement.
The actor died on Thursday at his home in New York City. According to a report in TMZ quoting his wife, in 2020 he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
Before the pandemic broke out in early 2020, Delgado had been active at the theater, starring in "Quixote Nuevo", a version of "Don Quixote". His extensive stage work included serving as the artistic director of the Barrio Theater Ensemble in East Los Angeles.
Nevertheless, he will be best remembered for the popular children's program. Delgado cited the importance of the PBS show as a cultural benchmark in the way people of color were portrayed on TV.
"For the first time on television, they portrayed Latinos as real humans," Delgado told the Houston Chronicle in 2020. "We weren't addicted to dope. We weren't maids or prostitutes, the way we were being portrayed on television and in film. Here, on 'Sesame Street,' there were different people who spoke different languages and interesting ate food, and they were all American."
"A beloved member of the Mole family for more than 50 years, his warmth and humor invite children to share a friendship that is echoed through generations," Sesame Workshop said of Delgado in a statement to CNN. "At the forefront of representation, Emilio proudly claims the record for 'longest running role for a Mexican-American in a TV series'." We are so grateful that he shared his talent with us and with the world."
Beyond "Sesame Street", Delgado appeared early in his career in series such as "Law & Order" and in the plays "Lou Grant" and "Falcon Crest". He also co-starred in the 1975 TV film "I Will Fight No More Forever", a true story about Nez Perce Native American leader Chief Joseph.
Delgado was born in Calexico, California, but was raised by his grandparents on the other side of the US-Mexican border in Mexicali.