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Adored by people around the world, Elmo is an international icon. But few people know the inspiring story of his creator, Kevin Clash. As a kid growing up in Baltimore in the 1970s, Clash had a dream to be a puppeteer and work with his idol, Jim Henson. With a supportive family behind him every step of the way, Clash made those dreams come true. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and directed by Constance Marks, Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey includes rare archival footage and interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney, and others, offering a unique look at Kevin Clash’s life on Sesame Street and at the Jim Henson Workshop. Being Elmo airs Thursday April 5 at 7 p.m. on KUED.

Kevin Clash, whose characters include Elmo, Hoots the Owl, and Baby Natasha, is Sesame Street’s senior puppet coordinator and Muppet™ captain as well as Sesame Workshop’s senior creative consultant. Clash began building puppets at age 10 and performed on Baltimore’s harbor front and on local television as a teenager. Clash’s first professional 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 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 director for Sesame Street episodes and other projects.

His most recent work includes directing and appearing in Talk, Listen, Connect: When Families Grieve. He also directed the Muppet™ segments of the PBS primetime special Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times. Clash won the 2011 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series for his work as Elmo on Sesame Street. He also won the award for seasons 21, 35-37, 39, and 40. In 2001-2008, 2010, and 2011, he won for his work as co-executive producer for Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series. In September 2006, Clash released his autobiography, My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud.

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