About
"I used to really be shocked when people would tell me that I was their first real teacher, or it was because of me and because of 'Sesame Street' in particular, that they became who they are in terms of choosing their profession or really beginning to love learning....It's still very humbling to hear that kind of thing and to know that I've had a part in it in some way."
In his two-hour interview, Roscoe Orman discusses his childhood in the Bronx and chronicles his theater work at the start of his career. He recounts his participation in the Civil Rights Movement, and recalls meeting Martin Luther King, Jr. Orman then details his three decades playing "Gordon Robinson" on the groundbreaking children's series Sesame Street. He describes how he won the role, which puppets are his favorites, and what he believes the legacy of Sesame Street will be. Orman shares some of his favorite episodes and storylines from the program, including the memorable "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" episode and the adoption of "Gordon's" son, "Milo." He also touches on his television work on All My Children, Sanford and Son, Sex and the City, and Kojak. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 20, 2004 at the Sesame Workshop in New York, NY.
Highlights
Roscoe Orman on his Sesame Street character "Gordon"
Roscoe Orman on learning to relate to Muppets, and to the kids on Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on Jim Henson and how "Ernie" even more so than "Kermit" represented Jim
Roscoe Orman on Carroll Spinney's "Big Bird" and "Oscar the Grouch"
Roscoe Orman on Sesame Street's: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on growing up in the Bronx; on his talent for drawing; on performing in school plays; on performing off-Broadway during his senior year of high school
On attending the Manhattan School of Music; on joining Actors Equity; on his first television appearance - in Philadelphia; on Matt Robinson, the original "Gordon" on Sesame Street
On his early recollections of television; on meeting Roy Rogers; on his awareness of the lack of diversity on television during his childhood; on his early stage performances; on joining the Free Southern Theater and getting arrested in the segregated South for trying to integrate a New Orleans bar; on joining the New Lafayette Theater in Harlem
Chapter 2
On meeting Martin Luther King, Jr. and other Civil Rights Leaders in the South; on acting and directing at the New Lafayette Theater in Harlem; on starring in the film Willie Dynamite in Hollywood
On Morgan Freeman on The Electric Company; on returning to New York Theater; on how he got his start on Sesame Street; on his audition for "Gordon" on Sesame Street; on his first days on Sesame Street and trying to win over the kids on set; on the Muppets/puppets he relates to best
Chapter 3
On Kevin Clash and "Elmo;" on "Grover" being his favorite puppet; on Jim Henson; on Carroll Spinney's "Big Bird" and "Oscar the Grouch; " on "Trash Gordon;" on his character - "Gordon" on Sesame Street
On rules for playing "Gordon;" on feedback from parents; on "Gordon's" relationship with "Susan" on Sesame Street; on Sesame Street's: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" in which the characters explain to "Big Bird" that Mr. Hooper died; on important Sesame Street storylines;
Roscoe Orman on some of his favorite guests on Sesame Street; on his memory of Ray Charles' appearance on the show
Chapter 4
On the legacy of Sesame Street; on Joan Ganz Cooney; on his role on All My Children; on his role on Sanford and Son; on his appearance on Sex and the City
On his appearance on Kojak; on advice to an aspiring actor; on people recognizing him
Shows
All My Children
Roscoe Orman on his role on All My Children
Amos 'N' Andy
Roscoe Orman on his awareness of the lack of diversity on television during his childhood
Cosby Show, The
Roscoe Orman on Matt Robinson, the original "Gordon" on Sesame Street and later head writer for The Cosby Show
Electric Company, The
Roscoe Orman on Morgan Freeman on The Electric Company
Kojak
Roscoe Orman on his appearance on Kojak
Sanford and Son
Roscoe Orman on his role on Sanford and Son
Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on how he got his start on Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on his first days on Sesame Street and trying to win over the kids on set
Roscoe Orman on the Jim Henson puppeteers, Muppets he relates to best, and working with Frank Oz and Kevin Clash on Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on the puppeteers, puppets, and characters of Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on Sesame Street's: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
Roscoe Orman on the legacy of Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on people recognizing him as "Gordon" on Sesame Street
Sesame Street: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
Roscoe Orman on Sesame Street's: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
Sex and the City
Roscoe Orman on his appearance on Sex and the City
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Roscoe Orman on his audition for "Gordon" on Sesame Street and meeting with writer Jon Stone
Roscoe Orman on his Sesame Street character "Gordon"
Civil Rights Movement
Roscoe Orman on meeting Martin Luther King, Jr. and other Civil Rights Leaders in the South; on TV news coverage of the movement
Representation on Television
Roscoe Orman on his awareness of the lack of diversity on television during his childhood
Underrepresented Voices
Roscoe Orman on his awareness of the lack of diversity on television during his childhood
Roscoe Orman on "Gordon's" relationship with "Susan" on Sesame Street
Professions
Actor
Roscoe Orman on loving performing for a live audience
Genres
Children's Programming
Roscoe Orman on his first days on Sesame Street and trying to win over the kids on set Orman on
Roscoe Orman on the Jim Henson puppeteers, Muppets he relates to best, and working with Frank Oz and Kevin Clash on Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on his audition for "Gordon" on Sesame Street and meeting with writer Jon Stone
Roscoe Orman on Kevin Clash, "Elmo," and "Hoots the Owl"
Roscoe Orman on his Sesame Street character "Gordon" and the characteristics writer Jon Stone told him "Gordon" should have
Roscoe Orman on Sesame Street's: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
Roscoe Orman on Carroll Spinney's "Big Bird" and "Oscar the Grouch"
Roscoe Orman on the legacy of Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on people recognizing him as "Gordon" on Sesame Street
People
Ray Charles
Roscoe Orman on some of his favorite guests on Sesame Street
Kevin Clash
Roscoe Orman on Kevin Clash and why people love "Elmo"
Roscoe Orman on Kevin Clash, "Elmo," and "Hoots the Owl"
Joan Ganz Cooney
Roscoe Orman on Joan Ganz Cooney
Morgan Freeman
Roscoe Orman on Morgan Freeman
Robert Guillaume
Roscoe Orman on his audition for "Gordon" on Sesame Street - Robert Guillame was another person considered for the role
Jim Henson
Roscoe Orman on Jim Henson
Richard Hunt
Roscoe Orman on Kevin Clash and "Elmo" and Clash taking over the role from Richard Hunt
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Roscoe Orman on meeting Martin Luther King, Jr.
Will Lee
Roscoe Orman on learning to relate to Muppets, and to the kids on Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on Sesame Street's: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
Loretta Long
Roscoe Orman on learning to relate to Muppets, and to the kids on Sesame Street
Roscoe Orman on "Gordon's" relationship with "Susan" on Sesame Street
Whitman Mayo
Roscoe Orman on his friendship with Sanford and Son's Whitman Mayo - an actor at the New Lafayette Theater
Bob McGrath
Roscoe Orman on learning to relate to Muppets, and to the kids on Sesame Street
Frank Oz
Roscoe Orman on the Muppets/puppets he relates to best - Frank Oz's
Matt Robinson
Roscoe Orman on Matt Robinson, the original "Gordon" on Sesame Street
Roy Rogers
Roscoe Orman on meeting Roy Rogers
Caroll Spinney
Roscoe Orman on Carroll Spinney's "Big Bird" and "Oscar the Grouch"
Jon Stone
Roscoe Orman on his audition for "Gordon" on Sesame Street and meeting with writer Jon Stone
Roscoe Orman on his Sesame Street character "Gordon" and the characteristics writer Jon Stone told him "Gordon" should have