'Sesame Street' cast member Bob McGrath has died, family says

Bob McGrath, an original "Sesame Street" cast member, has died, his family announced Sunday. He was 90 years old.

"Our father Bob McGrath passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family," they wrote on Facebook.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization that produces educational children's programs, wrote on Twitter that it "mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years."

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"A founding cast member, Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world," it wrote, "... whether teaching them the ABCs, the people in their neighborhood or the simple joy of feeling music in their hearts."

"A revered performer worldwide, Bob's rich tenor filled airwaves and concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Tokyo many times over. We will be forever grateful for his many years of passionate creative contributions to Sesame Street and honored that he shared so much of his life with us," Sesame Workshop added.

In an interview with "Good Morning America" in 1989, Charlie Gibson asked McGrath what the most satisfying part of doing "Sesame Street" is.

"You say you've raised five children. You didn't raise five children. You've raised millions of kids," Gibson said at the time.

"It's always hard in raising your own, Charlie. As you know," McGrath said. "[Twenty] million other kids is easy, but five of your own is tough. It's hard to say. I guess, I really enjoy working with and for kids and seeing when a kid gets a new idea and runs with it, seeing what happens to his mind, as a father you know that's tremendously thrilling."

McGrath also appeared on "GMA" in 1991 and sang along with children in the studio to "People in Your Neighborhood," "Rubber Duckie" and "Sing."

"Sesame Street" premiered in 1969, with McGrath playing Bob Johnson. His last appearance on the show was in 2017, after nearly 50 years.

ABC News' Chris Donovan contributed to this report.

'Sesame Street' cast member Bob McGrath has died, family says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com