David Smyrl facts for kids

David Langston Smyrl (born September 13, 1935 – died March 22, 2016) was an American actor and writer. He was also known as David L. Smyrl. He is most famous for playing Mr. Handford on the popular children's TV show Sesame Street. Mr. Handford was a kind, retired firefighter who ran Hooper's Store from 1990 to 1998. David Smyrl won eight Emmy Awards for his amazing work on Sesame Street.

David Smyrl's Early Life and Career Beginnings

David Smyrl was born in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1935. He grew up in that same neighborhood. In the 1960s, he started his career as a coffeehouse poet in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.

His first TV acting job was on a show called Express Yourself in the 1970s. In 1978, he also performed in a Broadway musical called Working.

Later, Smyrl moved to California. There, he became a writer for the TV show Benson, which was a comedy show. He even won a People's Choice Award for his writing on Benson. After that, he joined The Cosby Show as a writer. He also acted on the show, playing a character named Sam Lucas in five episodes.

David Smyrl's Role on Sesame Street

David Smyrl is best known for his role on the long-running PBS children's show, Sesame Street. In 1982, the actor Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper (the original owner of Hooper's Store), passed away. The show included Mr. Hooper's death in a special episode in 1983.

In 1990, David Smyrl joined Sesame Street as Mr. Handford, the new owner of Hooper's Store. He took over from another actor, Leonard Jackson, who had played a slightly grumpy version of Mr. Handford. David Smyrl played Mr. Handford as a friendly store owner who often smiled and sang to the characters on Sesame Street. He was a beloved part of the show from 1990 until 1998.

Voice Acting and Film Work

Besides acting, David Smyrl was also a talented voice actor. He narrated commercials for many well-known brands. These included Canada Dry, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Levi Strauss & Co. 501 jeans, GMC, McDonald's, Pepsi, and Texaco.

He also appeared in movies. One of his film roles was in The Preacher's Wife in 1996. In this movie, he acted alongside famous stars like Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. He also played Jesse B. Simple in a documentary about the writer Langston Hughes, called The Dream Keeper.

David Smyrl's Personal Life

David Smyrl lived in Connecticut for some time. In 2004, he moved back to the Philadelphia area with his wife. They lived in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, which is a town close to Philadelphia. He also spent time volunteering. He performed for students at colleges and schools, and for people in prisons.

David Smyrl's Passing

David Smyrl passed away on March 22, 2016, at the age of 80. He died at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He was laid to rest at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd on March 28, 2016.