Elmo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elmo Monster
Sesame Street character
Elmo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
First appearance	Season 11 (1979–1980)
Portrayed by	Brian Muehl (1980–1984) Richard Hunt (1984) Kevin Clash (1984–2012) Ryan Dillon (2013–present)
Information
Species	Monster
Gender	Male
Nationality	American
Fur/skin color	Red

Elmo is a super popular red monster from the famous TV show Sesame Street. He's known for his happy laugh and is usually three and a half years old. Elmo even has his own special part of the show called Elmo's World. His best friend is an orange monster named Zoë.

Elmo wasn't always the famous character we know today. At first, he was just a background puppet with no name. Different puppeteers brought him to life. Brian Muehl was the first main performer for Elmo, giving him a quiet, whispery voice. Later, Richard Hunt performed Elmo with a rougher voice.

How Elmo Became a Star

Everything changed in 1984 when Kevin Clash took over as Elmo's puppeteer. Kevin gave Elmo a brand new voice using a special high-pitched singing technique called falsetto. This new voice, combined with Elmo's friendly personality, made him incredibly popular with young children and families.

Elmo has a unique way of talking. He always refers to himself in the third person. This means he says "Elmo wants a cookie!" instead of "I want a cookie!" It's one of his most recognizable traits. Elmo also has a pet goldfish named Dorothy. He loves to play his toy piano and ride his tricycle.

Tickle Me Elmo Toy Craze

In the 1990s, a toy called "Tickle Me Elmo" became a huge hit. This toy would laugh and shake when you tickled it. It was so popular that it became one of the most wanted Sesame Street toys ever sold. People lined up for hours to get one!

Images for kids

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  Elmo and Rosita film a PSA in 2004 with then-Senator Hillary Clinton

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  Elmo and Kevin Clash at 69th Annual Peabody Awards, May 2010

See also

In Spanish: Elmo para niños