Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash Accused of Inappropriate Relationship

Elmo, the Sesame Street puppet, has been an American icon for nearly 30 years.  He has been in millions of households as children learn their ABC's on the educational children's program.  However, the man who made him popular is now under fire for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

Kevin Clash has been the voice of Elmo the fuzzy red puppet on Sesame Street Workshop since the '80's.  According to his wikipedia page, Elmo was actually developed in the 70's and has had multiple people voice his character over time.  It wasn't until the 80s that Clash took over the character and gave him real energy and life.

However, that life may be in jeopardy since Clash has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

"In June of this year, Sesame Workshop received a communication from a then-23-year-old man who alleged that he had a relationship beginning when he was 16 years old with Kevin Clash, a Sesame Workshop puppeteer who performs as Elmo,”

 

Clash has denied the accusation but has since taken a leave of absence so he could act “to protect his reputation” according to The Washington Post.

Sesame Street Workshop has also contended that “Elmo is bigger than any one person and will continue to be an integral part of ‘Sesame Street’ to engage, educate and inspire children around the world, as it has for 40 years.”