November 14th, 2011
02:43 PM ET
'Sesame Street' asks: Have you seen this man?The producers of "Sesame Street" have looked high and low, and now they're turning to the Internet. The show is searching for the original actor who played the character of Gordon 42 years ago. Roscoe Orman is best known as playing that role since the show's sixth season. Two other actors played Gordon in the early years, but this particular unknown man only played Gordon in the landmark children's series' unaired pilot. "Sesame Street" has posted everything they know, including a clip of the unknown gentleman in the pilot. Unfortunately, even some of his fellow actors from that pilot, such as Big Bird actor Carroll Spinney, don't recall who he is.
The show wants people with any knowledge of who the "missing Gordon" is, to e-mail wheresgordon@sesame.org. According to their website, "It could be something seemingly small; something like 'my great aunt once said that her third cousin was almost on Sesame Street,' or, 'there was a person in my neighborhood who said he was on Sesame Street in the late 1960s.' And as we learn more, we'll post it here." Could it be that the show wants to put together a reunion of everyone who participated in that first episode they ever shot? Only time – not to mention anyone with knowledge of who the actor is – will tell.
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From the Sesame Street website: "In celebration of our 40th anniversary in 2009, we went through rooms full of Sesame Street archives – everything from clips and stills to letters and pay stubs. And we came up empty."
For those of you saying "Why don't they check old pay stubs/records?" the answer is they did.
They probably want to get him for back taxes or something.Dude is probably paranoid as heck and hiding in the basement someplace.
looks like greg morris from mission impossible
greg morris from mission impossible
That isn't the black man from the Lawrence Welk show who could tap dance and sing, is it?? I might be wrong...
no... that was arthur duncan... but i swear i've seen that face before... maybe he was a bit player on 222 or julia or the nipsey russell show...
Yeah, his face does look familiar. It would be nice if they could figure this out... There's got to be some kind of record or something.... I know, Captain Obvious, but still... I think it would be nice to be able to give credit where it is due.
Let's see... He filmed the pilot of a show that went on to become a classic. He was never hired to play the part for which he was impersonated for the series. I say you could find him on Bitter Street.
I think this guy is my uncle Napoles....
Holly Robinson Peete is his daughter. She'll tell you that he passed away.
I think he was the guy that played Mr. Drummand
His name is Ted Williams.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-udTIgNwE&w=640&h=360]
More details about the search can be found here: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Who_played_Gordon_in_the_Sesame_Street_test_pilot%3F
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0606569/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Morris
sadly mr morris has passed on.
it is actor greg morris. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHiEvVK5D-0
Wouldn't it have been easier for Sesame Street producers to simply call Tim Meadows and ask where his father is?
I don't know who that Gordon is, but BERT OWNZ that clip!
Why even bother to post this story online if people are not going to take this seriously?
Yeah... I just saw him on sesame street! Found him! I don't understand why they didn't try to look there first.. I am a genius. ....
Oh wait, I actually read the article, and comprehended it... Now I feel like an idiot. *sarc* (come on people...they looking for the "unknown man" in the picture.. not the guys who they just named in the article...)
What is going on when SS doesn't screen their employees. Look up convicted pedophile? How could they not have any information on this guy? Is this a stunt?
Wow.. you ARE lost... this was the 60's.........
I have some grainy Super 8 film from several years ago showing what appears to be this Lost Gordon walking naked through a forest near Orleans, California. It's only a few seconds long. He glances briefly at the camera and quickly disappears into the brush.
I think it's Matt Robinson or Roscoe Orman.
god, are there some stupid people on here.
Greg Morris
Can't be Greg Morris. This episode was the pilot episode done in the late 60's and this guy looks way too old during that time frame to be Greg Morris.
Didn't he become a successful film actor? Or, am I confusing him with Morgan Freeman/The Electric Company?
it's conrad murray!!!! working his way thru med school!!!
Are they seriously saying they have no idea who he is??
Did they not keep credits in the actor scripts back in the 70's? Not sure I believe that.
Where are the people in your neighborhood?
Has anyone checked IMDB?
It probably would not be on IMDB only because this episode was never aired.
Reddit is helping.
Source: http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/m7g6k/reddit_we_lost_something_can_you_help_sesame/
Based on the picture they provided, he appears to be in his 30's, which would make is age today around 70 something. He may not even be alive. However, If he is still alive, you can only hope that he looks close to the same as he did 42 years ago. Good Luck!
Apparently he doesn't want to be found. leave the poor guy alone. Oh, by the way, does anyone remember Morgan Freeman way back when he was on "The Electric company", ? I'd ask Morgan. I'd bet anything he'll know where to find him.
u r all idiotas
Finally, vindication. For years I told people there was more than one actor to play Gordon on Sesame Street and no one believed me.
Hope they find the guy from the pilot.
I seen him at Occupy Sesame Street movement.
U guys re all jokers
Isn't that will smith? He played that movie Snakes On A Plane!
That was Herman Cain...and the movie was "Snake In My Pants".
Isn't that Shaft?
When they find Mr. Orman... I hope they'll start looking for the original "Big Newt."
I like the look in ernies bathtub post! Lol going to be giggling on that one 4 awhile..
Get it straight... NOT Hal Miller, NOT Matt Robinson and NOT Roscoe Orman... Keep looking people!
Looks like Tim Meadows aka The Ladies Man
its no wonder he is hiding
Maybe he was mad that Big Bird was making more money and abruptly quit leavig no trace.
How can people be so rude and inconsiderate? it just doesnt make since to me. i grew up watching sesame street and so have my 3 boys and all of my cousins. I pray that they are able to find this mystery Gordon or at least information about him. Good luck on the search for Gordon!!!
He selling dope down on 14th Street in DC
How come they didn't air the pilot?? Were they not satisfied with his performance?
It's pretty common for new TV shows to produce pilots that will never air. They're made to show to test audiences or to executives, to get feedback on whether or not the show has ratings potential. This particular pilot was only shown to some focus groups of children.
Lol what a nerd!!!
Have people forgotten how to read? The article says, and I quote "Roscoe Orman is best known as playing that role since the show's sixth season." The person that is being looked for is the man who played the role of Gordon on the unaired pilot, 6 years BEFORE Roscoe Orman took over the role. Please comprehend and understand what you're reading before posting on message boards.
Im still laughin at the mysterie solver from facebook
Wasn't he KIA in Viet Nam. No, that was the Beaver Cleaver.
Isn't that OJ in the picture?
Lets hope he didn't start hanging with Jim Jones.
Wouldn't it be funny if his name really was Gordon? I mean, Bob=Bob, Luis=Luis ... sure, not all actors and characters share the same name on SS, but neither would it be unprecedented.
I hope they find him. They could have a Battle Royale between all the Gordons.
Actually that's not a bad place to start. If he was the first, and the other characters are named after the actors that play them, perhaps Gordon was first played by someone named Gordon.
He's probably in a crack house somewhere.
Why because he's black? Oh wait, yeah you're probably right.
Holly Robinson-Peete said her dad played Gordon. I do believe he may have passed away though.
True but that is not the one they are looking for!
They want to find him and remind him he missed out on forty years of a steady paycheck.
Funny how fast I found Mr. Orman on Facebook, plus he has a website to contact him http://www.roscoeorman.com/
I emailed the sesames.org and Mr. Orman.
Haaha... Sorry sweetie you did wrong! That is not the one they were looking for! Orman and Robinson played Gordon but they are looking for ANOTHER guy that played him ONCE. Don't be suprised if no one emails you back!
reading comprehension fail
wow. that's bad. read..
If thats the case imagine how many fake gordons
people calm down...maybe he doest want to be Found..
Chances are good this actor has passed away. PBS should check its 1969 payroll records to see if this guy was ever paid for appearing in the unaired test pilot episode. Otherwise, their only hope is if a family member comes forward.
They should have a cash reward for anyone who gives correct information leading to this guy's whereabouts. Only then would I spend time lending help to a billion dollar empire like sesame street.
You can always tell who the stupid greedy ones are. You want a reward cause your not going to help some billion dollar empire, I want you as a friend, you sound very thoughtful and helpful
I wonder on what gordon overdosed on...check death records
Unbelievable the comments on here. They are looking for someone who was supposed to be "Gordon" and no one knows where he is at and everyone on here is making jokes. As to Shingo, why can't they have a reunion? Just because Mr Hooper is dead, there are others who can go. You don't stop having family reunions because Granny died or whatever.
And to those who are saying that they "found" Roscoe Orman, THIS IS NOT HIM!! This is the guy who was filmed for the original unaired show, not the one now. READ the article and understand.
Seasame Street is somehting I grew up on, and my daughter watched it and was counting to 15 by the time she was 2. I'm sorry if people think this is funny but they are looking for someone who was almost part of television history and apparently no one knows who or where he is. Where is his family and friends?
@ Ryan.... they are being a$$e$....it is serious. His name was Matt Robinson. He was Holly Robinson Peete's father. He passed in 2002...
"Could it be that the show wants to put together a reunion of everyone who participated in that first episode they ever shot?"
Impossible, unless you want do exhume the corpses of people like Mr. Hooper.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Roscoe+Orman
brilliant genious, you found the one the are NOT looking for. Keep looking!
Hey Elvis- haven't seen you around the Waffle House lately! Where ya been?
@Fred- He's you baby's daddy? Interesting?!!!!!!
Little moody today ?
Hint: Look in Ernie's bath tub.
Is that Holly Robinson Peete's father??
Nah, you are right he played him for a while but they are looking for the other guy that played him only once!
Yes
yes, Sharon
I don't know about the guy in the photo, but the current "Gordon" used to be on AMC where he played a pimp...LOL
They should check to see if he's registered with SAG (Screen Actors Guild).
They need to check with the agents who were working New York TV at the time. Someone sent him to the audition. Someone cast him. there have to be call sheets. I mean really...check with AFTRA. I assume he got paid. check the payroll...hell, check with the IRS,
Well thank God you solved it for them. I'm sure they never thought of any of that! No need for anyone else to keep looking now. You have all of the answers no one else has!!
yeah jive turkey.
I'm sure the could just do a quick search of their computer records from the early 60's.......
*hang*
Do you hand with hoffa too ?
I'm Elvis, I don't hang with people, people hang with me. Got it?
Not the real Elvis or even blog Elvis..... An impostor!
What do you mean you can't find Roscoe (Gordon), he's been hanging out with me and we're going to play golf today.
They can't find the nameless man in the picture who played Gordon BEFORE Roscoe. All the article said is that Roscoe is the most well-known Gordon on Sesame Street.
I think this guy was homeless, living on the street until a youtube video made him famous. Now he does Mac and Cheese voiceover ads
One of the "L"s in LL's name must stand for "literal".
FIRSTY to see this man from Sesame Street
Pretty hilarious, dogma.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Robinson_(actor), Is this who you are looking for?
There is a Roscoe Orman on Facebook that lists his job as an actor and child's advocate: http://www.facebook.com/#!/roscoe.orman If they are looking, I don't think they are looking very hard. This took 5 seconds.
Nah you all, Robinson and Orman were the others that played Gordon. They are looking for one that played him once!
I seen him! He was in The Ladie's Man.
Very good, LMA, but this is not the Gordon they're looking for. Apparently the Gordon they're looking for is in another castle. Roscoe Orman has been playing the role of Gordon for years; they're looking for the actor who played Gordon just once, in the pilot back in the 1960's, and never since.
http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Matt_Robinson
"In 1982, Robinson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He continued
to work, however, contributing scripts to Captain Kangaroo
and becoming producer and head writer for The
Cosby Show . He made a rare return to the camera
in the 1990 episode "Cliff's Nightmare", which featured Muppet guest
stars. In 2002, Robinson died at the age of 65.