Photo: PBS/courtesy Everett Collection
Emilio Delgado, who played Fix-it Shop owner Luis Rodriguez onSesame Streetfor 45 years, has died. He was 81.
“A beloved member of the Sesame family for over 50 years, his warmth and humor invited children to share a friendship that has echoed through generations,” a rep forSesame Streetshares in a statement to PEOPLE.
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty
Born May 8, 1940, in Calexico, California, Emilio spent his early childhood living with his grandparents just across the border in Mexicali, Mexico. He made his onscreen debut in 1968 with the Emmy Award-winningCanción de la Raza, the first Mexican-American soap opera.
Emilio joinedSesame Streetas Luis in 1971 and, with the exception of a brief hiatus in 1988, remained on the show until 2016. He continued appearing with the show’s cast at public events and returned forSesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebrationin 2019.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The actor’s credits also include episodes ofHawaii Five-0,Falcon Crest,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,House of CardsandThe Get Down.
RELATED VIDEO: Empire Actress Lindsey Pearlman’s Autopsy Complete After She Was Found Dead Inside a Vehicle
source: people.com
