Lloyd Morrisett, co-founder of Sesame Street, passes away

Lloyd Morrisett, the co-founder of the children's TV show Sesame Street, has died.

Lloyd Morrisett, the co-founder of Sesame Street, has passed away.
Lloyd Morrisett, the co-founder of Sesame Street, has passed away.  © Collage: KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP / IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

The psychologist was praised for having left an "outsized and indelible legacy" among generations of children around the world. He was 93.

Morrisett was one of the pioneers of using technology to educate, and was reportedly the first person to consider using television to teach young children basic skills.

His death was announced via the Sesame Workshop on Tuesday, though no further details were given.

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"Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of our esteemed and beloved co-founder Lloyd N Morrisett, PhD, who died at the age of 93," read a statement on the organization's Twitter.

"A Lifetime Honorary Trustee, Lloyd leaves an outsized and indelible legacy among generations of children the world over, with Sesame Street only the most visible tribute to a lifetime of good work and lasting impact."

The statement continued: "A wise, thoughtful, and above all kind leader of the Workshop for decades, Lloyd was fascinated by the power of technology and constantly thinking about new ways it could be used to educate."

Sharing a quote from Morrisett's co-founder and close friend Joan Ganz Cooney, it added: "Without Lloyd Morrisett, there would be no Sesame Street.

"It was he who first came up with the notion of using television to teach preschoolers basic skills, such as letters and numbers.

"He was a trusted partner and loyal friend to me for over fifty years, and he will be sorely missed."

Sesame Street first premiered on public television stations in the US on November 10, 1969, and still airs today.

The news comes less than two months after the death of Bob McGrath, one of the first non-Muppet regular characters on the show.

Cover photo: Collage: KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP / IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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