According to several outlets, the puppeteer who performs as Elmo on “Sesame Street” is taking a leave of absence from the popular kids’ show in the wake of allegations that he had a relationship with a 16-year-old boy.
Sesame Workshop told the Associated Press puppeteer Kevin Clash denies the charges, which were first made in June by the alleged partner, who by then was 23.
“We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action,” Sesame Workshop said in a statement issued Monday. “We met with the accuser twice and had repeated communications with him. We met with Kevin, who denied the accusation.”
The organization said its investigation found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated. But it said Clash exercised “poor judgment” and was disciplined for violating company policy regarding Internet usage. It offered no details.
“I had a relationship with (the accuser),” Clash told TMZ. “It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not.”
At his request, Clash has been granted a leave of absence in order to “protect his reputation,” Sesame Workshop said.
No further explanation was provided, nor was the duration of his leave specified.
“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,” Sesame Workshop said in its statement.
The 52-year-old Clash has been a “Sesame Street” puppeteer since 1984, when he was handed the fuzzy red puppet named Elmo and asked to come up with a voice for him. Clash transformed the character, which had been an ensemble member of the Muppets troupe for a number of years, into a major star rivaling Big Bird as the face of “Sesame Street.”
In 2006, Clash published an autobiography, “My Life as a Furry Red Monster,” and was the subject of the 2011 documentary “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.”
Information from TMZ and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
