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Sad news as Philip Balsam  who – along with Dennis Lee – was the songwriter and composer  for Fraggle Rock and many other Henson productions has died.  The Henson Company posted the following tribute on social media: "For the magic, magic is in every moment. Magic is you.” – Balsam & Lee Today we honor and celebrate the life of Philip Balsam, who – along with Dennis Lee – was the songwriter and composer of the nearly 200 memorable and beloved songs for Fraggle Rock , including its iconic theme song. A cherished member of our Fraggle Rock family, he inspired generations of fans and musicians, and his heartfelt work will continue to bring joy for many years to come." Balsam also provided the voice, and inspired the name, for  Phil Fraggle in " New Trash Heap in Town ", made a cameo as a  street musician in " The Day the Music Died " and it's presumed that  Balsam the Minstrel  was named after him as well.  Balsam and Lee later wrote son...

Richard Belzer, best known as Law and Order 's Detective John Munch has died.  Belzer's early career was spent doing stand-up comedy and improv in the 1970s.  In 1993, he  originated the role of  John Munch  on Homicide: Life on the Street and continued the character for 1 4 years on  Law & Order SVU .  Munch was also seen six other series including The X-Files , 30 Rock , and  Arrested Development. Belzer made a cameo appearance in 1998's Elmopalooza which alluded to his role as Munch  and presented the Word of the Day "lazy" from his SVU desk during  Sesame Street' s 38th season. The character was also part of the Sesame Street " Special Letters Unit" spoof.  But he first appeared on  Sesame Street in a   film insert with Brian Doyle-Murray  as two men in a boat. You can read more about Richard Belzer's life here .  Richard Belzer was 78.

Sad news to report as Raquel Welch has died. Welch famously appeared in the 3rd season of The Muppet Show in what is easily one of the most memorial episodes of the series. She played up her images as a Hollywood sex symbol, as she danced with an oversized spider:     Flirted with Fozzie:   And sang about women's empowerment with Miss Piggy:   The Muppet Show wasn't the first time Rachel first worked with the Muppets though as she appeared in a "Land of Gorch" sketch on the April 24, 1976 episode of SNL:   Welch also appeared on the cover of the  November 28, 1978 issue of  US magazine with Kermit  and made a brief appearance in The Muppets Go Hollywood .  Welch is best known for her roles in the films “One Million Years B.C.” and “Fantastic Voyage." You can read more about her life and career here .  Welch died after a “brief illness” at  82.

Sad news to report as co-founder of Sesame Workshop Lloyd N. Morrisett, PhD has died. Sesame Street posted the following tribute on social media: 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. An experimental psychologist by training, Lloyd was a Vice President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York when he posed the question that would revolutionize children’s media: Could television be used to educate? In 1968, with fellow visionary Joan Ganz Cooney, he created Sesame Workshop, where the answer was proven to be a resounding “yes.” As a wise, thoughtful, and above all kind leader, Lloyd was a profound and invaluable guide for 30 years as Chairman of Sesame Workshop’s Board of Trustees, then Trustee and Chairman Emeritus and, finally, a Lifetime Honorary Trustee. He was fascinated by the power of technology and constantly thinking about new ways...

Journalist and television personality Barbara Walters has died. Walters was known for her hard-hitting questions and in-depth reporting on a wide variety of topics. She appeared in two Sesame Street specials, the  Sesame Street, Special (1988), where she represented a news correspondent as a " person in your neighborhood " with Bob  as well as inn the celebrity version of " Put Down the Duckie ."):   And  Stars and Street Forever! (1994), where Walters reported from her 20/20 set on Sesame Street with Sully . in 2005, Walters hosted the Sesame Workshop Benefit Gala .  Walters was also known for her talk show The View, where Kermit and Miss Piggy made frequent appearances. You can read more about her life  here .  Barbara Walters was 93. 

Very sad news to report as Bob McGrath, known to fans around the world as "Bob" on Sesame Street has died. Bob was one of the original "people in our neighborhood" having been with the show from it's premier to 2019. Before "coming to play" on Sesame Street, McGrath performed record producer/singer Mitch Miller' chorus eventually becoming a featured soloist. During this time the troupe were invited to perform in Las Vegas and Japan. While on tour in Japan Bob developed a sizable teenage following, where he was known as Bobu Magurasu and had eight hit albums and more than 30 hit singles. After three years sellout crowds he was given the opportunity to move to Japan. However, he decided to stay in the US and be close with his family. Not soon after Bob heard about a little children's show called Sesame Street and the rest is history. Since join the show he appeared in countless Sesame productions including  the feature films  Follow That Bir...

Loretta Lynn one of the most important and celebrated country singers has died. Lynn guest starred during  The Muppet Show 's third season in the only episode to take place  at a train station instead of the Muppet theater. Lynn rose to fame in the 1960's and in  1970  adapted her autobiographical hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter” into a best-selling biography, which was later made into an Oscar-winning film.  Coal Miner's Daughter."  Lynn wrote most of her hits, and was one the first female singer to make her name as a songwriter in Nashville.  She sang "Count on Me" with the Count on Sesame Street in the early 80's  which was released on the 1981 album   Sesame Country and appeared again on the show in 1985 performing " Songs Are For Singin ." Lynn was was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988 and  was a guest  The Tonight Show in 1989   when Jim Henson and Kermit appeared to promote  The Jim Henson Hour....

Artis Ivey, Jr., better known as Coolio has died.  The hip-hop artist, had a string of hits in the mid-1990s such as "Fantastic Voyage" and "Gangsta's Paradise." He guest-starred in episode 205 of Muppets Tonight along with Don Rickles although the two didn't knot have any scenes together where he performed his hit song "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" with the Muppets for the finale. According to Muppet Wiki , Kermit and Miss Piggy were among the many fictitious characters mentioned in his song "Ghetto Cartoon."  Coolio was 59. 

Queen Elizabeth II,  England's longest serving monarch, has died. (Photoshopped image from 2011's The Muppets ) Elizabeth II was the United Kingdom's Queen since 1952. Her Majesty took a more ceremonial role then her predecessors.  At the conclusion of the 1977 Royal Variety Performance performance, she personally congratulated  Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard, Hunt, and Dave Goelz.  You can watch a brief clip below: Kermit and Queen Elizabeth II met again i n 2002  during the  Golden Jubilee celebrating her fiftieth year on the throne. You can read more about Queen Elizabeth II's life here .  Queen Elizabeth II was 96.

Former CNN newscaster  Bernard Shaw has died.  Shaw worked at CNN from  1980 until he retired in 2001.  He appeared on  Larry King Live on   April 1, 1994  in a  pre-recorded segment with Gonzo and later made a cameo as himself in the "Coolio and Don Rickles" episode of Muppets Tonight .  You can read more about Shaw's life here .  Bernard Shaw was 82.