Meet Kevin Clash, the puppeteer and the voice behind Elmo, one of the most popular characters on the seminal children’s television show Sesame Street. Clash is an Emmy-award-winning performer and producer with dozens of TV and film credits to his name. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the life of Kevin Clash, and the steps he took to become the furry red monster Elmo.

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Photo Credit: Seth Wenig/AP