Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011)

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey: Directed by Constance Marks, Philip Shane. With Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Barretta, Tau Bennett, Big Bird. The Muppet Elmo is one of the most beloved characters among children across the globe. Meet the unlikely man behind the puppet – the heart and soul of Elmo – Kevin Clash.

“I knew Kevin in High School (Dundalk Sr High) back in Baltimore County Maryland, although he probably doesnu0026#39;t remember me. We were in music class together and he was I think, 2 years ahead of me. Nobody in our school could say anything negative about Kevin. From day one, he was hard working and driven, but also the sweetest, kindest and funniest boy in class.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI remember a school concert once, the chorus was on stage sitting on the risers and Kevin was in front of us; but behind the piano with some of his own puppet creations. Kevin was putting on a short show for the audience when he accidentally hit his head (fairly hard) on the back of the piano. Teenagers, being what they are, started laughing and giggling behind Kevin, but the audience had no idea what had happened. We could tell Kevin was hurting, the gestures his body was making behind that piano emphasized his discomfort in a very comical way. Kevin continued on with his show without missing a beat, a puppet change or a line of dialogue. Even at that age, he was a professional.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eKevin played one of the leads in our schools production of u0026quot;Guys and Dollsu0026quot;, he was Skye Masterson. I think every girl in the High School fell at least a little in love with Kevin during that show. You may know Kevin as the voice of Elmo and other puppet characters, but when he sings, EVERYONE stops to listen! Iu0026#39;m proud to have known Kevin, even if it was just in passing. I enjoy telling people, u0026quot;I went to High School with Elmou0026quot; and watching their reactions as I proudly tell them about Kevin. Kevin Clashu0026#39;s life story is truly an inspiration. Though there might have been a few rough spots here and there, Kevin is proof that anyone, no matter what their circumstances, can make their dreams come true.”