He's a Sesame Street dad...

A WPT-exclusive interview with one of Sesame Street's most recognizable faces

Roscoe Orman has one of the most recognizable faces in children's television. For more than 30 years, Orman has played the role of Gordon Robinson on Sesame Street. Opposite a cast of muppet animals, monsters and children, he has played a lovable and respected father figure who via the television screen has had a hand in educating millions of American children. Looking back over a life as an actor, Orman has written a book, Sesame Street Dad: Evolution of an Actor that explores his experiences on one of television's most revered programs, his other extensive stage and screen work, and his own life as a father and grandfather. Orman takes some time to speak with Be more Tuned In in anticipation of two discussions and book signings in Madison. He will visit the east-side Borders Store at 7 p.m. Wednesday and the State Street University Bookstore at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

In 1975, Orman was a young actor who had worked extensively in the theater and had dabbled in the world of film when he was offered a chance to audition for the then five-year-old Sesame Street. A screen test opposite Oscar the Grouch led to him being given the role of Gordon and a steady guaranteed salary of $20,000 per year -- which was a blessing for a soon-to-be-father. Little did Orman know that this new role on a show he had never seen would make him a television celebrity.

"When I came along in the fifth season, none of us in the cast imagined that we'd still be going strong in 2006," Orman explains from his New Jersey home. "I know for a fact that when I got the role, I was just delighted to have a job for a year or two and the prospect of a steady paycheck." (Continued...)

"That was one of the unexpected delights of being on the show," he adds. "To become one of the most visible faces on television has been pretty amazing. And, it's not only the recognition of being an actor on a popular television show, but to be part of a recognizable character who has been embraced around the world as a symbol of friendship, a role model for kids and an advocate for child-related services and issues."

In the role of Gordon, Orman has helped millions of children learn to count, enhance their social skills and even cope with difficult issues like death and grieving. In the process, he was able to involve his own children in the show's production -- his three daughters played Sesame Street children and his son, Miles, played Gordon and wife Susan's son until he was eight years old. In his book he notes that even his own grandchildren refer to him as "Grandpa Superman" after his recurring appearances in full costume as "Trash Gordon" on the show.

But, as an actor, Orman has done much more than Sesame Street and it is those stories, too, that inspired him to write this book.

Family history

"The initial impetus was based on my own desire to pass on my story for my children to be able to appreciate the life I've led and the work I've done," he says. "It's something I've always kind of wished I had in regard to the lineage and stories of my own family and ancestors, which I know so little about. Beyond being Gordon on Sesame Street, I've had so many other opportunities in my life.

"As I started writing, I began to realize that some of my experiences, growing up in the Bronx and working in southern theater companies during the Civil Rights movement could be interesting to general readers."

The resulting tome is an intriguing chronicle of Orman's life as an actor, the many artists he has had the chance to work with -- both well known (like Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington) and not -- and of course the evolution and expansive popularity of Sesame Street.

Muppets can be people, too

With a theater background, where he worked with some of the most acclaimed actors of the 20th century, Orman says it took some time to get used to working opposite a Muppet when he made his move to television.

"It definitely took a little while to get comfortable with it," Orman says, laughing. "I learned best by watching the child actors we had on the show. It was amazing They would be in a situation where the puppeteer would be lying right under them, and most of the time, they were able to suspend their beliefs and completely ignore them.

"Yes, it was a bit odd to be interacting with an animated piece of fabric," he continues, "but it all just comes down to acting, because all acting is make-believe. And, it's a lot of fun to work with the Henson puppeteers, who are all such creative professionals."

With a production schedule that even in its busiest days in the 1980s allowed Orman and the cast nearly eight months per year to pursue outside appearances and performances, he has been able to continue his passion for the theater. With lighter production in recent years, Orman has been able to pursue more regional theater performances. In the book, he even outlines a 2002 run in the Madison Repertory Theater's production of Fences. He had appeared in a Broadway version of the play years earlier, but his Madison appearance allowed him to play a role that James Earl Jones had won a Tony for in 1987.

The power of public television

Reflecting on his three decades on Sesame Street, Orman says he is proud to have been closely involved in public television.

"Public television is such a beacon for programming of all sorts," he says. "Outside of the children's programming, the news and information programs and the performing arts series' can't be found anywhere else.

"PBS is a tremendous gift in this country. For 30 years, we've been there together growing in our roles. I think that too many people take it for granted. If we were to lose it, the loss to the people in the United States would be considerable."