Mr. Hooper

Mr. Harold Hooper was the elderly storekeeper on Sesame Street from 1969 until 1982.

One of the original human cast members, Mr. Hooper ran Hooper's Store, the corner candy store on Sesame Street. Originally described by CTW advisor Gerald S. Lesser as "slightly mean and abrasive but with a poorly hidden nice streak," Mr. Hooper mellowed over the years. He developed a particularly close relationship with Big Bird, who bought his birdseed milkshakes from him. Their friendship was occasionally frustrated by Big Bird's frequent inability to correctly say the shopkeeper's name, often calling him "Mr. Looper" or similar rhyming variations. Still, Mr. Hooper had an affection for Big Bird, even trusting him to open the store in Episode 0198.

The character never had a full name until an episode in which he received his GED certificate for attending night school. On the diploma, he became "Harold Hooper." In Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, it is revealed that Mr. Hooper is Jewish and celebrates Chanukah.

In Episode 1839, the adults on Sesame Street explained Mr. Hooper's death to Big Bird; this episode aired in 1983, several months after actor Will Lee's death.

Big Bird's Names for Mr. Hooper

 * Mr. Pooper (Episode 0158, Getting Ready for School)
 * Mr. Looper (Episode 1839)

Special Appearances

 * Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
 * A Special Sesame Street Christmas

Book Appearances

 * The Sesame Street Library Volume 3
 * The Sesame Street Library Volume 12
 * The Sesame Street Bedtime Storybook
 * Ernie's Little Lie
 * Fix It, Please
 * Frazzle's Fantastic Day
 * The Count Counts a Party
 * What Did You Bring?
 * Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
 * I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper (in flashback)
 * Bert and the Broken Teapot (in flashback)