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{{performer4|Garrett Saunders|[[Sesame Street Pilot Episodes|Original test pilots]]|Matt Robinson|[[Season 1]] - [[Season 3]]|Hal Miller|[[Season 4]] - [[Season 5]]|Roscoe Orman|[[Season 6]] - present}} |
{{performer4|Garrett Saunders|[[Sesame Street Pilot Episodes|Original test pilots]]|Matt Robinson|[[Season 1]] - [[Season 3]]|Hal Miller|[[Season 4]] - [[Season 5]]|Roscoe Orman|[[Season 6]] - present}} |
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| − | [[File:Gordon_Louie.JPG|thumb|300px|Roscoe Orman as Gordon, with [[Elmo]]'s dad [[Louie]].]] |
+ | [[File:Gordon_Louie.JPG|thumb|300px|Roscoe Orman as the present-day Gordon, with [[Elmo]]'s dad [[Louie]].]] |
| − | [[image:Gordon2.jpg|thumb|300px|Hal Miller as Gordon.]] |
+ | [[image:Gordon2.jpg|thumb|300px|Hal Miller as the second Gordon.]] |
| − | [[image:Gordon1.jpg|thumb|300px|Matt Robinson as Gordon.]] |
+ | [[image:Gordon1.jpg|thumb|300px|Matt Robinson as the original Gordon.]] |
[[File:Gordon sized.jpg|thumb|300px|(From left) Robinson, Miller, and Orman in their portrayals as Gordon.]] |
[[File:Gordon sized.jpg|thumb|300px|(From left) Robinson, Miller, and Orman in their portrayals as Gordon.]] |
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[[File:Gordonsclass.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Telly Monster]] visits Gordon's high school science class in a 1991 episode.]] |
[[File:Gordonsclass.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Telly Monster]] visits Gordon's high school science class in a 1991 episode.]] |
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| − | '''Gordon Robinson''' is one of the original residents of ''[[Sesame Street]]'' |
+ | '''Gordon Robinson''' is one of the original residents of ''[[Sesame Street]],'' having debuted in [[Episode 0001|the first episode]] along with his wife [[Susan]]. He makes his living as a teacher, and though he was originally a history teacher, as mentioned in the book ''[[All About Sesame Street]],'' Gordon later became a science teacher. |
| − | Gordon and Susan reside at [[123 Sesame Street]] and, in [[Season 17 (1985-1986)|1985]], the couple adopted a son, [[Miles]]. Gordon was conceived as a strong paternal character and a role model for African American children who lacked a positive father figure. But like many of the ''Sesame Street'' adults, however, Gordon has transcended across the board to appeal to children of all races. Though friendly and kind, Gordon is the most likely of the ''Sesame Street'' adults to offer firm admonishment when the situation requires. Gordon has also appeared in both ''Sesame Street'' films, ''[[Follow That Bird]]'' |
+ | Gordon and Susan reside at [[123 Sesame Street]] and, in [[Season 17 (1985-1986)|1985]], the couple adopted a son, [[Miles]]. Gordon was conceived as a strong paternal character and a role model for African American children who lacked a positive father figure. But like many of the ''Sesame Street'' adults, however, Gordon has transcended across the board to appeal to children of all races. Though friendly and kind, Gordon is the most likely of the ''Sesame Street'' adults to offer firm admonishment when the situation requires. Gordon has also appeared in both ''Sesame Street'' films, ''[[Follow That Bird|Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird!]],'' where he played a key role in rescuing [[Big Bird]], and ''[[The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland]].'' More recently, Gordon has developed a recurring alter-ego, "[[Trash Gordon]]," in bedtime stories told by [[Oscar the Grouch|Oscar]] to [[Slimey]]. |
==Casting history== |
==Casting history== |
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| − | Though the characterization of Gordon has remained consistent, the casting has not, with three different performers taking the role in the series proper. Roscoe Orman recalled the difficulties with passing on the role: "The kids who were on the show that first season would not accept me as Gordon. One day there's Hal [Miller] as Gordon and the next day there's this new guy who says he's Gordon... the kids, both on the show and at home... they just assume that we are that person we're playing." <ref>Lance, Steven. ''Written Out of Television: A TV Lover's Guide to Cast Changes, 1945-1994'' |
+ | Though the characterization of Gordon has remained consistent, the casting has not, with three different performers taking the role in the series proper. Roscoe Orman recalled the difficulties with passing on the role: "The kids who were on the show that first season would not accept me as Gordon. One day there's Hal [Miller] as Gordon and the next day there's this new guy who says he's Gordon... the kids, both on the show and at home... they just assume that we are that person we're playing." <ref>Lance, Steven. ''Written Out of Television: A TV Lover's Guide to Cast Changes, 1945-1994.'' Maryland: Madison Books, [[1996]].</ref> |
| − | Around 1991, Gordon's surname was revealed in a storyline that involved Gordon teaching in the classroom, and the students |
+ | Around 1991, Gordon's surname was revealed in a storyline that involved Gordon teaching in the classroom, and since the students could not address their teacher as "Gordon," Orman suggested "Mr. Robinson," in honor of the original Gordon, Matt Robinson. Gordon was named after photographer-filmmaker-composer Gordon Parks. <ref>''[[Street Gang]],'' page 168.</ref> |
| − | Actor [[Garrett Saunders]] played Gordon in the |
+ | Actor [[Garrett Saunders]] played Gordon in the [[Sesame Street Test Show 1|first test show]]. He was unidentified until a 2011 [[The Case of the Missing Gordon|online campaign]] launched by Sesame Workshop, seeking to identify the performer. |
==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
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| − | |||
*''[[Sesame Street]]'' |
*''[[Sesame Street]]'' |
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*''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]'' |
*''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]'' |
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*''[[Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]]'' |
*''[[Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]]'' |
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| − | *''[[Follow That Bird]]'' |
+ | *''[[Follow That Bird|Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird!]]'' |
*''[[Sesame Street, Special]]'' |
*''[[Sesame Street, Special]]'' |
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*''[[Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting]]'' |
*''[[Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting]]'' |
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| Line 36: | Line 35: | ||
==Book appearances== |
==Book appearances== |
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| − | |||
* ''[[Big Bird's Blunder Book]]'' (1971) |
* ''[[Big Bird's Blunder Book]]'' (1971) |
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| Line 51: | Line 49: | ||
==See also== |
==See also== |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[The Case of the Missing Gordon]] |
*[[The Case of the Missing Gordon]] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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| − | |||
*[http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/theshow/gordon The Case of the Missing Gordon] at [[Sesamestreet.org]] and on [http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150391326119549&set=a.314049424548.149622.169731464548&type=1 Facebook] |
*[http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/theshow/gordon The Case of the Missing Gordon] at [[Sesamestreet.org]] and on [http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150391326119549&set=a.314049424548.149622.169731464548&type=1 Facebook] |
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Revision as of 04:47, 5 May 2013
Template:Performer4
Roscoe Orman as the present-day Gordon, with Elmo's dad Louie.
Hal Miller as the second Gordon.
Matt Robinson as the original Gordon.
(From left) Robinson, Miller, and Orman in their portrayals as Gordon.
Telly Monster visits Gordon's high school science class in a 1991 episode.
Gordon Robinson is one of the original residents of Sesame Street, having debuted in the first episode along with his wife Susan. He makes his living as a teacher, and though he was originally a history teacher, as mentioned in the book All About Sesame Street, Gordon later became a science teacher.
Gordon and Susan reside at 123 Sesame Street and, in 1985, the couple adopted a son, Miles. Gordon was conceived as a strong paternal character and a role model for African American children who lacked a positive father figure. But like many of the Sesame Street adults, however, Gordon has transcended across the board to appeal to children of all races. Though friendly and kind, Gordon is the most likely of the Sesame Street adults to offer firm admonishment when the situation requires. Gordon has also appeared in both Sesame Street films, Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird!, where he played a key role in rescuing Big Bird, and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. More recently, Gordon has developed a recurring alter-ego, "Trash Gordon," in bedtime stories told by Oscar to Slimey.
Casting history
Though the characterization of Gordon has remained consistent, the casting has not, with three different performers taking the role in the series proper. Roscoe Orman recalled the difficulties with passing on the role: "The kids who were on the show that first season would not accept me as Gordon. One day there's Hal [Miller] as Gordon and the next day there's this new guy who says he's Gordon... the kids, both on the show and at home... they just assume that we are that person we're playing." [1]
Around 1991, Gordon's surname was revealed in a storyline that involved Gordon teaching in the classroom, and since the students could not address their teacher as "Gordon," Orman suggested "Mr. Robinson," in honor of the original Gordon, Matt Robinson. Gordon was named after photographer-filmmaker-composer Gordon Parks. [2]
Actor Garrett Saunders played Gordon in the first test show. He was unidentified until a 2011 online campaign launched by Sesame Workshop, seeking to identify the performer.
Filmography
- Sesame Street
- Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
- Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird!
- Sesame Street, Special
- Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting
- Big Bird's Favorite Party Games
- Sesame Street Visits the Hospital
- Sesame Street Visits the Fire House
- Elmo Saves Christmas
- Elmopalooza
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
- Elmo's World: Happy Holidays
- The Street We Live On
- What's the Name of That Song?
Book appearances
- Big Bird's Blunder Book (1971)
- The Sesame Street Block Party Coloring Book (1977)
- Gordon of Sesame Street Storybook
- The Sesame Street Library Volume 11
- I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper
- Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby
- It's Not Fair!
- Grover's Bad Dream
References
- ↑ Lance, Steven. Written Out of Television: A TV Lover's Guide to Cast Changes, 1945-1994. Maryland: Madison Books, 1996.
- ↑ Street Gang, page 168.