Ismael Cruz Córdova

Ismael Cruz Córdova is a Puerto Rican actor whose character Mando appeared in seasons 44 and 45 of Sesame Street. He is occasionally credited as Ismael-Enrique Cruz Córdova. He was cast through an open call for Hispanic-Americans, which was chronicled through a series of videos released on the Sesame Street YouTube channel. In Episode 4404, Mando's first appearance, Córdova also voiced a Muppet rooster who runs a Cuba booth at the street's Latino festival.

Córdova had a recurring role on The Good Wife in 2011. He starred in the short Chaser (2013), and appeared in the thriller In the Blood (2014) with Danny Trejo. He is a member of Political Subversities, a live musical-sketch comedy show performing across New York City; he was included on their live comedy album. He earned strong reviews for a production of The Old Man and the Sea: "The play's successes are mostly owed to Ismael Cruz Cordova's (sic) achingly gorgeous portrayal of Manilo, whose love for his old mentor is evident in his every word and gesture." After his time on Sesame Street, Córdova went on to star in the action thriller Miss Bala (2019) with Gina Rodriguez.

Córdova is a BFA graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Experiment Theatre Wing. He has been trained in dance styles including Afro-Haitian dance, capoeira, plastiques, ballet, and hip hop. He is a native Spanish speaker, and has conversational French and basic American Sign Language training.