Sesame Workshop Producer Arlene Sherman Passes Away

Longtime Sesame Workshop producer Arlene Sherman has died. Sherman spent more than 30 years with the organization, starting out as a Production Coordinator and moving up to Co-Executive Producer for SESAME STREET.

A graduate of New York University’s School of Film and Television, Sherman produced and directed a number of award-winning shorts in the U.S. and Europe before joining the production team of SESAME STREET in 1987. She served as coordinating producer from 1987 to 1994, and commissioned hundreds of the show’s live-action and animated films from a wide range of filmmakers and artists ranging from William Wegman, to animation innovators Will Vinton and Pixar.

As Co-Executive Producer of SESAME STREET, she spearheaded the highly successful “Elmo’s World” format using cutting edge digital puppetry and real time animation techniques.

Among the highlights on her SESAME STREET resume are a series of memorable Muppet trailers for Sony Theater Corporation, network specials SESAME STREET JAM and DON’T EAT THE PICTURES: SESAME STREET AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, as well as the home video releases ELMO’S WORLD WILD WILD WEST, HAPPY HEALTHY MONSTERS, and WHAT’S THE NAME OF THAT SONG. Her work with the show earned her 14 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award.

Sherman also curated the “All Roads Film Festival” for National Geographic and several animation and film programs for the Museum of Modern Art, New Victory Theatre NYC, Annecy Film Festival and Los Angeles Film Festival. She was also a regular visiting artist at the California Institute of the Arts and recruited and mentored students, helping place them with relevant organizations. Sherman was a member of the Directors Guild of America and was honored in Who’s Who In American Women.

Most recently, Sherman served as Executive Producer for BERT AND ERNIE'S GREAT ADVENTURES.