David Smyrl, ‘Sesame Street’ actor, dead at 80

MANILA, Philippines – David Smyrl, who had won the hearts of many kids as shopowner Mr. Handford in Sesame Street, died at the age of 80.

According to the Associated Press, he had been suffering from lung cancer and died Tuesday at Lankenau Medical Center in the Philadelphia region, Pennsylvania, USA.

“He was funny,” his wife Cheryl Smyrl told the Associated Press, as quoted by ABC News. “I could say so many good things about him. He was loved by so many people. He was a mentor to a lot of children. He was a family man, loyal, true and faithful.”

As Mr. Handford, Smyrl ran Hooper’s Store from 1990 to 1998 on the long-running and popular children’s show, and often sang educational tunes.

Smyrl once described his role as “fun” to the Record-Journal, a Connecticut newspaper quoted by ABC News. “I get to do fun things like dance with Gloria Estefan,” he said.

Born in 1935 in Philadelphia, Smyrl started a television career with 1970s show Express Yourself. He later had a part on Benson, a sitcom where he earned a People’s Choice Award. He also wrote and acted for The Cosby Show.

He is survived by his wife and stepson, Pancho Scott. – Rappler.com