Elmo actor Kevin Clash quits Sesame Street amid sex scandal
Puppeteer who made red monster famous accused of trolling chatlines for boys
Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash resigned from Sesame Street on Tuesday amid allegations he sexually abused underage boys, ending a 28-year career in which he turned the furry red monster into one of the most beloved - and lucrative - characters on television.
"Personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work Sesame Street is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer," the 52-year-old said in a statement. "I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately."
The resignation came as Cecil Singleton, a 24-year-old college student, sued Clash for more than US$5 million, accusing the actor of engaging in sexual behaviour with him when he was 15.
It was the second such allegation in just over a week. On November 12, a man in his 20s said he had sex with Clash at age 16. However, a day later the young man said their relationship was adult and consensual.
Clash was a young puppeteer at Sesame Street in the mid-1980s when he was given a little-used puppet now known as Elmo. He turned the character into a star, creating his high-pitched voice and child-like personality.
Clash was also the show's senior Muppet coordinator and Muppet captain, winning 23 daytime Emmy awards and one prime-time Emmy.