Kevin Clash Biography

One of the most prominent of all vocal contributors to Jim Henson's Muppets during the '80s, '90s, and 2000s, Kevin Clash grew up in a predominantly African-American Baltimore suburb, and projected an unusual degree of aptitude for both designing original puppets and performing with them, from a tender age. He kick-started his career with work on The Great Space Coaster and Captain Kangaroo, then commenced his longstanding association with Henson by voicing a myriad of characters on the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, and extended the working relationship into contributions to several of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films, Muppet Treasure Island, and a host of other Henson projects. Clash found his broadest appeal, however, by providing the voice for a single character: the beloved, impossibly cute Elmo -- both on Sesame Street and in the feature The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999). Clash won a myriad of Emmys for that portrayal. He relayed his life story in the 2006 autobiography My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

• 1. Kevin Clash: To this day, when a Make a Wish child or a sick child is there, the majority of the time, they'll ask for Elmo.
  From Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. Submitted by Carrie G (2 months ago)

• 1. Kevin Clash: They would say, 'Well, there's a child that has a wish of spending time with Elmo... Well, the wish is because she's a sick child - and this is her dying wish.'
  From Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. Submitted by Carrie G (2 months ago)

• 1. Elmo: Elmo wants his blanket back! NOW!!
  From The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Submitted by Anthony A (2 months ago)

• 1. Elmo: That's it!
  From The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Submitted by Anthony A (2 months ago)

• 1. Elmo: [Repeated line] Blanket!
  From The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Submitted by Anthony A (2 months ago)

• 1. Kevin Clash: I knew that Elmo should represent love.
  From Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. Submitted by Chris P (7 months ago)

• 1. Splinter: I too once had a family, Danny. Many years ago I lived in Japan: a pet of my master Yoshi, mimicking his movements from my cage and learning the mysterious art of Jinjitsu, for Yoshi was one of Japan's finest shadow warriors. His only rival was a man named Oroko Saki, and they competed in all things, but in nothing more fiercely than for the love of a woman, Thang Shin. Shin's love was only for my master and rather than see him fight Saki for her hand, she persuaded Yoshi to flee with me to America. But Saki vowed vengeance. I remember it well, as my master returned home to find his beloved Shin lying on the floor, and then he saw her killer. Saki wasted no words, and during the struggle, my cage was broken. I leapt to Saki's face, biting and clawing, but he threw me to the floor and took one swipe with his Katana, slicing my ear. Then he was gone, and I was alone.
  From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Submitted by Lea L (11 months ago)

• 1. Splinter: I am proud of you, my sons. Tonight you have learned the final and greatest truth of the Ninja: that ultimate mastering comes not from the body, but from the mind. Together, there is nothing your four minds cannot accomplish. Help each other, draw upon one another, and always remember the power that binds you. The same is what brought me here tonight, that which I gladly return with my final words: I love you all, my sons.
  From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Submitted by Lea L (11 months ago)

• 1. Splinter: All fathers care for their sons.
  From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Submitted by Lea L (11 months ago)

• 1. Splinter: You will listen now. My Master Yoshi's first rule was 'Possess the right thinking', only then can one recieve the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace. I have tried to channel your anger, Raphael, but more remains. Anger clouds the mind. Turned inward it is an unconquerable enemy. You are unique among your brothers, for you choose to face this enemy alone. But as you face it, do not forget them, and do not forget me. I am here, my son.
  From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Submitted by Lea L (11 months ago)

• 1. Splinter: Kids!
  From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Submitted by Lea L (11 months ago)