“We are saddened by the news of Emilio’s passing,” wrote agent Robert Attermann of A3 Artists Agency in a statement. “Emilio was an immense talent who brought so much joy and smiles to his fans. He will be missed by many and we know his legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, including his wife, Carole.” According to his Twitter feed, Delgado holds the record for having the longest-running role for a Mexican-American in a television series. Born in California, Delgado was raised in Mexicali, Mexico. When he was a teenager, he moved to Glendale, Calif. and became president of the Thespian Club. In 1968, after struggling to get acting jobs and serving in the California National Guard, he got his big professional break performing in summer stock with Martha Raye. After acting in the Mexican American soap opera, Cancion de la Raza, and playing a singer-guitarist on the series, Angie’s Garage, he was cast on Sesame Street. The show wanted to incorporate more Latino performers and have more Spanish language elements. “Maybe it would last a year, maybe two years. Maybe not even that long,” Delgado said of his early years on Sesame Street when he was interviewed on the show Up Close with Patsy Smullin. “But it was great. I had a job on television, on a major television show.” In addition to Sesame Street, Delgado also starred in Hawaii Five-O, Quincy M.E., Law & Order, Cupid, House of Cards, The Get Down and he had a recurring role in Lou Grant. He also continued to do theater, performing in a 2020 adaptation of Don Quixote, Quixote Nuevo. Delgado leaves behind a daughter, Lauren Delgado a son, Aram Delgado and his wife Carole. On October 15, 2019 to pay tribute to Hispanic heritage former Mayor Bill de Blasio declared “Emilio Delgado Day." The former mayor described Delgado as a very special person who gave generations of children the opportunity to see and hear someone who looked and spoke like them on television. “At a time when, if you saw diversity on television, it often was with stereotypes, and not the good kind of stereotypes. …He has been a role model for our children,” said the mayor. “For years and years [he was] a positive example to children looking for hope and inspiration in their lives. And in a country that for a long time didn’t see all its people, he was one of the people who helped change that.” Next, Why We Grieve Celebrities—and Why That’s Good for Our Health
