Kevin Clash Still Not Back As Elmo

His leave from Sesame Street will continue.

Puppeteer Kevin Clash with Elmo in 2011. Image by Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Kevin Clash, who in a 48-hour period was accused of having sex with a minor and then vindicated from that accusation, will not return to Sesame Street immediately. According to a source at Sesame Workshop, “Kevin has asked for some additional time to put this ordeal behind him, which we totally understand.”

Beyond being the puppeteer who made Elmo the star of the Sesame universe, not to mention the image on products as diverse as diapers and macaroni and cheese, Clash has a behind-the-scenes role on Sesame Street as a director and producer. He has won 21 Emmys.