William "Will" Lee

 William "Will" Lee (August 6, 1908 – December 7, 1982)

Lee was an actor and comedian who appeared in numerous television and film roles but was best known for playing Mr. Hooper, the original store proprietor of the eponymous Hoopers Store, he was one of the four original human characters on Sesame Street, from the show's debut in November 1969 until his death in 1982. Lee also began appearing in movies, including bit parts in Casbah, A Song Is Born, Little Fugitive, and Saboteur. He was blacklisted as an alleged communist and barred from movies and on TV for five years during the Red Scare, according to members of his family. He had been active in the Actor's Workshop and had been an unfriendly witness before the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings in 1950 investigating show business. At the end of that period, in 1956, he landed the role of Grandpa Hughes in As the World Turns; however, the role was recast with Santos Ortega on the show's second episode. He taught at the American Theatre Wing for nine years (including among his students James Earl Jones), as well as at the New School for Social Research, Boston University, and the Uta Hagen-Herbert Bergh of Studio. In addition, he conducted his own acting classes. Outside of Sesame Street, later roles included TV movies and a supporting role as the judge in the 1983 movie Daniel. Lee also worked in commercials, including a spot for Atari, as a grandfather learning to play Pac-Man from his granddaughter and spots for Ocean Spray juice. In 1969, he pursued the role of Mr. Hooper on the popular children's show Sesame Street. "He gave millions of children the message that the old and the young have a lot to say to each other," said Joan Ganz Cooney, president of the Children's Television Workshop. The New York Times reported that on Sesame Street, Lee's Mr. Hooper ranked ahead of all live cast members in recognition by young audiences, according to a survey. His bowtie and hornrimmed reading glasses became his trademark.

Lee died on December 7, 1982 at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan from a heart attack at the age of 74. His death left the producers of Sesame Street with questions about how to acknowledge the death of one of the series' most visible actors. After considering a number of options, including recasting the role, explaining his departure by saying he had moved out of state, or he could retire, CTW decided to have the character (Mr. Hooper) die and create an episode to teach their young audience about the difficult topic of death.