The face is instantly recognizable to millions of Sesame Street viewers who have grown up with Gordon, the on air personality who has offered comfort and friendly guidance to two generations of children. Roscoe Orman, who has portrayed this beloved character for thirty-two years, is now the author of Sesame Street Dad: Evolution of an Actor.
As important as his presence on this classic children’s television program are Mr. Orman’s ongoing contributions to theater during his forty-year professional career. His acting credentials are impressive and he, along with Ossie Davis, Morgan Freeman and untold numbers of other black actors helped define Black Theater as we now know it.
A strong element of Sesame Street Dad is Orman’s belief in honing the onstage and film personification of the black male, reestablishing the concepts of honor and integrity. His appearance on Sesame Street as a trustworthy friend to children places him at the forefront of this "movement," his image being emblematic for trust, honesty and friendship for millions of Americans.
The actor continues to appear on Sesame Street and because of its favorable filming schedule is able to continue his acting career at the same time. He remains very involved with the Black Theater scene and is currently appearing in a one-man play, The Confessions of Stepin Fetchit. He has appeared in countless other plays, films, and Sesame Street outreach programs all over the United States and has just completed a short feature film entitled, Twilight’s Last Gleaming.
Sesame Street Dad features a number of photographs that profile some of the highlights from Orman’s career, many from his early years on the stage. There are also photos with a wide variety of guests from Sesame Street that include Hillary Rodham Clinton, Denzel Washington, Gregory Hines, Lily Tomlin, B.B. King, Julianne Moore, Yolanda King, Gordon Parks — the list goes on.
As important as his presence on this classic children’s television program are Mr. Orman’s ongoing contributions to theater during his forty-year professional career. His acting credentials are impressive and he, along with Ossie Davis, Morgan Freeman and untold numbers of other black actors helped define Black Theater as we now know it.
A strong element of Sesame Street Dad is Orman’s belief in honing the onstage and film personification of the black male, reestablishing the concepts of honor and integrity. His appearance on Sesame Street as a trustworthy friend to children places him at the forefront of this "movement," his image being emblematic for trust, honesty and friendship for millions of Americans.
The actor continues to appear on Sesame Street and because of its favorable filming schedule is able to continue his acting career at the same time. He remains very involved with the Black Theater scene and is currently appearing in a one-man play, The Confessions of Stepin Fetchit. He has appeared in countless other plays, films, and Sesame Street outreach programs all over the United States and has just completed a short feature film entitled, Twilight’s Last Gleaming.
Sesame Street Dad features a number of photographs that profile some of the highlights from Orman’s career, many from his early years on the stage. There are also photos with a wide variety of guests from Sesame Street that include Hillary Rodham Clinton, Denzel Washington, Gregory Hines, Lily Tomlin, B.B. King, Julianne Moore, Yolanda King, Gordon Parks — the list goes on.
