Joey Mazzarino

Joseph Mazzarino (born June 4, 1968) is an American actor, puppeteer, writer, and director. He is best known for his work on Sesame Street, where he portrayed several memorable characters, including Murray Monster, Stinky the Stinkweed, Papa Bear, and Horatio the Elephant. Mazzarino also served as the head writer and director of Sesame Street, winning 22 Emmy Awards for his contributions. He was introduced to the world of puppeteering by former Muppet performer Camille Bonora, who taught an improvisation class at his university. Mazzarino's talent and creativity led him to work on other projects, such as The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Muppets from Space, and Kermit's Swamp Years. Although he resigned from Sesame Street in 2015 due to a format change, his contributions to the show continue to be cherished by fans and critics alike.