John Tartaglia

John Tartaglia is an American actor, singer, and puppeteer, born on February 16, 1978, in Maple Shade Township, New Jersey. He graduated from Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1996. Tartaglia joined Sesame Street's puppetry team at the age of 16, becoming one of the youngest puppeteers in the show's history. He performed various minor characters and served as an understudy for Elmo. Tartaglia also portrayed Ernie in the second season of Play with Me Sesame and Oscar the Grouch in Sesame Street 4D. He officially became a full-time member of Sesame Street at the age of 18. Tartaglia is openly gay and emphasizes the importance of avoiding negative stereotypes in media portrayals.