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Muppeteer Jerry Nelson, with his most famous character Sesame Streets Count von Count. - Source: ONE News
One of the Muppet's longest serving performers, Jerry Nelson - who played over a thousand characters on Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show - has died after suffering from emphysema.
He was 78.
Nelson, an original Muppeteer, was hired by the late Jim Henson in the early sixties.
His most famous characters on the Muppet show were Kermit the Frog's nephew Robin and Bass Guitarist Floyd.
A statement from Sesame Workshop, the company that produces Sesame Street, paid tribute to Nelson, saying: "A member of the Sesame Street family for more than 40 years, he will forever be in our hearts and remembered for the artistry in his puppetry, his music, and the laughter he brought to children worldwide through his portrayal of Count von Count, Herry Monster, Mr Snuffleupagus, Fat Blue, Sherlock Hemlock, the Amazing Mumford and many other beloved characters.
Nelson played the lead character Gobo Fraggle in the eighties cult classic children's show Fraggle Rock as well as Marjory in the Trash Heap.
Lisa Henson, the chief executive of The Jim Henson Company, which created the Muppets on Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street and Muppet Show, wrote on the company's Facebook page.
"On behalf of the Henson family and everyone at The Jim Henson Company, our deepest sympathies go out to Jerry's family and to his many fans," she posted.
The Transylvanian-accented Count Von Count, who taught children how to count, was Nelson's most famous character.
He continued to voice the purple-colored Count until his death.
The 43rd season of Sesame Street, will feature Nelson's voice as
Count von Count in several episodes.
Watch the Count in action
here.