Death of Will Lee

On December 7, 1982, actor Will Lee died from after losing his battle from pneumonia. He was 74. He was best known for playing the role of Mr. Hooper on the PBS/HBO show, mh:besttvshows:Sesame Street. After his death, Children's Television Workshop were thinking about recasting the character or having the character leave the show (such as retirement, moving away, etc.). But instead of that, they decided to pay a tribute that Mr. Hooper has died and adults told Big Bird that Mr. Hooper died has and explained that death is permanent and irreversible. The tribute episode of Sesame Street aired on November 24, 1983.

Video
https://youtu.be/37M5fcM-cSU The street scene where adults explains to Big Bird that Mr. Hooper has died.