'Sesame Street' Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash: 'I Am Resigning from Sesame Workshop with a Very Heavy Heart'

The man who gave Elmo life is no longer part of Sesame Street. In a statement released on Tuesday, Sesame Workshop announced that Kevin Clash had resigned.

Sesame Workshop’s mission is to harness the educational power of media to help all children the world over reach their highest potential. Kevin Clash has helped us achieve that mission for 28 years, and none of us, especially Kevin, want anything to divert our attention from our focus on serving as a leading educational organization. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Kevin’s personal life has become a distraction that none of us want, and he has concluded that he can no longer be effective in his job and has resigned from Sesame Street. This is a sad day for Sesame Street.

UPDATE: Clash has issued his own statement concerning his resignation:

“I am resigning from Sesame Workshop with a very heavy heart. I have loved every day of my 28 years working for this exceptional organization. Personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work Sesame Street is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer. I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately.”

Damn it. After Clash's accuser announced his intention to recant his recant yesterday, it was clear that the accuser was interested in getting money and fame. Other websites have revealed Clash's accuser's name, but I won't do that. That's what this guy wants, even if it means destroying Clash, a man who has done so much to make the lives of children around the world better.

While other puppeteers have filled in for Clash during his time away from Sesame Street, no announcement on who will officially replace him as Elmo's puppeteer has been made at this point.