Award-Winning Sesame Street Animator Jeff Hale Passes Away at 92

Jeff Hale, the award-winning animation director best known for his work with Sesame Street and the landmark Lenny Bruce animated short Thank You Mask Man, has passed away.

He was 92 years old when he died in February. ASIFA San Francisco president Karl Cohen confirmed his death to Cartoon Brew.

Hale created several series of shorts for Sesame Street during his years of employment there, including the "Pinball Number Count" series, some of which are still seen on the program. He also developed a number of recurring characters for the venerable series, including the Ringmaster, Typewriter and Detective Man.

Thank You Mask Man, like much of Lenny Bruce's work, was controversial in its time but has found respect and a cult following.

Hale helpd to establish Mill Valley Animation in San Francisco and worked on everything from Heavy Metal and Muppet Babies to The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show and Transformers.

Hale retired to Oregon in 1999. He is survived by his daughter Margot and son Nick.