Joseph Mazzarino (; born June 4, 1968) is an American puppeteer, actor, director and writer. He is best known for his roles on Sesame Street as Murray Monster, Stinky the Stinkweed, and other Muppets, and for being Head Writer and Director on Sesame Street, winning 22 Emmy Awards for his work.
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Career
Former Muppet performer Camille Bonora influenced Mazzarino when she taught an improvisation class at his university, and eventually introduced him to Jim Henson. Mazzarino later became the head writer for Sesame Street and also worked on The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Muppets from Space, and Kermit's Swamp Years.
When Mazzarino auditioned for Sesame Street, he wrote a sketch called "Colambo" and soon found himself cast in the title role. Afterwards, he became a prominent member of the Sesame Street cast, performing Horatio the Elephant, Ingrid, Murray Monster, Papa Bear, Stinky the Stinkweed, and various characters until 2015, when he resigned after completing work on season 46, following changes to the show's format.
Mazzarino spent the next few years as a writer/producer on the Showtime original series Kidding starring Jim Carrey. He directed all 13 episodes of the Netflix series Julie's Greenroom starring Julie Andrews, where he also served as a writer. Mazzarino spent over 20 years on Sesame Street in multiple roles: Head Writer, Director, Lyricist and Muppet performer. He received 25 Emmy Awards for his work in multiple categories (Outstanding Original Song, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series).
Mazzarino is currently a writer for the PBS puppet series Donkey Hodie and was also a writer for the animated series Nature Cat and Carl the Collector.
Personal life
Mazzarino is married to actress Kerry Butler. They have two adopted daughters, one named Segi for whom he wrote the Sesame Street song "I Love My Hair". The Muppet who sang the song was also named Segi.
Filmography
Film
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol – Joe Marley, Joey Dickens
CinderElmo – King Fred, Blue Mouse
123 Count with Me – Ingrid
Elmo Says BOO! – Joey Monkey, Sir Count-A-Lot
Elmo's Christmas Countdown – Papa Bear, Stan the Snowball
The Wild Wild West - Narf
Elmopalooza – Horatio the Elephant
Ghost Town – Food Delivery Guy
Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake – Additional Muppet Performer
Kermit's Swamp Years – Goggles the Toad, Turtle No. 1
Muppet Meeting Films – Gimley's Boss, Wesley, Franklin (2nd Time), Coffee Guy, Smerdley (2nd Time)
Billy Bunny's Animal Songs – Frog, Gopher
Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration! – Joey Monkey, Merry Monster
Sesame Street Celebrates Around the World – MNN Logo Purple Monster
Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration – Joey Monkey, Merry Monster
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland – Bug
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson – Additional Muppets
Demon Days Live - 2-D (Puppetry only, uncredited)
Television
30 Rock – puppeteer ("Apollo, Apollo")
Aliens in the Family – Spit (voice)
Big Bag – Chelli, Lyle the Sock
Blue's Clues – Boogie Woogie, Roary ("Blue's Room" segments)
Blue's Room – Boogie Woogie, Roary, Sprinkles (season 2)
CityKids – Captain (Inside the Head)
Dog City – Artie Springer
Donkey Hodie – Game Show Gator
Elmo's World – Big Foot, Brown Bunny (in "Elmo Has Two! Hands, Ears & Feet"), The Cheese, Papa Bear, Ingrid, Stinky the Stinkweed, Old McDonald, The Two Headed Monster (left-head)
Eureeka's Castle – Fluffy
Jack's Big Music Show – Spunky the Alien and Henry the Monster
Journey to Ernie – The Mighty Joke Tree, Sammy (squirrel), Artist Walrus, Penguin (voice), Kittens 2 and 3
Mo Willems: Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! — The Pigeon
Muppet Time – Icky No-No, Kirby, one of the Frog Scouts
Nick Jr. – Flexy ("Little Big Room" segments), Tube, Smelly ("Play Along" segments)
Nature Cat – Cruiser
Panwapa – Bill the Bug
The Planet Matzah Ball – Oogie
Crew work
Bear in the Big Blue House – Writer ("The Yard Sale")
Carl the Collector – Writer
Cyberchase - Writer ("Invasion of the Funky Flower")
Elmo's Christmas Countdown – Writer
Elmopalooza – Writer
Julie's Greenroom – Director/Writer/Co-Producer
Kermit's Swamp Years – Screenplay Co-Writer
Muppets from Space – Screenplay Co-Writer
Sesame Street – Writer/Director
Sheep in the Big City – Writer
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland – Screenplay Co-Writer
The Upside Down Show – Writer
Kidding – Writer
Awards and nominations
Writers Guild of America Award
2009 WGA Award for Elmo's Christmas Countdown
Daytime Emmy Award Nominations
2000 Daytime Emmy Award Nominee for Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series (Sesame Street)
2007 Daytime Emmy Award Nominee for Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series (Sesame Street)
2008 Daytime Emmy Award Nominee for Outstanding Directing in a Children's Series (Sesame Street)
Directors Guild of America Nominations
2014 DGA Award Nominee for Directing for Children's Programs (Sesame Street, "4504 Numericon")
2015 DGA Award Nominee for Directing for Children's Programs (Sesame Street, "The Cookie Thief")