Recently I checked out Being Elmo at the Boston Film Festival. My expectations were low for the childish tale of a cheesy red fluffball who talks in the 3rd “person” and has never reached the age of 4.
But to my surprise, it isn’t just a story about the fluffball, but about the man & voice inside the fluffball. Kevin Clash is a man with artistic talent, a pure heart, and a gift to make adults and children alike laugh and learn.
Kevin is a man born in Maryland who grew up watching Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street. His love for the craft and the characters drew Kevin to sew and create his own monsters at a young age. Despite the peer pressure and the ridicule, Kevin never faltered. He took chances, made famous friends (Jim Henson), ignored the ordinary and became amazing.
This started me thinking about where my ambitions were at the ripe old age of 14, and what a far cry they are from where I am today. Had I held true to my ambitions of being a fashion designer, who knows what would have happened. It makes me want to dream again. Imagine what life would have been like to have a dream at 14 and guess what, you made it come true. For Kevin Clash, that is exactly what happened.
3 Interesting Treats
There have been 9 Elmos.
Jim Henson’s Muppet-making secret? Use fleece: it doesn’t show seams.
Kevin’s first movie was Labyrinth. He played the creatures that swallow their eyes.
