Fran Brill

Fran Brill, born on September 30, 1946, is an accomplished American retired actress and puppeteer. She is best known for her beloved roles on Sesame Street, demonstrating her exceptional talents in bringing characters to life. Brill also showcased her acting range through her performances in a variety of films, such as Sally Hayes in the Hal Ashby film Being There (1979), Dana Mardukas in Midnight Run (1988), and Lily Marvin in What About Bob? (1991). Brill's acting journey began in Chester, Pennsylvania, and she proudly hails from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Boston University College of Fine Arts, Brill's passion for acting was ignited at age 15, when she performed in summer stock theater. Brill forged an impressive career in theater, making her Broadway debut as a student leader in Red, White, and Maddox (1969). She performed at many noteworthy regional theaters like the Roundabout Theatre, Manhattan Theater Club, Playwrights Horizons, the Long Wharf, Yale Repertory Theatre, and more. She also earned two nominations for Drama Desk Award. Furthermore, Brill starred in numerous popular television series including The Guiding Light, All My Children, The Edge of Night, Lip Service, and Kate and Allie. Despite no initial experience as a puppeteer, Brill joined Sesame Street where she garnered an Emmy Award for her work.