'The Count' Puppeteer Jerry Nelson Dies at 78

People.com reports that puppeteer Jerry Nelson, the voice behind the beloved Sesame Street character 'The Count', has died at age 78. The news of his death from "unspecified causes" was released by CBC Radio-Canada.

In addition to giving voice to the counting vampire, Nelson was also the mastermind behind Gobo Fraggle on Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show's Sgt. Floyd Pepper of the Electric Mayhem band; "Pigs in Space" stalwart Dr. Julius Strangepork; Kermit the Frog's nephew Robin; and Gonzo's girlfriend Camilla the Chicken. 

The Tulsa native began his training with American puppeteer Bil Baird, who created the legendary "Lonely Goatherd" marionette scene in the 1965 film, The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews. He also worked with Muppet creator Jim Henson on TV's The Jimmy Dean Show, a variety program which first introduced Kermit and his friends to American audiences.  

Nelson began working on Sesame Street in the 1970s, and was the voice of The Count until his retirement in 2004.

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