Joey Mazzarino

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.[2]

When Mazzarino auditioned for Sesame Street, he wrote a sketch called "Colambo" and soon found himself cast in the title role. Since then, he had been a prominent member of the Sesame Street cast where he performed Horatio the Elephant, Ingrid, Murray Monster, Papa Bear, Stinky the Stinkweed, and various characters until 2015, when he resigned.

Mazzarino spent the past few years as a writer/producer on the Showtime original series Kidding starring Jim Carrey. He directed all 13 episodes of the Julie Andrews’ Netflix series Julie’s Greenroom, 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 writing on a new PBS series from the Fred Rogers Company entitled Donkey Hodie and is about to begin his third season as a writer for the PBS animated series Nature Cat.

Mazzarino is married to actress Kerry Butler.[3] 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.[4]

• Bear in the Big Blue House – Writer ("The Yard Sale" episode)
• Cyberchase - Writer ("Invasion of the Funky Flower" episode)
• 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

• Writer's Guild of America Award
  • 2009 WGA Award for Elmo's Christmas Countdown[5]

• 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)
• Director's Guild of America Nominations
  • 2014 DGA Award Nominee for Directing for Children's Programs (Sesame Street, "4504 Numericon")[6]
  • 2015 DGA Award Nominee for Directing for Children's Programs (Sesame Street, "The Cookie Thief")[7]

• Joey Mazzarino at IMDb