Elmo puppeteer resigns amid sex allegations

Kevin Clash, the longtime Elmo puppeteer, resigned from "Sesame Street" on Nov. 20, 2012, amid allegations that he had a relationship with a 16-year-old boy. Clash denied the allegations, which were first made in June 2012 by the accuser, who is now 23 years old. Sesame Workshop called the controversy surrounding Clash's personal life "a distraction that none of us want," which led to his decision to leave the show.

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Puppeteer Kevin Clash speaks during the 'Independent Lens - Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey' panel during the PBS portion of the 2011 Summer TCA Tour held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 31, 2011 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Elmo and Kevin Clash speak to the press at the Quill Book Awards on Oct. 11, 2005, in New York City.

Actor/puppeteer Kevin Clash of 'Sesame Street' accepts the Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series during the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on Aug. 30, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Kevin Clash attends the 'Let's Rock Elmo' Toy Launch at the Empire Hotel on September 19, 2011 in New York City.

"Sesame Street" muppet Elmo and puppeteer Kevin Clash pose for a portrait in the Fender Music Lodge during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival to promote the film "Being Elmo" in Park City, Utah.

Actor/puppeteer Kevin Clash, winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series, poses in the press room at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on Aug. 30, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Kevin Clash speaks during the 'Independent Lens - Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey' panel during the PBS portion of the 2011 Summer TCA Tour held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 31, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.

Actor Kevin Clash arrives at the annual Daytime Emmy nominee party presented by SOAPnet held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on April 27, 2006, in Hollywood, Calif.

Puppeteer of Elmo, Kevin Clash, attends the 7th annual gala benefiting Sesame Workshop at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 27, 2009, in New York City.

Actors/Puppeteers Caroll Spinney (L) and Kevin Clash, with their respective personalities "Oscar the Grouch" and "Elmo", pose in the press room during the 34th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Hollywood & Highland Grand Ballroom on June 14, 2007, in Hollywood.

"Elmo" and actor/puppeteer Kevin Clash arrive to the 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on June 15, 2007, in Hollywood.

Sesame Workshop founder Joan Ganz Cooney, Elmo and puppetier Kevin Clash attend the Third Annual Sesame Workshop Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on June 1, 2005, in New York City.

Kevin Clash speaks during the 'Independent Lens - Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey' panel during the PBS portion of the 2011 Summer TCA Tour held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 31, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.

Kevin Clash attends the 69th Annual George Foster Peabody Awards in New York.

(L-R) Fran Bill, musician Juanes, Carmen Osbahr and Kevin Clash attend the 2010 AFTRA AMEE Awards at The Grand Ballroom at The Plaza Hotel on Feb. 22, 2010, in New York City.

Actress Catherine Bach (2nd L) gets a kiss from Elmo/puppetier Kevin Clash (R) as singer Michael Bolton (L) looks on at the Toys R' Us Children Fund 18th Annual Benefit Dinner at the Marrriot Marquis on April 9, 2003, in New York City.

Hanna Probulska-Dzisiow (L) and Andrzej Maleska (2L) of Poland, who won for "The Magic Tree" in the Children and Young People category, stand with presenter Elmo (2R) and Kevin Clash (R) at the 35th Annual International Emmy Awards on Nov. 19, 2007, in New York.

Kevin Clash arrives at the 34th Kennedy Center Honors held at the Kennedy Center Hall of States on Dec. 4, 2011, in Washington, DC.

Director Constance Marks and puppeteer Kevin Clash with Elmo pose for a portrait during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival at The Samsung Galaxy Tab Lift on Jan. 25, 2011, in Park City, Utah.

(L-R) Directors Jim Martin, Nadine Zylstra, and Kevin Clash pose with their Emmy for "Outstanding Directing in a Children's Series" for "Sesame Street" in the press room during the 34th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Hollywood & Highland Grand Ballroom on June 14, 2007, in Hollywood, Calif.

Puppeteer Kevin Clash speaks during the 'Independent Lens - Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey' panel during the PBS portion of the 2011 Summer TCA Tour held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 31, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.