Emilio Delgado

In 1968 Emilio began working as a professional actor in the Emmy Award winning PBS series Cancion De La Raza (Song of The People) KCET-LA.

Emilio was a student at CalArts in their first theater class in 1970, under the direction of innovative director Herb Blau. California Institute of the Arts '71.

Emilio Delgado is an actor and singer, best known for his 44 years in the role of "Luis" on Sesame Street from 1971-2015 and has the unofficial distinction of having played the same role on U. S. television longer than any other Mexican American actor. He was born in Calexico, California and spent his early childhood living across the border in Mexicali, Mexico in a large extended family. He started working at an early age in Mexicali shining shoes and working in his uncle's bicycle repair shop. As a U. S. citizen, he crossed the border daily into the United States to attend elementary school in Calexico, California, where he first began performing in school plays and musicals. He graduated from Glendale High School in Los Angeles, where his interest and passion for theater and music increased. After graduation he received a scholarship to study acting in Hollywood with Russian actress Eugenie Leontovich. He continued his theater studies at Glendale College and CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) while also performing as a folk singer, guitarist and singing traditional Spanish boleros with Mexican trios.

In 1971, the producers of Sesame Street expanded their cast to include Latinos and cast Emilio as Luis. Landing the role of "Luis" was very meaningful to Emilio because it offered a positive portrayal of a Mexican American on television. He can claim the longest running part for a Mexican American actor in a continuing television series for his 44 years on Sesame Street.

In addition to Sesame Street, Emilio was cast by Joe Papp in 1972 to understudy Raul Julia in Two Gentlemen of Verona on Broadway.

Contrary to popular belief, 'Luis and Maria' were never married in real life. The characters Luis and Maria were married on Sesame Street in episode 2485 of Season 19, which aired May 13, 1988. The actors Emilio Delgado and Sonia Manzano are happily married to other people.

Awards he has received include, The Impact Award 2000 from the National Hispanic Media Coalition, The HOLA Ilka Award in 2005 and in 2009 he and the cast of Sesame Street were present to receive the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for Sesame Street's 40 years on the air.

Emilio starred in the lead role of Quixote Nuevo in four cities (CalShakes Berkeley, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Boston & The Alley Theatre in Houston 2018-2020), written by award winning playwright, Octavio Solis.

Quixote Nuevo is a contemporary adaptation of the Cervantes classic, first premiering in 2018 at California Shakespeare Theater in Berkeley. Other theater credits include Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, INTAR Theatre, Round House Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source and King Claudius in the Asolo Repertory Theatre production of Hamlet: Prince of Cuba. He appeared in several television classics and was a recurring cast member on the Lou Grant Show and appeared in Hawaii 5-0, Quincy, Police Story and co-starred in I Will Fight No More Forever. More recent television and film appearances include The Get Down, House of Cards, A Case of You, Law & Order, Criminal Intent, Law & Order: SVU, The Michael J. Fox Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and many other television and film appearances. In voice over work, you can hear his voice in The Bravest Knight, Red Dead Redemption II and Audible. Emilio has enjoyed the pleasure of being an occasional guest singer with the world popular band Pink Martini at venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl and made other guest appearances with the band in Portland, Seattle, and Montreal. He recorded 'Sing', a duet with China Forbes on the Pink Martini album Splendor in the Grass.

October 15, 2019 he was honored by New York's Mayor de Blasio proclaiming October 15, 2019 as 'Emilio Delgado Day' in New York City, taking place at Gracie Mansion in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.