Actor David L. Smyrl (Mr. Handford) 1935-2016 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-24-2016, 08:24 PM

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David Langston Smyrl, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his role as Mr. Handford, the retired firefighter who ran Hooper’s Store on “Sesame Street,” has died.

He was 80 years old.

Smyrl’s wife, Cheryl, says he died Tuesday of lung cancer at Lankenau Medical Center outside Philadelphia.

Smyrl started his television career in New York in the 1970s on the show “Express Yourself.” His work on the sitcom “Benson” in the 1970s earned him a People’s Choice Award.

He also worked as a writer and actor on “The Cosby Show,” playing contractor Sam Lucas.

Smyrll also appeared on “Law & Order” and in the feature film, The Preacher’s Wife, according to his “Sesame Street” biography.

From 1990 to 1998, Smyrl played the smiling, singing store owner on “Sesame Street.” He succeeded Leonard Jackson, who played a grumpier Handford.

Smyrl had won the job by acting out a script where he had returned from fighting a fire, worn out, and talked of retiring and buying a little store, according to a 1997 story in the Record-Journal, a Connecticut newspaper.

“You get to act stupid,” Smyrl told the newspaper. “It’s fun! I get to do fun things like dance with Gloria Estefan.”

He enjoyed the role, because he loved children, Cheryl Smyrl said.

The Mr. Handford character took over the Hooper’s Store from the “Sesame Street” character David, who was written out when actor Northern Calloway left the show in 1989. Calloway died the following year.

Calloway’s David character in turn had taken over the store in 1982 from his longtime employer, Mr. Hooper – portrayed by original “Sesame Street” cast member Will Lee. A year after Lee died, “Sesame Street” won accolades for a poignant episode where the other adult characters told a distraught Big Bird that Lee’s Mr. Hooper character had died and would not be coming back.

The “Sesame Street” character Alan, played by Alan Muraoka, has run Hooper’s Store since 1998.

A funeral for Smyrl is scheduled for Monday.

Marvo301 · 03-25-2016, 06:30 PM

David L. Smyrl

03-24-2016, 08:24 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,375	Actor David L. Smyrl (Mr. Handford) 1935-2016 Link David Langston Smyrl, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his role as Mr. Handford, the retired firefighter who ran Hooper’s Store on “Sesame Street,” has died. He was 80 years old. Smyrl’s wife, Cheryl, says he died Tuesday of lung cancer at Lankenau Medical Center outside Philadelphia. Smyrl started his television career in New York in the 1970s on the show “Express Yourself.” His work on the sitcom “Benson” in the 1970s earned him a People’s Choice Award. He also worked as a writer and actor on “The Cosby Show,” playing contractor Sam Lucas. Smyrll also appeared on “Law & Order” and in the feature film, The Preacher’s Wife, according to his “Sesame Street” biography. From 1990 to 1998, Smyrl played the smiling, singing store owner on “Sesame Street.” He succeeded Leonard Jackson, who played a grumpier Handford. Smyrl had won the job by acting out a script where he had returned from fighting a fire, worn out, and talked of retiring and buying a little store, according to a 1997 story in the Record-Journal, a Connecticut newspaper. “You get to act stupid,” Smyrl told the newspaper. “It’s fun! I get to do fun things like dance with Gloria Estefan.” He enjoyed the role, because he loved children, Cheryl Smyrl said. The Mr. Handford character took over the Hooper’s Store from the “Sesame Street” character David, who was written out when actor Northern Calloway left the show in 1989. Calloway died the following year. Calloway’s David character in turn had taken over the store in 1982 from his longtime employer, Mr. Hooper – portrayed by original “Sesame Street” cast member Will Lee. A year after Lee died, “Sesame Street” won accolades for a poignant episode where the other adult characters told a distraught Big Bird that Lee’s Mr. Hooper character had died and would not be coming back. The “Sesame Street” character Alan, played by Alan Muraoka, has run Hooper’s Store since 1998. A funeral for Smyrl is scheduled for Monday.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

03-25-2016, 06:30 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	David L. Smyrl
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin