Loretta Long is an African American actress, singer, media personality and educator, best known for playing Susan Robinson on Sesame Street, having starred on the show since its debut in 1969. Born in Paw Paw, Michigan, she earned her Ph.D. in Urban Education in 1973 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, while she was starring on Sesame Street. She has acted in musicals and appeared on the Flip Wilson Show with other Sesame Street cast members during its first season. On Sesame Street, Long's character Susan, along with Bob and Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch, is one of only three remaining cast members who were on the first show and have been played by the same actors since the show began. She has performed a couple of puppet voices on the show, including Suzetta and Roosevelt Franklin's mother. Long, in addition to starring on Sesame Street, is a consultant and public speaker on issues of multiculturalism and education. [More at Wikipedia]

October 4th, 1938 in Paw Paw (Age 86)