<P> Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr . ( January 1 , 1937 -- August 5 , 2002 ) was an American actor , writer and television producer . Robinson was the first actor to portray the character of Gordon Robinson on the long -- running PBS children 's TV program Sesame Street . When Sesame Street began in 1969 , not only did Robinson play Gordon , but he also provided the voice of the puppet Roosevelt Franklin and also was one of the show 's producers . He left the show in 1971 . In later years , when producers needed a last name for the Gordon character , then played by Hal Miller and then Roscoe Orman , they used Matt 's last name . </P>
<P> Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr . ( January 1 , 1937 -- August 5 , 2002 ) was an American actor , writer and television producer . Robinson was the first actor to portray the character of Gordon Robinson on the long -- running PBS children 's TV program Sesame Street . When Sesame Street began in 1969 , not only did Robinson play Gordon , but he also provided the voice of the puppet Roosevelt Franklin and also was one of the show 's producers . He left the show in 1971 . In later years , when producers needed a last name for the Gordon character , then played by Hal Miller and then Roscoe Orman , they used Matt 's last name . </P>
who played the first gordon on sesame street
who played the first gordon on sesame street
Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr .
Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr .