There are no news articles yet, but my husband’s contact in the world of puppetry (no, really) says that Jerry Nelson, voice of Sesame Street’s The Count as well as numerous other characters on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock, died yesterday.
His Wikipedia page reports his death but doesn’t have “confirmation” either.
Don’t forget Floyd Pepper, as well as being the first main performer for Snuffy (though he only stayed on him until '78). And my favourite of his characters, Uncle Deadly.
He was a guest one year at a big party a friend of mine throws. She told me of his doing the Count voice, counting all the children at the party. Counted by the Count. RIP.
Thanks for the quick action. I had to tell my friend, and she was sad that she missed seeing him one last time, but I got the impression that this was not unexpected.