You’ve heard it in your sleep. That high-pitched, giggle-heavy falsetto that has basically defined childhood for forty years. Elmo is everywhere. But if you’ve sat down to watch Sesame Street recently, or caught a viral clip of the red monster on social media, you might have noticed something. He sounds... slightly different. Still Elmo, but with a new texture.
So, who does Elmo's voice these days?
The short answer is Ryan Dillon. He’s been the man behind the fur since 2013, taking over one of the most high-pressure jobs in show business. But the story of how he got there—and the legends who came before him—is actually kind of wild. It involves a disgruntled puppeteer throwing the puppet at a colleague and a high school kid who auditioned on a whim.
The Ryan Dillon Era (2013–Present)
Ryan Dillon is the current voice and principal puppeteer of Elmo. Honestly, his story is the ultimate "dream come true" trope. He didn’t just walk onto the set as a seasoned pro; he basically grew up on the street.
Dillon was only 17 when he first auditioned for Sesame Workshop. He was still in high school in Philadelphia. Imagine being a senior in high school and getting a call to go work with Big Bird. He started out as an ensemble player, helping with background characters and learning the "Muppet style" of puppetry, which is way harder than it looks. It’s not just moving a mouth; it’s about sightlines, monitor work, and vocal stamina.
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When he officially took over Elmo in 2013, the stakes were massive. Elmo isn’t just a character; he’s a global brand.
Dillon has since voiced Elmo through some of the character's biggest modern moments:
- The "Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo" on HBO Max.
- Viral Twitter (X) threads about mental health that literally went global.
- Thousands of "Elmo’s World" segments.
He’s even won a Daytime Emmy for his work. In 2026, he remains the definitive voice of the character, bringing a slightly more energetic, crisp tone to the 3-and-a-half-year-old monster.
The Man Who Made Elmo: Kevin Clash
You can't talk about who does Elmo's voice without talking about Kevin Clash. He is the reason Elmo became a superstar.
Before Clash took over in 1985, Elmo was just a "background monster." He didn’t have that iconic voice. In fact, he sounded like a caveman. He was gruff. He was boring. He was basically a failure.
The legend goes that another legendary puppeteer, Richard Hunt, was so frustrated with the puppet that he literally tossed it at Kevin Clash and said, "See what you can do with it."
Clash decided to try something different. He went high. He added the giggle. He decided Elmo should represent "unconditional love." That shift changed television history. Clash voiced Elmo during the "Tickle Me Elmo" craze of the 90s and through the character's rise to the very top of the Sesame Street hierarchy. He stayed in the role for 28 years until his resignation in 2012.
Wait, There Were Others?
Most people think it’s just been two guys, but Elmo actually had a bit of a "rough draft" phase in the early 80s.
- Brian Muehl (1980–1984): He gave Elmo a more whispery, soft-spoken vibe. This was when Elmo was still finding his footing as a recurring character.
- Richard Hunt (1984–1985): Hunt was a Muppet titan (he did Statler and Beaker!), but he just couldn't "find" Elmo. He tried a gruff, hoarse voice that didn't really fit the cute aesthetic.
It’s kind of crazy to think that if Richard Hunt hadn’t gotten annoyed and handed the puppet off, Elmo might have just ended up in a storage bin somewhere.
How Do They Do the Voice?
People often ask if there’s a voice changer or a "helium" effect used in post-production. Nope. It’s all talent.
Ryan Dillon, like Kevin Clash before him, uses a specific type of falsetto that comes from the front of the throat. It’s physically exhausting. If you try to do the Elmo voice for more than five minutes, your throat will probably start to itch. These performers have to do it for eight hours a day while holding a 5-pound puppet above their heads.
Why the Voice Matters So Much
Sesame Street is built on "curriculum-based" entertainment. Elmo is designed to be a surrogate for the toddler audience. He refers to himself in the third person ("Elmo wants a cookie!") because that’s how many toddlers actually speak before they master pronouns.
The voice has to be non-threatening. It has to be purely joyful. If the voice is off by even a little bit, kids notice. They are the toughest critics in the world.
Looking Forward: Elmo in 2026
As of early 2026, Ryan Dillon is still firmly in the "hot seat" (or the red fur). He has managed to bridge the gap between the classic Sesame Street era and the new digital age.
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If you're looking to follow the current "man behind the monster," you'll find him not just on PBS and Max, but also doing a lot of the directing for Sesame digital content. He's also active in the puppetry community, often appearing on podcasts or at workshops to talk about the craft.
The take-away? Elmo is in good hands. While Kevin Clash built the house, Ryan Dillon is the one keeping the lights on and making sure Elmo stays relevant for a whole new generation of kids who are more likely to watch him on an iPad than a CRT television.
If you're a fan of the craft, go watch the documentary Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. It gives you a deep look at the Kevin Clash era. Then, go find any recent interview with Ryan Dillon to see how he’s evolved the character for the 2020s. It’s a masterclass in how to respect a legacy while making it your own.