Linda (Sesame Street)

Linda, portrayed by Linda Bove, was a character on the children's program Sesame Street. Bove, who is deaf, appeared on Sesame Street with the National Theater of the Deaf, and made her debut on the show as a librarian named Linda in Episode 0326, which aired in January of 1972. Initially only appearing on a sporadic basis, she became a regular member of the Sesame Street cast in 1975, and continued to appear until 2003.

The character only communicated in sign language, but interacted positively with other members of the Sesame Street community as a normal citizen and resident of Sesame Street. The person who most often acted as her interpreter was Bob; eventually, he and Linda were portrayed as being in a romantic relationship. Linda made her living as a librarian, and as such she also had an assistant, named Micki (Micki Barnett). Micki would read the stories to the children, while Linda communicated them in American Sign Language.

Linda also appeared in numerous inserts and sketches, notably the famous silent sketches where Maria (Sonia Manzano) would play Charlie Chaplin and Linda would often play a supporting role, either as a pretty woman or as a second Chaplin if two were required for a particular sketch.