'Sesame Street' and 'The Cosby Show' actor David Smyrl dead at 80

David Smyrl, the actor who played Mr. Handford on Sesame Street passed away on March 22 after a battle with lung cancer. He was 80.

The news of the death was confirmed by his wife Cheryl Smyrl.

"He was funny," she told the Associated Press. "I could say so many good things about him. He was loved by so many people. He was a mentor to a lot of children. He was a family man, loyal, true and faithful."

Philly.com noted that Smyrl was born in North Philadelphia in 1935. He began working in television in the 1970s on a show called Express Yourself. He later became a writer for the TV series Benson. Before becoming an audience warm-up man, guest actor and gag writer for The Cosby Show. Smyrl was likely best known though for playing Mr. Handford, a retired firefighter who ran Hooper's Store on the Sesame Street program. He held the role from 1990 to 1998.

In addition to Cheryl, he is also survived by his stepson.

David Smyrl of Bala Cynwyd, who played Mr. Handford on “Sesame Street,” has died https://t.co/AMyKRCFYuY pic.twitter.com/AvZ6Drt1Ku

— Philly.com (@phillydotcom) March 24, 2016