Clash's autobiography, My Life as a Furry Red Monster, was published in 2006; he was later the subject of the documentary Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011). Elmo left a significant mark in modern pop culture and was a widely recognized and beloved character for decades.

After the height of Elmo's popularity, especially the " Tickle Me Elmo" craze in 1996, [30] Clash's responsibilities at Sesame Street increased. By the time he was a teenager, he had built almost 90 puppets, which he based upon commercials, popular music, and his friends. Months after the other alleged victims made legal accusations, Stephens filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania against Clash, [56] but it was ultimately dismissed in June 2014 because the statute of limitations had passed. Clash won Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series for his work as Elmo on Sesame Street in 1990, 2005–2007, and 2009–2013. Sesame Street is a beloved show of our childhood, and it is always nostalgic to think and talk about it, so without further redo, let us get into it.Clash has stated that although children ignore him and speak directly to Elmo, black adults tend to be surprised when they meet him. Some of his earliest characters included the saxophone-playing Hoots the Owl (based on Louis Armstrong), [23] the infant Baby Natasha, and inventor Dr. He has stated in interviews that his racial identity was pertinent to his work, and that it came through in his performances.

He performed in several productions with Jim Henson Productions, including as the Muppet Clifford in The Jim Henson Hour (1989), [note 1] and performing the puppetry for Frank Oz's characters ( Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, and Animal) in Muppet Treasure Island (1996). Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash accused of relationship with boy, 16, taking leave from 'Sesame Street' ".

She claims that there was an extra red puppet just lying around, and the production decided to give him a personality and create an entirely new character. While appearing at a neighborhood festival, Clash was discovered by Baltimore television personality Stu Kerr, who became Clash's first mentor and hired him to perform in the children's show Caboose at Channel 2. Fans that complained about Elmo’s status blamed him for the permanent departure of Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street. Clash acknowledged that he had been in a relationship with the accuser; however, he said the relationship was between two consenting adults.