Emmy-winning ‘Sesame Street’ composer Stephen J. Lawrence dies at 82

Stephen J. Lawrence wrote 'more than 300 beloved songs and scores' during his tenure with 'Sesame Street'. Photo: TNS

Stephen J. Lawrence, a musical talent whose credits included 1972's Free To Be... You And Me and a prolific run on Sesame Street, died on Dec 23 at Clara Maas Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey. He was 82 years old.

His death was confirmed to Variety by his wife Cantor Cathy Lawrence.