Fran Brill (born September 30, 1946 in Chester, Pennsylvania), is an American actor, voice actress and puppeteer, best known for her roles on "Sesame Street". She is a graduate of Boston University's Fine Art School.
Voice actress on Cartoon Network programs.
The Muppet "Zoe" was originally modeled after Fran herself. The producers of "Sesame Street" wanted to name the character "Franny," but - in a display of modesty, maybe? - she decided to change the name. Recalling J.D. Salinger's book "Franny and Zooey," she suggested "Zoe" as an alternate name, and it stuck.
Although she started out as a film actress, she has been a puppeteer for "Sesame Street" almost since its inception in 1969. Her best-known Muppet characters are "Zoe" and "Prairie Dawn," although, like the other puppeteers, she has many different characters and also plays "Anything Muppets" as well.
