The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Danny Seagren, the pioneering actor who first brought Spider-Man to life in a live-action format. He was 81 years old.
A Legacy in Tights and on Strings
Seagren's family announced his passing earlier this month in South Carolina via an online obituary. While the specific cause of death was not shared, the statement confirmed that a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Born in Minneapolis in 1943, Seagren's career was remarkably diverse. He was best known for his nearly 400-episode stint on the children's programme The Electric Company, where he repeatedly donned the iconic suit to play Spider-Man. The show also featured a young Morgan Freeman.
His portrayal was unique; his Spider-Man never spoke, instead communicating through on-screen thought bubbles to encourage young viewers to read. Reflecting on the role in a 2017 interview, Seagren said, "I never felt silly. I was focused on trying to be a superhero."
From Superhero to Superstar Puppeteer
Beyond his web-slinging adventures, Seagren was an immensely talented puppeteer. His memorial note described him as a "dancer, writer and producer" who worked directly with Jim Henson, the legendary creator of the Muppets.
His puppetry credits were extensive, including work on Captain Kangaroo and Who's Afraid Of Opera. He even stepped in for Caroll Spinney to perform as Big Bird on several episodes of Sesame Street. His skill earned him a Daytime Emmy award for his work on the show Miss Peach.
The Audition That Made History
The story of how he won the role of Spider-Man is the stuff of legend. Hearing about the audition, Seagren recalled thinking, "I've got to knock his socks off, somehow."
He devised an unforgettable entrance. When the producer entered the room, Seagren, already in the scarlet-red suit, was perched on a filing cabinet. "I jumped over his shoulder — but not quite over his head — and landed on the desk in the middle of the room," he recounted. The stunned producer's reaction was immediate: "Oh, my god... You got the job."
Seagren believed his casting was due to his ability to move, unlike the musclemen also considered for the part. "I had to be a little bit campy for the whole thing. I really enjoyed doing it," he said.
His popular segments on The Electric Company were later adapted into a Marvel comic book series called Spidey Super Stories. In his later years, he frequently attended Comic-Con events, delighting in meeting fans who had grown up watching his performance.
Danny Seagren is survived by his longtime companion, Kate Vereau, his brother Stephen, sister-in-law Jill, and nephew Sean.
