You probably know Daveed Diggs as the guy who rapped at 144 words per minute in Hamilton or the dude surviving a frozen wasteland in Snowpiercer. But if you have a toddler—or if you've ever fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole at 2 AM—you know him as a colorful, bumbling, rapping vegetable.
Sesame Street Daveed Diggs is a whole mood.
Honestly, it’s one of those rare celebrity-muppet crossovers that doesn't feel like a forced PR move. Most stars show up, explain the word "tenacious," and dip. Diggs? He basically moved into the neighborhood. He didn't just guest star; he became a recurring part of the fabric of Sesame Workshop, and he did it with a level of joy that’s actually kinda infectious.
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The Mr. Noodle Multi-Verse
Let's talk about the Noodle family. It’s one of the weirdest legacies in children’s television history. For years, Bill Irwin was the original Mr. Noodle, the silent, physical comedian who couldn't figure out how to put on a shoe or sit in a chair. When Sesame Street decided to reboot Elmo’s World for Season 47, they needed new blood.
They didn't just get a comedian. They got a Tony winner.
Diggs stepped in as one of Mr. Noodle’s brothers (confusingly also named Mr. Noodle). Watching a guy who plays Thomas Jefferson struggle to understand how a door works is genuinely top-tier physical comedy. He’s got this elastic face that works perfectly with Elmo’s high-pitched chaos. In the "Father’s Day" episode, he even pulled double duty playing the Noodles’ dad.
It’s a bit of a "if you know, you know" situation. You’re sitting there watching this guy fail to brush his hair, and then you remember he’s one of the most respected rappers in the experimental hip-hop scene. The range is actually insane.
The Vegetable Rap Battle You Didn’t Know You Needed
If there is one definitive "must-watch" moment of Sesame Street Daveed Diggs, it is the Food Rap Battle.
Basically, Elmo is hungry. Standard Elmo stuff. Enter DJ Lobster, who hosts a showdown between a Crunchy Carrot and a Sweet Potato. Diggs plays the carrot. His long-time creative partner Rafael Casal (his co-star/co-writer from Blindspotting) plays the sweet potato.
- The Vibe: Pure 90s hip-hop energy but about beta carotene.
- The Bars: Diggs drops lines like, "Elmo, add carrots to your daily routine / And get a healthy dose of beta carotene."
- The Hype Man: James Madison (not the president, but a head of broccoli) is in the back holding it down.
It’s a "Kitchen Cabinet Battle." Get it? Because of Hamilton? It’s a Dad joke, sure, but the flow is legit. They aren't "rapping for kids" in that cringey, off-beat way most shows do. They are actually rapping. It’s arguably the best educational song about root vegetables ever written.
Why the Rubber Duckie Cover Hits Different
In 2017, for National Rubber Duckie Day, a bunch of celebs did a montage of the classic Ernie song. We’re talking James Corden, Sia, Anthony Mackie—big names. But Diggs’ segment stands out because he doesn’t just sing it; he gives it this soulful, slightly R&B-inflected texture that makes you forget you're listening to a song about a bath toy.
He’s a self-proclaimed superfan. He’s told People magazine that he gets starstruck every time he’s on set. He even mentioned that between takes, he’d sit on the couch and just chat with Cookie Monster like they were two regular actors catching up. "You totally forget that they are animated," he said. That's the secret sauce. He treats the Muppets like peers, which makes the chemistry feel real.
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The Super Bowl Neighborhood Tour
By 2021, Diggs was basically the unofficial ambassador for the Street. During Super Bowl LV, he starred in a massive DoorDash commercial alongside Big Bird and Grover.
They did a remix of "The People in Your Neighborhood." It wasn't just a commercial; it was a fundraiser. DoorDash pledged a dollar for every order to Sesame Workshop’s social impact work. It’s weirdly wholesome to see a guy who started in experimental theater in Oakland leading a parade of Muppets down a digital New York street.
Most actors do a kids' show once to prove they’re "family-friendly." Diggs keeps coming back because he genuinely seems to love the craft of it. He’s done voice work for Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock as Jamdolin, and honestly, at this point, if they announced he was taking over as a permanent resident of Sesame Street, nobody would be surprised.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven't seen the Carrot vs. Sweet Potato rap battle, stop reading this and go find it on the official Sesame Street YouTube channel. It’s the peak of the Daveed Diggs Sesame Street era.
If you're a parent, these segments are your best friend. They are one of the few pieces of "toddler media" that won't make you want to pull your hair out after the 400th viewing. The production value on the music is high enough that you might actually catch yourself humming the carrot song in the grocery store.
Check out the "Elmo Comes Clean" episode or the "Father’s Day" special to see his full Mr. Noodle range. It's a masterclass in silent comedy from a guy usually known for his words.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Watch Party:
- Watch for the nuance: Diggs uses his background in physical theater to make Mr. Noodle feel distinct from the previous versions.
- Listen to the beat: The rap battles feature actual production value, not just generic stock music.
- Spot the cameos: Keep an eye out for Rafael Casal, who often appears alongside Diggs in these sketches, bringing their real-life chemistry to the Muppet world.