Skip Hinnant, Electric Company Actor and Fritz Voice, Dies at 86
A familiar face on television
Hinnant portrayed wordsmith Fargo North, Decoder, along with other characters on The Electric Company. He was among the original performers when the PBS program began airing in 1971.
The series was a Sesame Street offshoot. Hinnant joined a cast that included Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby, Judy Graubart and Lee Chamberlin.
Early role on The Patty Duke Show
Hinnant began his career with a recurring role as Ted on ABC’s The Patty Duke Show. Ted was the boyfriend of Cathy, Patty’s identical twin sister. He appeared during the program’s first two seasons, from 1963 to 1965. The role came before his work on The Electric Company.
Stage work and Fritz the Cat
A few years later, Hinnant played Schroeder in the original off-Broadway cast of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, a musical by Clark Gesner. His older brother, Bill Hinnant, played Snoopy.
Hinnant also voiced Fritz the Cat, described as hedonistic, in two animated movies. His work ranged from stage performance and television acting to voice roles.
Key points
- Hinnant was 86 when he died.
- He was an original cast member of The Electric Company, which began airing in 1971.
- He played Ted on The Patty Duke Show from 1963 to 1965.
- He voiced Fritz the Cat in two animated movies.