Benita Steinmann

Benita Steinmann was a German puppeteer and graphic artist who performed Uli von Bodefeld on Sesamstrasse from 1978-1988 when the character was retired. I don't know why the character Uli got retired after the performer left, but it was the producer's choice to remove Uli after licensing issues. Benita began her career as a graphic designer, and she soon transitioned to puppetry upon marrying puppeteer Peter Klaus Steinmann. After Steinmann left her job on Sesamstrasse, she went on to perform in 57 plays, though it's currently unknown what some of those 57 plays she did were. At least she got to perform with many other international Sesame Street performers. Performers such as Martina Klose, Kerstin Siebmann-Roders, Lothar Klose, and Peter Roders, just to name a few. Someday, someone will find plays Benita Steinmann did in her career and archive them so people can know all about this German puppeteer. Sadly, her life came to an end in December 1996, for she died of lung cancer that year. If only she hadn't died that year, then she would have been able to participate in anniversary celebrations of Sesamstrasse, unfortunately death is a part of life. Even though Benita is gone, and Uli von Bodefeld wasn't an official Muppet, she still had the chance to start a German co-production of Sesame Street. There would probably be no such show as Sesamstrasse without Steinmann to perform one of the original puppet characters. That's the bright side of something like that, remembering how much an impact someone makes in life before their death. No matter if a puppeteer is dead or alive, they are always a part of people's hearts based on the works they've done over the years around the world. Benita Steinmann, you've done wonderful as one of the first puppeteers on Sesamstrasse. You were also great in those 57 plays you've done, whatever they were. Farewell and watch Sesamstrasse from heaven so you can see how much it changed over time. RIP Benita. You lived a good life Steinmann!