Bob and his name

[Aleal]

Most of the kid characters also used their own names, naturally. From John-John and other early kids to more recent characters like Tarah or Carlo. And Buffy Sainte-Marie played Buffy. The use of names really seemed to vary depending on the extent to which the character was very much a version of the real life performer (Savion incorporating Glover's tap dancing, Bob and his music [McGrath had been a Mitch Miller singer], Linda's deafness and sign language skills, and Buffy was a Native American folksinger, who even had her real life son on the show). It was likely a decision made jointly between the performers and the CTW folks, and probably comfort level was a factor as well as concerns about kids confusing the fictional and the real. Gordon and Susan, for example, being married characters but not married in real life was likely a factor in their real names not being used, and "occupation" characters like Mr. Hooper, Willy, or Mr. Macintosh whose names were also used for their businesses likely were likely made distinct from their performers for similar reasons. On the other hand, to a great extent, Bob *is* Bob McGrath pretty much, just like Mr. Rogers and Fred Rogers were one and the same.

 

[Daffyfan4ever]

On the other hand, to a great extent, Bob *is* Bob McGrath pretty much, just like Mr. Rogers and Fred Rogers were one and the same.

Well, there are quite a few differences though. I mean the actor Bob McGrath is married and has five sons at least. On the show, Bob was involved with Linda. That's about the biggest difference between the actor and the character.

 

[Aleal]

Right, I said to a "great extent." There's some fictionalization, undoubtedly, but it wasn't a case of creating a "Bob" character and then just casting McGrath by coincidence. The shared name and personality and job similarities were intended.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Would Gaby count?