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Linda Bove

Various films and television shows include deaf characters, but a lower percentage of those roles are played by people who are actually deaf.

Ground was broken on that in the late 1960s when deaf theater actress Linda Bove was cast in the role of Linda the Librarian on "Sesame Street."

Bove is a Phoenix resident, and The Show spoke with her about her experience on the program and being a deaf performer.

Bove’s answers — expressed via sign language — were interpreted by Jess Yocom.

Also, Bove requested she be referred to as deaf rather than hearing-impaired, because she considers that a more appropriate term from the cultural perspective of the deaf community.

She started by talking about how she came to be a member of the "Sesame Street" cast.