Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, sometimes credited as Leslie Carrara, is an American actress and puppeteer. She is best known as a Muppet performer on Sesame Street originating the character Abby Cadabby, for which she has received seven Emmy Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Puppeteer Performer at the 3rd Children's and Family Emmy Awards in 2025.
Career Carrara-Rudolph began performing with the Muppets in 1996 on the ABC series Muppets Tonight, on which she performed Spamela Hamderson and Darci. Since 1996, Carrara-Rudolph has been a performer on Sesame Street. She originated the role of Abby Cadabby in 2006 and has performed various additional characters. Since 2009, she has received five Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series.
In 2004, Carrara-Rudolph puppeteered Blue during the first season of the Nick Jr. series Blue's Room. From 2005 to 2008, Carrara-Rudolph performed Ginger in the Playhouse Disney series Johnny and the Sprites. She is one of the founding members of The Jim Henson Company improv group Puppet Up!.
In addition the puppetry, Carrara-Rudolph has provided voiceover for various animated series and video games. From 2010 to 2015, Carrara-Rudolph voiced Peg Puppy in the Nickelodeon animated series T.U.F.F. Puppy. From 2016 to 2018, she voiced Bubbles on Splash and Bubbles. In 2022, she reprised her role as Abby in the Sesame Street animated series Mecha Builders.
In 2023, Carrara-Rudolph performed Penny Waxman in the Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem.
Personal life Carrara-Rudolph is married to Paul Rudolph, a music composer for Sesame Street.
Filmography
Film YearProductionRoleNotes1999The Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandAdditional MuppetsPerformer2008Forgetting Sarah MarshallDracula BridePuppeteerAbby in WonderlandAbby CadabbyPerformer; direct-to-DVD film2011The MuppetsAdditional MuppetsPerformer
Television YearProductionRoleNotes1996–1998Muppets TonightSpamela Hamderson, Darci, Shirley, Dorothy Bovine, Belle the Bubble Mom, Additional MuppetsPerformer1996–presentSesame StreetAbby Cadabby, Lotta Chatter, Rosa, Sleeping Beauty, Virginia Virginia, Tango, Additional Muppets1997–1998The Wubbulous World of Dr. SeussLittle Cat A, Morton the Elephant Bird, Princess Tizz, Additional Muppets2000–2003Poochini's Yard Wendy WhiteVoice2003Animal JamEdi the ZebraPerformer2004All Grown Up!MyronVoice2004–2005Blue's RoomBluePuppeteer (season 1)2005–2008Johnny and the SpritesGingerPerformer2008–2009PanwapaKoko the Penguin, Sheep Kid #22008A Muppets Christmas: Letters to SantaAdditional MuppetsPerformer; television special2009–2011The Electric CompanyWerewolf, Bat, MummyVoice2010–2015T.U.F.F. Puppy Peg Puppy2015–2024Nature CatGracie the Toad, Sadie Dog, Rat, Additional voices2016–2018Splash and BubblesBubbles, Flo2020The Not-Too-Late Show with ElmoAbby CadabbyPerformer2021–presentDonkey HodieDodie Hodie2022–2023Mecha BuildersAbby CadabbyVoice2023The Muppets MayhemPenny WaxmanPerformer2026The Muppet ShowSupporting Muppet PerformerABC/Disney+ special
Video games YearProductionRoleNotes2004Ratchet & Clank: Up Your ArsenalSasha PhyronixVoice2005Ratchet: DeadlockedCommander Sasha, Tyrranhoid Bride, Slugha2011Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover!Abby Cadabby2012Sesame Street: Elmo's Musical MonsterpieceKinect Sesame Street TV2025Disney Villains Cursed CaféYzmaVoice; Grouped under "Featuring the Voice Talents Of"2026Disney Speedstorm
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Refs2009 Daytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Performer in a Children's SeriesSesame Street2011201220142015 2023 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Puppeteer Performer Sesame Street 20242025
References
External links Official Website