Count von Count: Fun Facts About the Sesame Street Vampire
What Is the Name of the Vampire on Sesame Street? Many people assume the vampire on Sesame Street is Count Dracula but that’s not quite right. The character’s name is Count von Count, though most fans simply call him “The Count.”
While he clearly looks like a classic vampire—with the cape, accent, and dramatic laugh—Sesame Street rarely refers to him as one in official descriptions. Instead, the Count is known for his love of numbers and his enthusiastic counting. Ah ah ah!
When we watch Sesame Street on TV, the Count has been Kevin’s favorite character for years. He’s even had the chance to meet the Count several times during Sesame Place character meet-and-greets. Oscar the Grouch is a close second, but the Count has always been number one in our house.
He has a Count doll that he just adores. We take it everywhere. He sleeps with it and he goes with him to school most days. His bedroom is all decorated with Sesame Street room decor.
The Count on Sesame Street
Recently we had a Count crisis. We were at my other son’s basketball game, and somehow, we left without the Count. Of course the game was on a weekend so I couldn’t reach anyone at the school until Monday.
When Monday came, all kinds of school personnel were looking for it. The teachers even pulled out all the bleachers in the gym and looked. No luck. Several people sent me Count von Count dolls, but it wasn’t exactly the same. You know how it is–for some kids, it has to be exact.
Thankfully a cousin was able to replace the doll. I saved the tag that was fastened to his hand, because it had the sku number on it. That sku number helped me order a whole case of new Count dolls. Yes, really. Because he does have other Count dolls, but he’s very particular about this one.
I couldn’t care less about what people think about my child carrying around a doll, it makes him happy and comforts him. But I have learned that there is a ton of misinformation about there about Count.
What is the name of the Vampire on Sesame Street?
Since we take Count with us everywhere, we hear lots of comments about him.
I have had dozens of people call him “Count Dracula.”
Gasp!
Even a few “Count Chocula” references. What is wrong with you people?
His name is Count von Count.
I thought I’d share some fun facts about our favorite counting vampire.
The Count-Sesame Street Character
If he’s not a vampire, what do we call him?
His name is Count von Count.
The Count is one of the most recognizable characters on Sesame Street. With his cape, formal speech, and booming laugh, he’s clearly inspired by classic vampire characters—but his real purpose on the show is much more wholesome. The Count teaches children about numbers, counting, and patterns in a way that is playful and memorable.
His love of numbers isn’t just a pun on his name. There’s actually an old folklore idea behind it. In European legends, vampires were said to have arithmomania—a compulsive need to count objects around them. Sesame Street writers borrowed that idea and turned it into a character who joyfully counts everything he sees.
Interestingly, Sesame Street itself has rarely called the Count a vampire. In official materials and on Sesame Workshop websites, he’s usually described simply as a Transylvanian count who loves counting. The cape, accent, and castle-like home are nods to vampire stories, but the show tends to keep the description playful rather than spooky.
In the early years of Sesame Street, the Count’s laugh—his famous “Ah ah ah!” after counting—was often followed by thunder and lightning. Some parents reported that the effect scared young viewers, so the lightning gag largely disappeared in the mid-1970s. The laugh itself remained and eventually became one of the character’s most recognizable traits.
Over the years, the Count has also had several girlfriends on the show. They were all referred to as “the Countess,” keeping with the character’s aristocratic theme.
The character was performed for more than four decades by puppeteer Jerry Nelson. Nelson portrayed the Count from the character’s debut in 1972 until shortly before his death in 2012. He was also known for performing several other beloved Sesame Street characters, including the Amazing Mumford.
Like many long-running Sesame Street characters, the Count has a few humorous family references in the show’s history. One of them is his uncle, Uncle Uno—a joke that fits perfectly with the character’s obsession with numbers.
There are also several hints throughout the series that the Count may be Romanian or from Transylvania. His accent, his castle-like home, and even the names of his cats all play into the old European vampire traditions that inspired the character.
Count von Count FAQs
Why is Count von Count a vampire?
The character is inspired by classic vampire stories, especially Dracula. His cape, accent, and castle-like home are all nods to those traditions. However, Sesame Street rarely calls him a vampire in official descriptions, instead focusing on his love of counting and numbers.
Who created Count von Count?
Count von Count was introduced on Sesame Street in 1972. The character was developed by Sesame Workshop writers and Jim Henson’s creative team as a fun way to teach children about numbers and counting.
Who voices Count von Count?
For most of the character’s history, the Count was performed by puppeteer Jerry Nelson. After Nelson’s death in 2012, other Sesame Street performers—including Matt Vogel—have continued bringing the character to life.
Why does the Count laugh after counting?
The Count’s famous “Ah ah ah!” laugh is part of the joke that accompanies his counting. In early episodes, it was often followed by thunder and lightning. Today, the laugh remains one of the character’s most recognizable features.
Is Count von Count related to Dracula?
The character is clearly inspired by Dracula and other vampire characters from classic movies and stories. However, within Sesame Street, the Count is simply a friendly aristocrat who loves numbers rather than a traditional vampire.
Why does the Count love counting?
Counting is the Count’s defining personality trait. The character was created specifically to help children learn numbers and basic math concepts in an entertaining way. By turning counting into a joke and a game, Sesame Street made math feel fun instead of intimidating.
What are some memorable Count von Count moments?
The Count has appeared in thousands of Sesame Street segments over the decades, often counting everyday objects or singing songs about numbers. Some of his most memorable appearances involve counting unusual things—from bats to cookies to lightning bolts—while celebrating every number he reaches.
From his dramatic cape to his unforgettable laugh, Count von Count has been helping children learn to love numbers for more than fifty years. And whether you think of him as a vampire, a Transylvanian aristocrat, or simply Sesame Street’s most enthusiastic mathematician, one thing is certain: if there are things to count, the Count will find them. Ah ah ah!
Sesame Street The Count: Dolls and Toys
Sometimes I feel like we have every Count von Count doll that there is. Then I go to a consignment sale or something and I find more. Ebay and Amazon are also great places to look. Or etsy. We have this shirt, too. Click image to see it.
Bonus Count Von Count tip:
We have not attended Sesame Street Live since 2018, and I did my review here: Sesame Street Live. The Count was not in that production and we were disappointed. I am told that he appears in current productions.
