Loretta Mae Long (née Moore) (born October 4, 1938) is an African American actress, singer, media personality and educator, best known for playing Susan Robinson on Sesame Street, having starred on the show since its debut in 1969.Born in Paw Paw, Michigan, she earned her Ph.D. in Urban Education in 1973 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, while she was starring on Sesame Street.