Claim: Ryan Dillon, an American puppeteer who has played Elmo since 2013, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and came to the attention of Sesame Street producers when he went to an audition as a high school student.
Evidence: Ryan Dillon (born May 25, 1988) is an American puppeteer who has played Elmo since 2013 replacing Kevin Clash. (1988-05-25) May 25, 1988 (age 32)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. As a young puppeteer, Dillon came to the attention of Sesame Street producers when he went to an audition as a high school student.