death_place death_date birth_place birth_date spouse article_title name death_cause
new york city , new york , united states 30 march 1997 new haven , connecticut , united states 13 april 1931 beverley -rrb- -lrb- 2 children -rrb- owen -lrb- 1964 - 1974 -rrb- -lrb- divorced jon stone
 jon stone amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
jon stone

jon stone -lrb- april 13 , 1931 -- march 30 , 1997 -rrb- was an original crew member on `` sesame street '' and best known for writing and producing the program , and is credited with helping develop characters such as cookie monster , oscar the grouch and big bird .
many regard him as one of the best children 's television writers .
