Why Fernando Alves From The Undoing Looks So Familiar

If Ismael Cruz Córdova gives you strange flashbacks about puppets and singalong tunes, don't worry. You're probably just remembering the Puerto Rican actor's tenure as Mando on Sesame Street. 

Córdova became the newest neighbor on the titular street in 2013, and played Mando until 2015. Sure, he had already received attention from his role as Jimmy Patrick on CBS' The Good Wife, but hey — one can only truly say they've made it once they've spent some time hanging around with Elmo and Rosita. After all, there are few parts that are harder to win than ones on Sesame Street. In an interview with NPR's Tell Me More, Córdova revealed that hordes of people were after the role. 

"It was like American Idol but for Sesame Street," the actor said. "The amount of people that were there!" 

Córdova also noted that Sesame Street required some very particular acting sensibilities, because the actor has to be able to face everyone and everything with a totally open mind. "We were able to interact with the puppets," he elaborated on the casting process. "You know, they were seeing who would surrender to that and just enjoy it, and live in it, and just be able to interact with these puppets as equals, as well. That's the other thing: We embrace children as equals."