'Sesame Street' lyricist Hart dead at 68

NEW YORK, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Bruce Hart, whose "Sesame Street" lyrics are known to generations of TV viewers, has died of lung cancer in New York at age 68.

The lyricist who also provided the words for "Free to Be ... You and Me" and Cass Elliot's hit, "One Way Ticket," died Tuesday, the New York Times reported Friday.

In addition to providing the famous question, "Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street," Hart and his wife, Carole, were writers for the first season of the PBS children's show.

Hart went on to write the lyrics for Marlo Thomas' album and TV special, "Free to Be ... You and Me," which featured Mel Brooks, Harry Belafonte and Michael Jackson, among others.

The Harts were also key players in the 1979 TV musical "Sooner or Later," which sparked Rex Smith's hit, "You Take My Breath Away," and the TV show "Hot Hero Sandwich," the Times said.

Hart also wrote the 1988 telepic "Leap of Faith," starring Anne Archer and Sam Neill.

His survivors include his wife and a brother.