The Legacy Of Jim Henson: Creator Of The Muppets

Is there a person alive who doesn’t love the Muppets? From Oscar the Grouch, to Kermit, to Miss Piggy, to Fozzie Bear, to Big Bird, to Snuffleupagus, to The Count, to Waldorf and Statler – there’s a Muppet for every mood and personality. The Muppets are the brainchild of the legendary Jim Henson, whose creativity and innovation brought joy to millions. Henson began creating puppets while in high school and later attended the University of Maryland, where he took classes in puppet making and launched a short comedy show with puppets called Sam and Friends. He co-founded the Muppets in 1958 when he was just 22 years old. Tragically, he passed away suddenly in May 1990 at the age of 53, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

Henson was born on September 24, 1935, in University Park, Maryland, where he grew up with his parents and older brother Paul. Inspired by Edgar Bergen and his ventriloquist show on the radio, Henson's family got their first television in the late 1940s, an event he described as the biggest event of his adolescence. A fan of the television puppet show "Kukla, Fran, and Ollie," he found his passion for puppetry during high school when he created puppets for WTOP-TV's Saturday morning children's show "The Junior Morning Show." His journey continued at the University of Maryland, where a puppetry class changed his life, leading to the creation of the five-minute puppet show "Sam and Friends," which would later evolve into the Muppets.

As Henson worked for WRC-TV from 1954 to 1961, he revolutionized the art of puppetry for television. He developed ways for puppeteers to perform off-camera, allowing the puppets to have their own personalities. He pioneered the use of flexible foam rubber for puppet construction, which enabled a greater range of emotions compared to traditional wooden puppets. This innovation, combined with his precise mouth movements, made it seem as if the Muppets were truly speaking. Henson's early success with "Sam and Friends" led him to explore opportunities in commercials, children’s projects, and talk shows, eventually culminating in the creation of the Muppets as a form of entertainment for all ages.

The Rise of the Muppets

In 1969, Henson was approached by a producer from the Children’s Television Workshop to work full-time on "Sesame Street." This groundbreaking show premiered on November 10, 1969, featuring a vibrant cast of characters like Grover, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird, all of whom contributed to its massive success. "Sesame Street" continues to air today, captivating new generations with its unique blend of education and entertainment.

A few years later, Henson envisioned a show that featured the Muppets entertaining the whole family, but American networks initially turned him down. However, in 1976, a British producer agreed to finance "The Muppet Show," which was shot in the UK and syndicated worldwide. This show introduced beloved characters like Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo, becoming a cultural phenomenon and leading to three successful feature films: "The Muppet Movie," "The Great Muppet Caper," and "The Muppets Take Manhattan."

Henson's Lasting Impact

Beyond the Muppets, Henson's creative genius contributed to various projects, including the creation of Yoda for "The Empire Strikes Back," the cult classic "Labyrinth," and the innovative series "Fraggle Rock." Despite his untimely death from a bacterial infection in 1990, Henson's legacy lives on through his five children, who inherited The Jim Henson Company and the rights to the beloved characters he created.

In 2000, the Henson family sold the company to a German conglomerate, but they later repurchased it after the company's stock faltered. In 2004, they sold the rights to the Muppets to Disney for $200 million, ensuring that Henson's creations will continue to entertain audiences worldwide. Posthumously, Henson received the Disney Legends Award, highlighting his significant contributions to the world of entertainment. He often referred to Kermit as his alter ego, noting that Kermit could express thoughts that he held back himself.