Henson, Jim, 1936-1990

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James Maury Henson, better known as Jim Henson, (b. September 24, 1936, Greenville, Mississippi–d. May 16, 1990, New York, New York), American puppeteer, artist, cartoonist, inventor, screenwriter, film director and producer who achieved international fame as the creator of the Muppets. He began developing puppets while attending high school, then while he was a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, he created Sam and Friends, a five-minute sketch-comedy puppet show that appeared on television. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in home economics, he produced coffee advertisements and developed some experimental films. Henson founded Muppets Inc. in 1958, which would later become the Jim Henson Company. Henson earned fame in the 1960s when he joined Sesame Street, where he helped develop the characters for the series. He won particular fame for his creation of Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, and Ernie. We was a winner of many awards including several Emmy Awards.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Arthur Unger collection of recorded interviews [sound recording] The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
referencedIn Austin Merrill Mecklem and Marianne Greer Appel papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Zero and Kate Mostel papers, 1915-1986 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Lothar and Eva Just Film Stills Collection Harvard Film Archive, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Jim Henson Collection, 1955-1998, 1955-1998 University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
referencedIn Ben Shaktman Papers, 1949-2009 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
creatorOf Kermit, the Frog person
associatedWith Mecklem, Austin Merrill, 1894-1951 person
associatedWith Mostel, Zero, 1915-1977 person
associatedWith Shaktman, Ben, 1937- person
associatedWith Unger, Arthur person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York City NY US
Greenville MS US
Subject
Occupation
Artists
Cartoonists
Film directors
Puppeteers
Screenwriters
Activity

Person

Birth 1936-09-24

Death 1990-05-16

Americans

English

Information

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