James Maury Henson was an American puppeteer, animator, actor, and filmmaker who achieved worldwide notability as the creator of the Muppets. Henson was also well known for creating Fraggle Rock (1983–1987) and as the director of The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986).
Henson in 1979
Reproductions built in the Muppets Workshop of the Wilkins (left) and Wontkins (right) Muppets
Henson with Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear in 1979
Henson and producer George Lucas working on Labyrinth in 1986
The Muppets are an American ensemble cast of puppet characters known for an absurdist, burlesque, and self-referential style of variety-sketch comedy. Created by Jim Henson in 1955, they are the focus of a media franchise that encompasses television, film, music, and other media associated with the characters. Originally owned by the Jim Henson Company for nearly five decades, the franchise was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in 2004.
Jim Henson in 1989
Kermit the Frog is Henson's most famous Muppet creation
Main cast of Muppet performers in 2012: (from left to right) Peter Linz, Bill Barretta, Matt Vogel, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, David Rudman and Dave Goelz
Reproductions of the Wilkins and Wontkins Muppets originally created by Jim Henson in 1957; these early characters feature the basic design features that would become typical of Muppet characters
