Jim Henson

1936 – 1990

James Maury Henson was an American puppeteer, animator, and producer who created the Muppets, the cast of characters that anchored Sesame Street from 1969, The Muppet Show from 1976, and a long string of feature films. His production company, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, also pioneered the animatronic effects that powered The Dark Crystal (1982), Labyrinth (1986), and decades of subsequent screen creature work. He died at age 53 in May 1990 from complications of streptococcal pneumonia he had not sought treatment for in time.

Last checked: May 10, 2026, 1:06 PM