Directing
Jim Henson
EN, JA, XX cinema · 193 credits
Born
24 September 1936
Died
16 May 1990 (aged 53)
Birthplace
Greenville, Mississippi, USA
Also known as James Maury Henson
James Maury Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was an American puppeteer, actor, animator, creative producer, and director 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), as well as creating the puppets for Sesame Street (1969). Born in Greenville, Mississippi, and raised in both Leland, Mississippi, and University Park, Maryland, Henson began developing puppets in high school. He created Sam and Friends (1955–1961), a short-form comedy television program on WRC-TV, while he was a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, in collaboration with fellow student Jane Nebel. Henson and Nebel co-founded Muppets, Inc. – now The Jim Henson Company – in 1958, and married less than a year later in 1959. Henson graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in home economics. In 1969, Henson joined the children's television program Sesame Street (1969–present) where he helped to develop Muppet characters for the series. He and his creative team also appeared on the first season of the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (1975–present). He produced the sketch comedy television series The Muppet Show (1976–1981) during this period. Henson revolutionized the way puppetry is captured and presented in video media, and he won fame for his characters – particularly Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, and the characters on Sesame Street. During the later years of his life, he founded the Jim Henson Foundation and Jim Henson's Creature Shop. He won the Emmy Award twice for his involvement in The Storyteller (1987–1988) and The Jim Henson Hour (1989). Henson died in New York City from toxic shock syndrome caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. At the time of his death, he was in negotiations to sell his company to The Walt Disney Company, but talks fell through after his death. He was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991, and was named a Disney Legend in 2011. Description above from the Wikipedia article Jim Henson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known for
Filmography
Sesame Street 1986 Wrap Party
as Ernie / Himself
Untitled Labyrinth Sequel
Original Film Writer
The Muppet Script
as Self (archive footage), Original Concept
Joan Rivers at the BBC
as Self (archive footage)
Jim Henson Idea Man
as Self (archive footage)
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
as Self (archive footage)
Muppets Haunted Mansion
Characters
Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting
as Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Various Characters
In Their Own Words: Jim Henson
as Self (archive footage)
Muppets Most Wanted
as Kermit The Frog (archival recordings) (uncredited), Characters
The Muppets
as Kermit the Frog (archive voice) (uncredited), Characters
Jim Henson's Tales from Muppetland
2009
Jim Henson's Tales from Muppetland
Actor, Director
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol
as Ernie (voice) (archive footage)
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
Characters
Jim Henson: Commercials and Experiments
2004
Jim Henson: Commercials and Experiments
Actor, Director
Muppet History 101
2004
Muppet History 101
Actor, Director
Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites
as Guy Smiley (voice, archive footage)
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On!
as Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Mah Na Mah Na / Fat Blue / The Baker / King of 8 (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Muppets Magic from 'The Ed Sullivan Show!'
as Muppet Performer
Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play
as Kermit the Frog / Bip Bippadotta / Lavender Anything Muppet in Fat Cat (voice) (archive footage)
Kermit's Swamp Years
Characters
The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 3
as Kermit the Frog / Waldorf / Rowlf / Link Hogthrob, Producer, Writer
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More!
as Ernie (archive)
The Very Best of the Muppet Show
as Kermit the Frog / Waldorf / Rowlf / The Swedish Chef, Producer, Writer
The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2
as Kermit the Frog / Waldorf / Rowlf / The Swedish Chef, Producer, Writer, Creator
Muppets from Space
Characters
The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street
as Kermit the Frog (voice) (archive footage)
Sesame Street: Elmo Says BOO!
as Ernie / Harvey Monster (voice) (archive footage)
Sesame Street: Quiet Time
as Ernie ("Naptime") / Kermit the Frog (voice) (archive footage)
Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet
as Ernie (voice)
Sesame Street: Imagine That!
as Ernie (voice) (archive footage)
Muppet Treasure Island
Characters
The World of Jim Henson
as Self / Kermit the Frog / Rowlf (archive footage)
Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
as Kermit the Frog / Ernie (archive footage)
Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration
as Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Guy Smiley (archive footage) (voice)
A Classic Christmas from The Ed Sullivan Show
as Kermit the Frog (voice)
Getting Ready to Read
as Kermit / Ernie / Bip Bippadotta (voice)
The Muppet Christmas Carol
In Memory Of, Characters
The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Theseus & the Minotaur
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Perseus & the Gorgon
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Orpheus & Eurydice
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Daedalus & Icarus
Executive Producer
Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly!
as Ernie / Singer / Kermit the Frog (archive footage) (segment "One Banana") (voice)
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
as Self / Various Muppets (archive footage)
The Muppets at Walt Disney World
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Swedish Chef / Link Hogthrob (voice), Executive Producer, Characters
Sesame Street: Monster Hits!
as Harvey Monster (voice)
Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music
as Self / Kermit the Frog (voice)
The Earth Day Special
as Kermit the Frog (voice)
The Witches
Executive Producer
Basil Hears a Noise
In Memory Of
Living with Dinosaurs
Executive Producer
Dog City
as Self / Kermit the Frog / Rowlf the Dog / Bugsy Them (voice), Director
50 Years of Television: A Golden Celebration
as Kermit the Frog
Miss Piggy's Hollywood
as Waldorf
Sesame Street: 20 Years & Still Counting! 1969-1989
as Self – Kermit the Frog / Ernie, Executive Producer
Free to Be... a Family
as Kermit the Frog (voice)
Jim Henson: Sing-Along, Dance-Along, Do-Along
as Rowlf the Dog (voice), Executive Producer
Hey, You're as Funny as Fozzie Bear
as Kermit the Frog (voice), Executive Producer
Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie
as Kermit the Frog / Ernie (voice)
Muppet Studios Presents: You're the Director
1988
Muppet Studios Presents: You're the Director
as Kermit the Frog / Swedish Chef / Rowlf the Dog / Link Hogthrob (voice), Executive Producer
Wow, You're A Cartoonist!
as Kermit The Frog
The Best of Ernie and Bert
as Ernie, Director
The Storyteller: Fearnot
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: Hans My Hedgehog
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: A Story Short
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: The Luck Child
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: Sapsorrow
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: The True Bride
Executive Producer
The Storyteller: The Three Ravens
Executive Producer
A Muppet Family Christmas
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf the Dog / Dr. Teeth / Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Ernie / Self, Executive Producer, Characters
Down at Fraggle Rock
as Cantus the Minstrel / Convincing John / Self / Host
Muppet Breakaway
1987
Muppet Breakaway
as Leo (voice)
The Christmas Toy
as Kermit the Frog (voice), Producer, Characters
Sesame Street: Learning About Letters
as Ernie/Kermit the Frog/King Peter the Persnickety (voice)
Inside the Labyrinth
as Self, Writer
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
as Kermit the Frog / Ernie / Dr. Teeth / Rowlf / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman / The Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Mahna Mahna / Harry the Hipster / Self, Creator, Characters
The Tale of the Bunny Picnic
as Dog (voice), Director, Producer, Characters
Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories
as Ernie / The King (Bedtime Stories & Songs) (voice)
Labyrinth
as Goblins (uncredited), Director, Story
Sesame Street: Learning About Numbers
as Ernie / Kermit the Frog / King of 8 (voice) (uncredited)
Into the Night
as Man on Phone
Follow That Bird
as Kermit the Frog / Ernie (voice), Characters
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
as Kermit the Frog, Writer
Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets
1985
Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets
as Rowlf (voice)
Muppet Treasures
as Kermit The Frog / The Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Link Hogthrob / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / The Newsman, Writer
The Muppet Revue
as Kermit the Frog (voice)
Children's Songs and Stories with the Muppets
as Kermit the Frog (voice), Writer
Night of 100 Stars II
as Kermit the Frog
Muppet Video: The Kermit and Piggy Story
as Kermit the Frog (voice), Producer, Writer
Fraggle Rock: Scared Silly
Writer, Executive Producer
The Muppets Take Manhattan
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Swedish Chef / Ernie / Granny / Horse & Carriage Rider / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman (voice), Executive Producer, Characters
The Bells of Fraggle Rock
as Cantus the Minstrel (voice), Creator
Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf the Dog / Waldorf / Zeke (voice), Director, Producer, Characters
The World of 'The Dark Crystal'
as Self, Director
Big Bird in China
as Ernie (voice)
I Love Liberty
as Kermit the Frog (voice)
The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show
as Kermit The Frog (voice), Producer, Director, Characters
The Dark Crystal
as Jen / High Priest, Ritual Master, Producer, Director, Story
Of Muppets & Men
as Self
The Great Muppet Caper
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf the Dog / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Swedish Chef / The Muppet Newsman / Zeke / Man in Dubonnet Club, Director, Characters
The Muppets Go to the Movies
as Kermit / Rowlf / Link Hogthrob / Swedish Chef / Waldorf (voice), Writer, Producer, Characters
Muppet Side Splitter
as Leo (voice)
The Muppet Movie
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Doc Hopper's Men / Link Hogthrob / Swedish Chef (voice), Producer, Characters
The Muppets Go Hollywood
as Self / Kermit / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldof / Swedish Chef / Pig, Characters
John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Waldorf / Dr. Teeth / The Swedish Chef (voice), Characters
The Orson Welles Show
as Self / Kermit the Frog (voice)
Muppet Gimme a Break
1979
Muppet Gimme a Break
as Leo / Pasta in "Meal Break"
Meal Break
as Leo / Spaghetti
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
as Ernie / Kermit the Frog (archive footage) (uncredited)
Hip Hip Parade!
as Kermit the Frog
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
as Kermit the Frog / Ernie (voice), Executive Producer
Mickey's 50
as Kermit the Frog (voice)
Julie Andrews: One Step Into Spring
as Kermit The Frog / Rowlf the Dog / Dr. Teeth
The Vent Event
1978
The Vent Event
as Kermit the Frog
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
as Kermit the Frog / Harrison Fox / Harvey / Snake (voice), Director, Producer, Characters
The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special
1977
The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf
The Muppet Show Pitch Reel
1976
The Muppet Show Pitch Reel
as Leo / Kermit the Frog (voice)
Kagayake! Gorō Mapetto Geba Geba 90-pun!
as Kermit the Frog
Julie: My Favourite Things
as Kermit the Frog / Dr. Teeth
Muppet Picker Upper
as Kermit the Frog / Leo (voice), Director
Just a Few Announcements
as Kermit the Frog
The Muppet Introduction
as Kermit the Frog
Out to Lunch
as Kermit / Ernie / Guy Smiley / Person with Cue Card (voice)
Julie on Sesame Street
as Ernie/ Kermit the Frog (voice), Producer
The Muppet Musicians of Bremen
as Kermit the Frog / Mean Floyd / Rat (voice), Director, Characters, Producer
The King of Eight
as The King of Eight, Director
Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince
as Kermit / Garth / King Rupert (voice), Director, Characters
Pure Goldie
as Kermit the Frog (voice)
The Muppets on Puppets
as Self / Rowlf the Dog / Kermit the Frog / Various Characters, Characters
The Great Santa Claus Switch
as Fred / Lothar (voice), Characters, Executive Producer
Doll House
Director
Hey Cinderella!
as Kermit The Frog / King Goshposh / Rufus (voice), Director, Characters
The Wizard of Id
as The Wizard / The Spook (voice), Director
Sesame Street Pitch Reel
as Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Grump / Conrad Love / The Spook
This Way to Sesame Street
as Ernie/Kermit
Sam the Snake
as Sam the Snake, Director, Writer
The Cube
as Gorilla (voice), Director, Writer
Youth '68
1968
Youth '68
Writer, Producer
The Paperwork Explosion
Actor, Producer, Director
Ripples
Director
Wheels That Go
Director
Limbo: The Organized Mind
as Limbo (voice), Director, Animation Director
Rowlf the Salesman
as Rowlf the Dog, Director
The Idea Man
as Limbo, Director
Time Piece
as Man, Director, Writer, Producer, Animation
Alexander the Grape
as Freddy the Fierce (voice), Director, Storyboard Artist, Writer, Animation
The Reindeer
as Dasher / Prancer (voice), Director
Run, Run
Director of Photography, Producer, Director
Robot
Director
Tales of the Tinkerdee
as Kermit the Frog / King Goshposh / Charlie the Ogre (voice), Writer, Producer
Shearing Animation
Director
Drums West
Director
Cat and Mouse
Director