Jim Henson

Jim Henson

Directing
Born 1936-09-24 - Died 1990-05-16Greenville, Mississippi, USA

Biography

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.

Movies (146)

Labyrinth
7.3

Labyrinth

1986Movie7.3
The Muppets
6.7

The Muppets

2011Movie6.7
The Dark Crystal
7.2

The Dark Crystal

1982Movie7.2
The Muppet Movie
7.2

The Muppet Movie

1979Movie7.2
The Muppets Take Manhattan
6.6

The Muppets Take Manhattan

1984Movie6.6
Muppets Most Wanted
6.3

Muppets Most Wanted

2014Movie6.3
Jim Henson Idea Man
7.8

Jim Henson Idea Man

2024Movie7.8
Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration
7.0

Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration

1993Movie7.0
The Great Muppet Caper
6.9

The Great Muppet Caper

1981Movie6.9
Into the Night
6.5

Into the Night

1985Movie6.5
The Muppets at Walt Disney World
6.6

The Muppets at Walt Disney World

1990Movie6.6
Night of 100 Stars II
6.8

Night of 100 Stars II

1985Movie6.8
Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
7.0

Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!

1994Movie7.0
Dog City
8.1

Dog City

1989Movie8.1
The Royal Variety Performance 1977

The Royal Variety Performance 1977

1977Movie
A Muppet Family Christmas
6.9

A Muppet Family Christmas

1987Movie6.9
The World of Jim Henson
7.4

The World of Jim Henson

1994Movie7.4
Follow That Bird
6.4

Follow That Bird

1985Movie6.4
Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting
5.5

Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting

2019Movie5.5
The Muppets Go Hollywood
6.2

The Muppets Go Hollywood

1979Movie6.2
The Earth Day Special
6.1

The Earth Day Special

1990Movie6.1
The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show
8.2

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show

1982Movie8.2
The Christmas Toy
6.9

The Christmas Toy

1986Movie6.9
Alexander the Grape
6.0

Alexander the Grape

1965Movie6.0
Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music
9.0

Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music

1990Movie9.0
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
7.4

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

2021Movie7.4
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
7.5

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

1978Movie7.5
Sesame Street 1986 Wrap Party
9.0

Sesame Street 1986 Wrap Party

Movie9.0
Keep U.S. Beautiful

Keep U.S. Beautiful

1973Movie
Sesame Street Pitch Reel
9.0

Sesame Street Pitch Reel

1969Movie9.0
The Muppets Go to the Movies
7.0

The Muppets Go to the Movies

1981Movie7.0
Pure Goldie
8.0

Pure Goldie

1971Movie8.0
The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2
6.7

The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2

1999Movie6.7
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
6.8

The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson

1990Movie6.8
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
6.9

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

1977Movie6.9
Out to Lunch
8.0

Out to Lunch

1974Movie8.0
Sesame Street: Sing Along
6.0

Sesame Street: Sing Along

1987Movie6.0
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

1979Movie
The Cube
7.1

The Cube

1969Movie7.1
Sesame Street: 20 Years & Still Counting! 1969-1989
7.3

Sesame Street: 20 Years & Still Counting! 1969-1989

1989Movie7.3
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More!
8.0

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More!

2000Movie8.0
The World of 'The Dark Crystal'
6.7

The World of 'The Dark Crystal'

1983Movie6.7
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
6.1

The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years

1986Movie6.1
The Muppet Script

The Muppet Script

2025Movie
I Love Liberty

I Love Liberty

1982Movie
The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special
6.0

The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special

1977Movie6.0
John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
7.1

John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together

1979Movie7.1
Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly!
6.0

Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly!

1990Movie6.0
Time Piece
7.1

Time Piece

1965Movie7.1
The Muppet Introduction

The Muppet Introduction

1975Movie
Muppet Studios Presents: You're the Director

Muppet Studios Presents: You're the Director

1988Movie
Sesame Street: Elmo Says BOO!
6.4

Sesame Street: Elmo Says BOO!

1997Movie6.4
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol
6.7

A Sesame Street Christmas Carol

2006Movie6.7
Muppet Treasures
7.3

Muppet Treasures

1985Movie7.3
The Muppet Revue
10.0

The Muppet Revue

1985Movie10.0
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On!
7.6

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On!

2004Movie7.6
Mickey's 50
9.0

Mickey's 50

1978Movie9.0
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies
8.3

AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies

2004Movie8.3
Miss Piggy's Hollywood

Miss Piggy's Hollywood

1989Movie
Joan Rivers at the BBC

Joan Rivers at the BBC

2024Movie
Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets
6.7

Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets

1983Movie6.7
50 Years of Television: A Golden Celebration
9.0

50 Years of Television: A Golden Celebration

1989Movie9.0
Julie Andrews: One Step Into Spring
7.0

Julie Andrews: One Step Into Spring

1978Movie7.0
The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 3

The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 3

2001Movie
Sesame Street- Do you know where Ernie lives?

Sesame Street- Do you know where Ernie lives?

1975Movie
The Very Best of the Muppet Show
7.0

The Very Best of the Muppet Show

1999Movie7.0
Children's Songs and Stories with the Muppets
7.3

Children's Songs and Stories with the Muppets

1985Movie7.3
A Classic Christmas from The Ed Sullivan Show

A Classic Christmas from The Ed Sullivan Show

1992Movie
Hip Hip Parade!

Hip Hip Parade!

1978Movie
Inside the Labyrinth
7.6

Inside the Labyrinth

1986Movie7.6
Jim Henson's Tales from Muppetland

Jim Henson's Tales from Muppetland

2009Movie
Sesame Street: Monster Hits!
6.0

Sesame Street: Monster Hits!

1990Movie6.0
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
7.4

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

2015Movie7.4
The Reindeer

The Reindeer

1965Movie
The Tale of the Bunny Picnic
7.4

The Tale of the Bunny Picnic

1986Movie7.4
Sesame Street: Learning About Letters
7.0

Sesame Street: Learning About Letters

1986Movie7.0
Sesame Street: Imagine That!

Sesame Street: Imagine That!

1996Movie
Meal Break

Meal Break

1979Movie
Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi
8.8

Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi

1983Movie8.8
Orson Welles: The One-Man Band
6.7

Orson Welles: The One-Man Band

1995Movie6.7
Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
6.6

Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

1983Movie6.6
Jim Henson: Behind the Seams

Jim Henson: Behind the Seams

2014Movie
Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie
6.8

Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie

1988Movie6.8
Grump Critic

Grump Critic

1979Movie
Jim Henson: Sing-Along, Dance-Along, Do-Along

Jim Henson: Sing-Along, Dance-Along, Do-Along

1988Movie
Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets
9.0

Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets

1985Movie9.0
The Orson Welles Show
8.0

The Orson Welles Show

1979Movie8.0
The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street
9.0

The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street

1998Movie9.0
Muppet Picker Upper
6.0

Muppet Picker Upper

1975Movie6.0
Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets
6.9

Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets

1984Movie6.9
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
8.5

Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff

1985Movie8.5
Reflections of 'The Dark Crystal'
5.8

Reflections of 'The Dark Crystal'

2007Movie5.8
Free to Be... a Family
8.8

Free to Be... a Family

1988Movie8.8
The Vent Event

The Vent Event

1978Movie
Big Bird in China
6.0

Big Bird in China

1983Movie6.0
Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years: A Musical Celebration!
7.3

Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years: A Musical Celebration!

1993Movie7.3
Hey Cinderella!
7.4

Hey Cinderella!

1969Movie7.4
An Evening with Jim Henson and Frank Oz
10.0

An Evening with Jim Henson and Frank Oz

1989Movie10.0
Visual Thinking

Visual Thinking

1961Movie
Muppet Video: The Kermit and Piggy Story
6.8

Muppet Video: The Kermit and Piggy Story

1985Movie6.8
Kagayake! Gorō Mapetto Geba Geba 90-pun!

Kagayake! Gorō Mapetto Geba Geba 90-pun!

1976Movie
The Best of Ernie and Bert
7.0

The Best of Ernie and Bert

1988Movie7.0
The Muppet Musicians of Bremen
6.9

The Muppet Musicians of Bremen

1972Movie6.9
Limbo: The Organized Mind
8.5

Limbo: The Organized Mind

1966Movie8.5
Julie on Sesame Street
7.3

Julie on Sesame Street

1973Movie7.3
Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play
8.2

Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play

2002Movie8.2
Muppet Breakthrough

Muppet Breakthrough

1983Movie
Of Muppets & Men
6.6

Of Muppets & Men

1981Movie6.6
Sesame Street: Quiet Time
6.0

Sesame Street: Quiet Time

1997Movie6.0
Jim Henson: Commercials and Experiments

Jim Henson: Commercials and Experiments

2004Movie
Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet
6.0

Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet

1996Movie6.0
Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites

Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites

2004Movie
Julie: My Favourite Things

Julie: My Favourite Things

1975Movie
Sesame Street: Learning About Numbers
10.0

Sesame Street: Learning About Numbers

1986Movie10.0
Muppet Gimme a Break

Muppet Gimme a Break

1979Movie
The Muppets on Puppets
7.0

The Muppets on Puppets

1970Movie7.0
Hey, You're as Funny as Fozzie Bear
6.0

Hey, You're as Funny as Fozzie Bear

1988Movie6.0
Muppet Side Splitter

Muppet Side Splitter

1981Movie
Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince
7.0

Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince

1971Movie7.0
This Way to Sesame Street

This Way to Sesame Street

1969Movie
Tales of the Tinkerdee
6.5

Tales of the Tinkerdee

1962Movie6.5
Muppet Music Moments

Muppet Music Moments

2004Movie
The Paperwork Explosion
5.0

The Paperwork Explosion

1967Movie5.0
Getting Ready to Read

Getting Ready to Read

1992Movie
Down at Fraggle Rock

Down at Fraggle Rock

1987Movie
The Great Santa Claus Switch
6.1

The Great Santa Claus Switch

1970Movie6.1
Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories

Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories

1986Movie
Muppet History 101

Muppet History 101

2004Movie
Let's Have the Dam Break

Let's Have the Dam Break

1979Movie
Jim Henson: His Sesame Street Story
2.0

Jim Henson: His Sesame Street Story

2009Movie2.0
Muppets Magic from 'The Ed Sullivan Show!'
8.5

Muppets Magic from 'The Ed Sullivan Show!'

2003Movie8.5
Muppet Breaker Upper

Muppet Breaker Upper

1979Movie
I'm Nobody
8.0

I'm Nobody

1966Movie8.0
The Bells of Fraggle Rock
6.0

The Bells of Fraggle Rock

1984Movie6.0
In Their Own Words: Jim Henson
7.0

In Their Own Words: Jim Henson

2015Movie7.0
Wow, You're A Cartoonist!
10.0

Wow, You're A Cartoonist!

1988Movie10.0
Just a Few Announcements

Just a Few Announcements

1975Movie
The Wizard of Id

The Wizard of Id

1969Movie
Muppet Coffee Break

Muppet Coffee Break

1987Movie
Muppet Breakaway

Muppet Breakaway

1987Movie
Rowlf the Salesman

Rowlf the Salesman

1966Movie
The Muppet Show Pitch Reel
8.7

The Muppet Show Pitch Reel

1976Movie8.7
The King of Eight
10.0

The King of Eight

1971Movie10.0
Jim Henson: In Performance

Jim Henson: In Performance

1990Movie
Sam the Snake

Sam the Snake

1969Movie
The Idea Man

The Idea Man

1966Movie

TV Shows (23)

Sesame Street
7.1

Sesame Street

1969Series7.1
Saturday Night Live
6.9

Saturday Night Live

1975Series6.9
The Mike Douglas Show
5.8

The Mike Douglas Show

1961Series5.8
Great Performances
6.1

Great Performances

1971Series6.1
Wogan
5.3

Wogan

1982Series5.3
The Dick Cavett Show
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show

1968Series6.8
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
Fraggle Rock
7.3

Fraggle Rock

1983Series7.3
The Muppet Show
8.0

The Muppet Show

1976Series8.0
Reading Rainbow
8.4

Reading Rainbow

1983Series8.4
The Jim Henson Hour
9.0

The Jim Henson Hour

1989Series9.0
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
8.0

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

1948Series8.0
The Wonderful World of Disney
7.9

The Wonderful World of Disney

1954Series7.9
Wedden, dat..?
7.0

Wedden, dat..?

1986Series7.0
Einer wird gewinnen
7.0

Einer wird gewinnen

1964Series7.0
Sesame Street: Play with Me Sesame
5.5

Sesame Street: Play with Me Sesame

2002Series5.5
Dolly
10.0

Dolly

1987Series10.0
Sesame Unpaved

Sesame Unpaved

1999Series
NBC Experiment in Television

NBC Experiment in Television

1967Series
In Their Own Words

In Their Own Words

2015Series
Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten

Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten

1969Series
Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters
8.8

Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters

1985Series8.8
Sam and Friends
9.5

Sam and Friends

1955Series9.5