Happy Birthday Jim Henson 2020 Edition
Posted By Kathleen David on September 24, 2020
This would have been Jim Henson’s 84th birthday.
I was talking to some puppetry buddies and it was pointed out that there has been over a generation born after his passing, but his influence still exists.
This year marked 30 years since he passed which is hard to believe.
I started with the Muppets on Sesame Street. Then there was the Muppet Show which really changed my world in so many ways. The films he created showed me what was possible. There was no CGI in these but human beings creating the illusions of motion and life.
His ability of worldbuilding has truly been under rated. From the world of the Dark Crystal to the Labyrinth to Fraggle Rock to the Muppet Stage, he gave us whole worlds to enjoy and wonder at.
Yesterday was the 42nd anniversary of the opening of the Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA. Jim was there with Kermit and his family. There was also an exhibit of the Muppets which I still have my sweatshirt from.
It was an amazing day. I braved the crush of the crowd to get a couple of photos with my black and white camera. At one point when I was trying to get out of the crowd, Jim backed into me. He quickly turned around and I found myself face to face with Kermit who asked if I was OK. I managed to choke out a yes.
Over the years I have met and become friends with puppeteers who were part of Jim Henson’s cadres of the creative. They all speak of Jim with such love and respect. He worked hard and expect others to keep up with him.
And his legacy lives on.
His company is still producing amazing work. Disney is using the Muppets in new and interesting ways while still harking back to what works.
There are also all the people who build and perform with puppets that say their biggest influence was Jim Henson. I don’t think I would be building the things I can build if it were not for the Muppets.
So, let us celebrate the man and his legacy.
The toast is to the Puppeteer and Creative Powerhouse Jim Henson.
I am grateful for everything Jim worked on.
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