33 Interesting Facts about Jim Henson

Dan May 5, 2023

Jim Henson was an American puppeteer, animator, and creator of the Muppets. He was born in Mississippi in 1936 and grew up in Maryland, where he developed an early interest in puppetry. He created his first puppets as a child and continued to experiment with the art form throughout his youth.

Henson’s career began in the 1950s when he created a puppet show called “Sam and Friends” for a local television station. The show was a hit and led to a series of other projects, including appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Jimmy Dean Show.”

In the 1960s, Henson created the beloved Muppets characters, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Big Bird. He went on to create numerous television shows and films featuring the Muppets, including “Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Show,” and “The Dark Crystal.”

Henson’s innovative work in puppetry and animation revolutionized the entertainment industry and inspired generations of artists and performers. He died in 1990 at the age of 53, but his legacy lives on through the continued popularity of the Muppets and the ongoing work of the Jim Henson Company, which he founded.

Do you want to know more about Jim Henson? Let’s take a look at these 33 interesting facts about Jim Henson.

1. Jim Henson was born on September 24, 1936, in Greenville, Mississippi.
2. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in Leland, Mississippi and Hyattsville, Maryland.
3. Henson created his first puppet, a frog named Kermit, in 1955.
4. He attended the University of Maryland, where he studied art and theater.
5. Henson’s first television show, “Sam and Friends,” aired on a local station in Washington, D.C. in 1955.
6. He created the Muppets characters in the 1960s, which would later become a household name.
7. Henson’s Muppets made their first appearance on national television on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1958.
8. Kermit the Frog made his debut on “Sesame Street” in 1969.
9. Henson created “The Muppet Show,” which premiered in 1976 and ran for five seasons.
10. He also directed several films, including “The Muppet Movie” and “Labyrinth.”
11. Henson was known for his innovative techniques in puppetry and animation.
12. He was a pioneer in the use of puppets in educational programming.
13. Henson won several Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award for his work.
14. Henson also created other puppet characters, including Fraggle Rock and the characters in “The Dark Crystal.”
15. Henson was a vegetarian and an advocate for animal welfare.
16. He was married twice and had five children.
17. Henson was known for his sense of humor and playful personality.
18. He was an accomplished musician and often wrote songs for his shows and films.
19. Henson was a skilled visual artist and created many of the designs for his puppet characters and sets.
20. Henson was a philanthropist and donated to numerous causes, including the Sesame Workshop and the American Film Institute.
21. He was a supporter of the arts and helped to establish the Jim Henson Foundation to support puppetry and other forms of the arts.
22. Henson was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987.
23. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
24. Henson was an inspiration to many artists and performers, including Frank Oz and Steve Whitmire.
25. The Jim Henson Company continues to produce television shows, films, and other media using Henson’s creations.
26. The Muppets have been featured in numerous films, including “The Muppets” and “Muppets Most Wanted.”
27. The Jim Henson Exhibition, a permanent exhibition celebrating Henson’s life and work, opened at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York in 2017.
28. Henson’s legacy continues to inspire and entertain people of all ages.
29. Henson was a skilled puppeteer and often performed his characters himself.
30. He was known for his ability to give his puppets a sense of personality and emotion.
31. Henson was an early adopter of computer graphics and used them in his later work.
32. Henson was a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and created several educational programs featuring diverse characters.
33. Henson’s creations have become a cultural phenomenon and are beloved by millions of fans around the world.

Jim Henson was a creative genius who revolutionized the art of puppetry and brought joy and laughter to millions of people around the world. His Muppets characters, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, have become icons of popular culture, and his influence can be seen in countless television shows, films, and other media. Henson’s innovative techniques in puppetry and animation paved the way for future generations of artists and performers. He was not only a talented artist and entertainer but also a compassionate philanthropist and advocate for important causes. Although he passed away at a young age, his legacy lives on through his beloved characters and the continued success of the Jim Henson Company. Jim Henson will always be remembered as a true visionary and a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.