Jim Henson

Jim Henson (1936–1990) was a visionary American puppeteer, filmmaker, and creator of The Muppets, best known for bringing beloved characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the Sesame Street cast to life. He revolutionized puppetry using flexible foam, expressive, and personality-driven designs. He founded The Jim Henson Company and produced iconic, creative, and family-friendly television and film, including The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock.  He also voiced Ernie and Guy Smiley on Sesame Street as well as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, The Swedish Chef, Waldorf, The Newsman, and Mahna Mahna on The Muppet Show. His major directorial film credits include The Dark Crystal (1982), Labyrinth (1986), and The Great Muppet Caper (1981).  Jim Henson and his company, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, designed and created the sophisticated animatronic suits for all four Turtles and Splinter in the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.