Jim Henson

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James Maury Henson was an American puppeteer, animator, cartoonist, actor, inventor, filmmaker, and screenwriter who achieved worldwide notice as the creator of The Muppets (1955–present) and Fraggle Rock (1983–1987); and as the director of The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986). He was born in Greenville, Mississippi, and raised in Leland, Mississippi, and University Park, Maryland.

Birth Name

James Maury Henson

Born

Thursday, 24 September 1936

Died

Wednesday, 16 May 1990

Actor Filmography

Title

Character

Year

Jim Henson Idea Man

Self (archive footage)

2024

The Muppets Mayhem

Dr. Teeth

2023

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Self / Self (archive footage)

2021

Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Baker

2019

Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting

Ernie

2019

The Crystal Calls - Making the Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

High Priest (Ritual Master) (performer) / Jen (performer)

2019

A Year in Music

Self - as Kermit the Frog

2019

Hollywood Insider

Self

2018

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Ernie

2015

In Their Own Words

Self

2015

(see additional filmography)

Actor Filmography

Title

Character

Year

Jim Henson Idea Man

Self (archive footage)

2024

The Muppets Mayhem

Dr. Teeth

2023

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Self / Self (archive footage)

2021

Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Baker

2019

Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting

Ernie

2019

The Crystal Calls - Making the Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

High Priest (Ritual Master) (performer) / Jen (performer)

2019

A Year in Music

Self - as Kermit the Frog

2019

Hollywood Insider

Self

2018

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Ernie

2015

In Their Own Words

Self

2015

In Their Own Words: Jim Henson

Self (archive footage)

2015

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

Additional Muppets / Self

2014

Drums West

Self

2013

Sesame Street: Old School, Volume 3

Kermit the Frog

2012

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

Self

2011

Paul Williams Still Alive

Kermit the Frog (voice) (archive footage)

2011

Sesame Street: Silly Storytime

Kermit

2011

Sesame Street: Preschool is Cool, ABCs with Elmo

Kermit

2010

Arias with a Twist

Self

2010

Sesame Street: C is for Cookie Monster

Erine

2010

Pioneers of Television

Kermit the Frog from The Muppets / Self

2008

Cinemassacre's Monster Madness

Kermit the Frog

2007

Reflections of 'the Dark Crystal'

Himself / Self

2007

Nostalgia Critic

Wilkins

2007

Kids' Favorite Country Songs

Marshal McClean

2007

Elmo's World: What Makes You Happy?

Ernie

2007

A Sesame Street Christmas Carol

Ernie / Ernie (voice)

2006

20 to 1

Kermit the Frog / Waldorf / Mahna Mahna

2005

Sesame Street: A Celebration of Me, Grover

Kermit the Frog

2004

Sesame Street: Learning About Letters

Mr. Johnson / Ernie / Kermit the Frog / King Peter the Persnickety

2004

Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play

Kermit the Frog / Bip Bippadotta / Lavender Anything Muppet in Fat Cat (voice) (archive footage)

2002

Play with Me Sesame

Ernie / Additional Muppets / Kermit the Frog / Guy Smiley / Harvey / Vocalist

2002

I Love Muppets

Self

2002

Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs 2

Ernie

2001

Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More!

Ernie

2000

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland: Sing and Play

Ernie

1999

Sesame English

(archive footage) / Ernie / Guy Smiley

1999

The 70th Annual Academy Awards

Dr. Teeth

1998

Sesame Street: The Great Numbers Game

King of 8

1998

Sesame Street: Elmo Says BOO!

Ernie / Harvey Monster / Harvey Monster (voice) (archive footage)

1997

Sesame Street: 123 Count with Me

(voice) (archive footage)

1997

Sesame Street: Quiet Time

Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Ernie ("Naptime") / Kermit the Frog (voice) (archive footage)

1997

The 69th Annual Academy Awards

Kermit the Frog

1997

Sesame Street: Get Up and Dance

Various Muppets

1997

Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet

Ernie / Ernie (voice)

1996

Sesame Street: Imagine That!

Ernie / Ernie (voice) (archive footage)

1996

Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites

Guy Smiley

1995

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

Kermit the Frog / Ernie

1994

Sesame Street: The Best of Elmo

Ernie

1994

Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration

Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Guy Smiley

1993

Sesame Street: Sing, Hoot & Howl with the Sesame Street Animals

Ernie

1991

Sesame Street: Elmo's Sing-Along Guessing Game

Kermit the Frog / Ernie

1991

The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson

Himself, various voices (archival) / Self / Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Ernie / Guy Smiley / Link Hogthrob / Jim Henson Muppet / Mahna Mahna / Convincing John / Bugsy Them / Cantus / Muppet Newsman / Sam / Harry the Hipster / Wilkins / Wontkins

1990

Sesame Street: Rock & Roll

Various

1990

The Earth Day Special

Kermit the Frog (voice) (as The Muppets) / Kermit the Frog

1990

Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly!

Ernie / Singer (segment "One Banana") / Kermit the Frog

1990

Sesame Street: Monster Hits!

Harvey Monster / Harvey Monster (voice)

1990

From the Heart... The First International Very Special Arts Festival

Self

1989

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

Self / Kermit the Frog / Ernie

1989

The Pat Sajak Show

Self

1989

The Arsenio Hall Show

Himself

1989

Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie

Kermit the Frog / Ernie / Muppet Performer

1988

Count It Higher: Great Music Videos from Sesame Street

Kermit The Frog / Ernie / Guy Smiley

1988

A Muppet Family Christmas

Various Characters / Kermit the Frog / Rowlf the Dog / Dr. Teeth / Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Ernie / Guy Smiley / The Newsman / Self

1987

Dolly

Kermit the Frog

1987

MuppeTelevision

Self / Kermit the Frog / Waldorf / Rowlf the Dog / Link Hogthrob / Pegasus / Bugsy Them / The Newsman / Timrek the Gorf / Timecaster / Swedish Chef / Doglion / Self - Host

1987

Sesame Street: Sing Along

Ernie

1995

Ernest Goes to Camp

Miner

1987

Shalom Sesame

Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Guy Smiley / Tony

1987

Inside the Labyrinth

Himself / Self / Director

1986

The Christmas Toy

Kermit the Frog / Jack-in-the-Box

1986

Labyrinth

Goblins

1986

The Tale of the Bunny Picnic

Dog (voice) / Dog

1986

The 58th Annual Academy Awards

Kermit the Frog & Himself - Presenters / Waldorf

1986

The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years

Kermit the Frog / Ernie / Dr. Teeth / Rowlf / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman / The Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Mahna Mahna / Harry the Hipster / Self

1986

Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories

Ernie / The King (segment "The King's Problem") / The King (Bedtime Stories & Songs) (voice)

1986

Sesame Street: Learning About Numbers

Ernie / Kermit the Frog / King of 8

1986

Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters

Kermit the Frog

1985

Follow That Bird

Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Ernie (voice)

1985

Muppet Video: The Kermit and Piggy Story

Kermit the Frog / Kermit the Frog (voice)

1985

Night of 100 Stars II

Kermit the Frog

1985

Into the Night

Man on Phone

1985

Into the Night

Man on Phone

1985

Muppet Babies

Dr. Teeth / Kermit the Frog / Rowlf

1984

The Muppets Take Manhattan

The Newsman (voice) / Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Swedish Chef / Ernie / Granny / Horse & Carriage Rider / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman

1984

Henson's Place

Self - Performer / Kermit the Frog / Jim Henson (self)

1984

Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi

Himself / Self

1983

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

Ernie (voice) / Ernie

1983

Reading Rainbow

Kermit the Frog

1983

Happy Birthday, Bob!

Kermit the Frog

1983

Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets

Kermit the Frog / Waldorf / Rowlf / Zeke / Rowlf the Dog / Zeke (voice)

1983

Fraggle Rock

Cantus the Minstrel / Convincing John

1983

The World of 'The Dark Crystal'

Himself / Self - Producer / Director

1983

Big Bird in China

Ernie / Ernie (voice)

1983

The Dark Crystal

Jen, a Gelfling (performer) / High Priest, Ritual Master (performer) / Jen / High Priest, Ritual Master

1982

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show

1982

The 54th Annual Academy Awards

Self

1982

Na sowas!

Swedish Chef / Self

1982

I Love Liberty

(as The Muppets) / Kermit the Frog (voice)

1982

Of Muppets and Men: The Making of 'The Muppet Show'

Self / Kermit the Frog

1981

An American Werewolf in London

Kermit the Frog / Kermit the Frog (archive footage)

1981

The Great Muppet Caper

Man having Snapshot in Restaurant / Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Swedish Chef / Waldorf / The Muppet Newsman / Zeke / Rowlf the Dog

1981

The Muppets Go to the Movies

Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / The Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Link Hogthrob / Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Link Hogthrob, The Swedish Chef, Waldorf

1981

The Russell Harty Show

Self

1980

The 52nd Annual Academy Awards

Kermit the Frog

1980

John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together

Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Waldorf / Dr. Teeth / The Swedish Chef (voice) / The Swedish Chef

1979

The Muppet Movie

Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Swedish Chef / Link Hogthrob / Doc Hopper's Men / Swedish Chef (voice)

1979

The Muppets Go Hollywood

Various Muppets / Self / Kermit the Frog / Dr. Teeth / Pig / Rowlf / Swedish Chef / Waldorf

1979

Elmo's World

Ernie

1979

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

Kermit the Frog / Ernie / Ernie (voice)

1978

Mickey's 50

Kermit the Frog / Kermit the Frog (voice)

1978

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

Kermit the Frog / Harrison Fox / Harvey / Snake (voice) / Snake

1977

The Muppet Show

Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / The Swedish Chef / Waldorf / Link Hogthrob / Muppet Newsman / Dr. Teeth / Accordion Player / Kermit the Frog, Waldorf, Rowlf the Dog, Link Hogthrob, The Swedish Chef, Dr. Teeth, The Newsman (voice) / Pig / Link Hoghrob / Muppaphones / Link Hogthtrob / Gypsy / Marvin / Whatnot Dancers / Gloat / Jim / Pigs / Eel / The Muppet Newsman / Girl Dancer / Tennis Balls / Slim Wilson / Bun-Bun Brother / Old Man Singer / Bug / Rowlf the Dog / King Rupert the Second / Mary Louise / Hillbilly Singer / Viking Pig / Villager / The Newsman / Swedish Chef / Beautiful Day Monster / Villain / Newsman / Turkish Whatnot / Robot Kermit / Rowlf's Dancing Partner / Mahna Mahna / Flower-Eating Monster / Dancers / Baby / Beaker clones / Silver Beak / Zeke / Gills Brother / Prairie Dog / Brown Bear / Rat / Beaver / Butch the Tiger / Lefty / Gingerbread Man / Whatnot Dancer / Ernie / Shaky Sanchez / Boston Pops Conductor / The Muppaphones / Rover Joe / Droop / Singer / Clodhopper / Boppity / One of the Students / Pretty Monster / Jugband Member / Miss Kitty / Miss Kitty's Dancing Partner / Muppet Newspig / Doglion / Singing Fireman / Black Rooster / Leo / Piano / Nigel / Whatnot / Construction Worker / Lenny the Lizard / Scientist / Australian / Timmy Monster / Mean Mama / Blue Frackle / Fazoob / Cantaloupe

1976

Saturday Night Live

King Ploobis / King Ploobis (segment 'The Land of Gorch') / King Ploobis (segment 'Dregs and Vestiges')

1975

Out to Lunch

Kermit the Frog / Guy Smiley / Ernie / Person With Cue Card / Kermit

1974

Dinah!

Self

1974

Julie on Sesame Street

Ernie / Kermit the Frog

1973

The Julie Andrews Hour

Self - Creator 'Sesame street'

1972

Tales from Muppetland: The Muppet Musicians of Bremen

Kermit the Frog / Mean Floyd / Rat / Caleb Siles (body) / Catgut (assistant)

1972

Parkinson

Self

1971

Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince

Kermit, Garth, King Rupert / Kermit / King Rupert the Second / Garth

1971

Great Performances

Kermit the Frog / Self / Muppet Performer

1971

The Great Santa Claus Switch

Fred / Lothar (voice) / Lothar / Gloat

1970

The Muppets on Puppets

Himself / Self - Host / Rowlf the Dog / Kermit the Frog

1970

Sesame Street

Ernie / Kermit the Frog / Guy Smiley / The Baker / Sinister Sam / Anything Muppets / (voice) (archive footage) / Fat Blue VIctim / Barry Rhymie / Blue Martian / Nose / Marvin / Thomas Twiddlebug / Roberta / Kermit / Spaceship Surprise Captain / Fenwick / Sammy the Snake / Prime Minister / Cowboy / Doc / Fat Blue Victim / Clerk / Green Man / Green Cowboy / Lavender Cowboy / Genie / Juggler / Garbage Man / Freddy Smith / Father / Fat Blue Man / Fat Blue Dentist / Employer / Diver / Zizzy Zoomer #1 / Lavender Alien / City Man / City Hipster / Casanova / Blue Villager / Captain / Captain Vegetable / Bad Bart / Bread / Fat Blue J Friend / Boater / Bip Bippadotta / Lavender Vocalist / Store Clerk / Ben / The Letter W / Banker / Baker / The King of Eight / Jester / Harvey Monster / Anything Muppet / Boy / Blue Victim / Geefle / The Young Son / Lance / Green Man 'Exercise' / Frances's Last Line / Blue Man / Additional Anything Muppets / Bip Bipadotta / Goldfish / Frog / Beginning / Father ('Five People in My Family') / Fat Blue King / Fat Blue Guy / Fat Blue Cheerleader / Bruce / Green Monster / Harry / Janitor / Stagehand / W / Sam / Baker (segment "Song of Two") / Villager / Tony / Storekeeper / Royal Fireman / Royal Cook / Bartender / Tom Smith / The King / Pokey / Flakey / Drippy / The Juggler / Fred the Monster / Sam the Snake / Soldier / Juggler (on-camera) / Father (Pumpkin) / Uncle (Fat Blue) / Salvador Dada / Beatnik / Rowlf the Dog / Postman / Sneaky / Pat Playjacks / One Banana Vocalist / Nose Guy / Newsdealer / Nature Lover / Man / Mailman / Mahna Mahna / Lead Singer 'One Banana' / King Peter the Persnickety / Woman / Sheldon the Turtle / Purple Boy / Pedestrian / Mr. Essex / Moving Man / Motorperson / Monsters / Marvin (music store owner) / Mah Na Mah Na / Fat Blue / King of 8 / Lead Singer 'Street Garden Cooperation' / King / King Richard the Chicken-Hearted / King of Eight / Hipster / Henry / Orange Gold Subject / Maurice / Court Jester / Baby Monster / Blue Guy / Short Branch Cafe Bartender / Lost and Found Clerk / Elmo Mondiporg / City Guy / City Boy / The Baler / Head Cheerleader / Prince Charming / Baritone / Additional Muppets / Billy / Dan / Attendant / (archive footage) / Granny Fanny Nesselrode / Fiddler 1 / Royal Bass Player / Garbageman / The Mailman / Marshal McClean / King Gerry the Generous / Lavender Singer / Various Muppets / Grocer / Fat Blue Witch / Bus Driver / Bip Bippadota / Lead Singer 'Listen to the Bells' / Bruce Monster / Officer Stan / Carpenter / Mr. Jenkins / Guitarist / Villagers / Herry Monster / 'Spaceship Surprise' Captain / Lead Singer'Listen to the Bells' / Mr. Nose / George Washington / Two-Headed Monster's Mom / Grandmother Happy / Harold Happy / Fireman / The Geefle / The Emperor / Unicorn / Jack / Tuba Player / Sonny Friendly / Little Bird / Various Monsters / Scudge / Green Boy / Rancher Ernie / Lord Lester

1969

The David Frost Show

Self

1969

Hey Cinderella!

Kermit the Frog / King Goshposh / Rufus / Rufus (voice)

1969

That's Life

Kermit the Frog

1968

Our Place

Rowlf