Jim Henson

Directing

Jim Henson

Born 1936-09-24 · Greenville, Mississippi, USA

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.

Acting credits

Labyrinth poster
7.3

Frustrated with babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah, a teenager with an active imagination, summons the Goblins to take her baby stepbrother away. When little Toby actually disappears, Sarah must follow him into a fantastical world to rescue him from the Goblin King. Guarding his castle is the labyrinth itself, a twisted maze of deception, populated with outrageous characters and unknown dangers.

Labyrinth

1986

The Muppet Movie poster
7.2

The Muppets gather to watch their newly-finished big-budget rich-and-famous feature film: a talent agent persuades Kermit the Frog to leave the swamp to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there, he meets a bear, a pig, a whatever (his future muppet crew), and some special celebrity guest stars, while being chased by the desperate owner of a frog-leg restaurant!

The Muppet Movie

1979

The Muppets poster
6.7

When Kermit the Frog and the Muppets learn that their beloved theater is slated for demolition, a sympathetic human, Gary, and his felt-faced brother, Walter, swoop in to help the gang put on a telethon show and raise the $10 million they need to save the day.

The Muppets

2011

The Dark Crystal poster
7.2

On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to his world, before the grotesque race of Skeksis find and use the crystal for evil.

The Dark Crystal

1982

Muppets Most Wanted poster
6.3

After the success of their telethon and renewed fame, the Muppets go on a world tour and find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.

Muppets Most Wanted

2014

Jim Henson Idea Man poster
7.8

Featuring unprecedented access to Jim Henson's personal archives, filmmaker Ron Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.

Jim Henson Idea Man

2024

The Muppets Take Manhattan poster
6.6

When the Muppets graduate from Danhurst College, they take their song-filled senior revue to New York City, only to learn that it isn't easy to find a producer who's willing to back a show starring a frog and a pig. Of course, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy won't take no for an answer, launching a search for someone to take them to Broadway.

The Muppets Take Manhattan

1984

Into the Night poster
6.5

Ed Okin used to have a boring life. He used to have trouble getting to sleep. Then one night, he met Diana. Now, Ed's having trouble staying alive.

Into the Night

1985

The Muppets Go Hollywood poster
6.2

Kermit the Frog throws a glamorous party at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub to celebrate the premiere of the Muppets' first feature film, The Muppet Movie. Hosts Dick van Dyke and Rita Moreno interview the wide array of celebrities and Muppets who attend the event. Gary Owens serves as off-camera announcer, and appears on-screen to introduce Miss Piggy.

The Muppets Go Hollywood

1979

The Great Muppet Caper poster
6.9

Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time frame Miss Piggy. It's up to Kermit and the rest of the Muppets to bring the real culprits to justice.

The Great Muppet Caper

1981

The Earth Day Special poster
6.1

The Earth Day Special is a television special revolving around Earth Day that aired on ABC on April 22, 1990. Sponsored by Time Warner, the special featured an all-star cast addressing concerns about global warming, deforestation, and other environmental ills.

The Earth Day Special

1990

Dog City poster
8.1

This parody of film noir and gangster flicks takes us through the dangerous town of Dog City, teeming with colorful Muppet Dog characters. Rowlf the dog is your guide through the underside of canine life during the 1930s in Dog City. Our hero, Ace, enters the world of bulldog gangsters and terrier molls when he inherits a saloon from his late Uncle Harry. Unwilling to pay protection money, Ace finds himself the target of Bugsy, a bulldog bully who owns most of Dog City. Life can be ruff!

Dog City

1989

Night of 100 Stars II poster
6.8

This special is the second "Night of 100 Stars" to benefit The Actors Fund of America. Edited from a seven-hour live entertainment marathon that was taped February 17, 1985, at New York's Radio City Music Hall, this sequel to the 1982 "Night of 100 Stars" special features 288 celebrities.

Night of 100 Stars II

1985

Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration poster
7.0

Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration is a special produced for the beloved series' 25th anniversary. Released in a slightly different form on video in October 1993, the special was shelved for its broadcast premiere on PBS until 1994, during pledge drive season, and in many markets, aired as part of a marathon block with three show episodes.

Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration

1993

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show poster
8.2

Miss Piggy hosts her own variety show, with special guests John Ritter, George Hamilton and Tony Clifton (Andy Kaufman). Under the direction of Kermit the Frog, the Muppets work in the control room and, amidst chaos, manage to keep the show on the air. Throughout the show, a romantic triangle develops among Piggy, Ritter (who is smitten with the pig) and Hamilton (who is deeply uncomfortable with the star's romantic inclinations).

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show

1982

Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! poster
7.0

Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! was a 1994 TV special that aired on ABC to celebrate Sesame Street's 25th anniversary. It was originally broadcast on May 18, 1994. The show featured Joe Pesci (as Ronald Grump), Corbin Bernsen (as real estate attorney, Arnie), Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman (as a Worm TV hosts), John Goodman (as Tough Guy Helpline operator), Charles Grodin (as Chaz), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (as reporter Kathie Lee Kathie), Rosie O'Donnell (as the Good Hope Fairy), Susan Sarandon (as Bitsy), Barbara Walters (reporting for 25/25), and Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford (as themselves).

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

1994

No artwork available
NR

In this interactive videocassette, viewers are invited to help the Muppets direct three of their latest features, while also preventing the studio from going bankrupt.

Muppet Studios Presents: You're the Director

1988

Follow That Bird poster
6.4

Big Bird is sent to live far from Sesame Street by a pesky social worker, who thinks it would be better for him to live with other birds. Unhappy, Big Bird runs away from his foster home, prompting the rest of the Sesame Street gang to go on a cross-country journey to find him.

Follow That Bird

1985

The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson poster
6.8

While the Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.

The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson

1990

The World of Jim Henson poster
7.4

In this episode of PBS' Great Performances, the history and legacy of puppeteer Jim Henson is explored, from his six-second commercial beginnings to a five-season run on ABC of The Muppet Show to several theatrically released films, including five Muppet movies, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.

The World of Jim Henson

1994

No artwork available
NR

A comedy variety special with an ecological twist.

Keep U.S. Beautiful

1973

The Christmas Toy poster
6.9

It's Christmas Eve and the playroom is alive with excitement for the new toys that will arrive the next day. Balthazar, the old and wise bear, explains to the other toys that they must welcome the newcomers even though each of them may be replaced as one of the children's new favorite toys.

The Christmas Toy

1986

A Muppet Family Christmas poster
6.9

Fozzie Bear surprises his mother on Christmas Eve by bringing the entire Muppet gang to her farm to celebrate the holidays. Doc and his dog Sprocket, who had planned a quiet Christmas, end up joining the Muppets in their holiday activities and preparations. The Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock regulars join the festivities, but to Kermit's dismay, the only one missing is Miss Piggy, who has been caught in a snowstorm.

A Muppet Family Christmas

1987

The Muppets at Walt Disney World poster
6.6

The Muppets are visiting Kermit's family for their annual reunion. However, the others learn that the swamp is right next to Walt Disney World, where they sneak in and are pursued by a persistent security guard. Featured attractions and areas include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, Star Tours, the Mad Tea Party, World Showcase, the Walt Disney World Monorail System and the utilidors.

The Muppets at Walt Disney World

1990

Behind the camera

Labyrinth poster
7.3

Frustrated with babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah, a teenager with an active imagination, summons the Goblins to take her baby stepbrother away. When little Toby actually disappears, Sarah must follow him into a fantastical world to rescue him from the Goblin King. Guarding his castle is the labyrinth itself, a twisted maze of deception, populated with outrageous characters and unknown dangers.

Labyrinth

1986

The Muppet Movie poster
7.2

The Muppets gather to watch their newly-finished big-budget rich-and-famous feature film: a talent agent persuades Kermit the Frog to leave the swamp to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there, he meets a bear, a pig, a whatever (his future muppet crew), and some special celebrity guest stars, while being chased by the desperate owner of a frog-leg restaurant!

The Muppet Movie

1979

The Dark Crystal poster
7.2

On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to his world, before the grotesque race of Skeksis find and use the crystal for evil.

The Dark Crystal

1982

The Dark Crystal poster
7.2

On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to his world, before the grotesque race of Skeksis find and use the crystal for evil.

The Dark Crystal

1982

The Great Muppet Caper poster
6.9

Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time frame Miss Piggy. It's up to Kermit and the rest of the Muppets to bring the real culprits to justice.

The Great Muppet Caper

1981

Dog City poster
8.1

This parody of film noir and gangster flicks takes us through the dangerous town of Dog City, teeming with colorful Muppet Dog characters. Rowlf the dog is your guide through the underside of canine life during the 1930s in Dog City. Our hero, Ace, enters the world of bulldog gangsters and terrier molls when he inherits a saloon from his late Uncle Harry. Unwilling to pay protection money, Ace finds himself the target of Bugsy, a bulldog bully who owns most of Dog City. Life can be ruff!

Dog City

1989

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show poster
8.2

Miss Piggy hosts her own variety show, with special guests John Ritter, George Hamilton and Tony Clifton (Andy Kaufman). Under the direction of Kermit the Frog, the Muppets work in the control room and, amidst chaos, manage to keep the show on the air. Throughout the show, a romantic triangle develops among Piggy, Ritter (who is smitten with the pig) and Hamilton (who is deeply uncomfortable with the star's romantic inclinations).

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show

1982

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show poster
8.2

Miss Piggy hosts her own variety show, with special guests John Ritter, George Hamilton and Tony Clifton (Andy Kaufman). Under the direction of Kermit the Frog, the Muppets work in the control room and, amidst chaos, manage to keep the show on the air. Throughout the show, a romantic triangle develops among Piggy, Ritter (who is smitten with the pig) and Hamilton (who is deeply uncomfortable with the star's romantic inclinations).

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show

1982

The Christmas Toy poster
6.9

It's Christmas Eve and the playroom is alive with excitement for the new toys that will arrive the next day. Balthazar, the old and wise bear, explains to the other toys that they must welcome the newcomers even though each of them may be replaced as one of the children's new favorite toys.

The Christmas Toy

1986

The Cube poster
7.1

An unnamed character is trapped in a cubical white room where others can enter and leave, but which he himself apparently cannot leave. A stool is brought in covered in strawberry jam, the furniture changes throughout the play. The main character is subjected to an increasingly puzzling and frustrating series of encounters, as a variety of people come through various hidden doors. But, as many remind him, he can only leave through his own door, so he must find it.

The Cube

1969

The Cube poster
7.1

An unnamed character is trapped in a cubical white room where others can enter and leave, but which he himself apparently cannot leave. A stool is brought in covered in strawberry jam, the furniture changes throughout the play. The main character is subjected to an increasingly puzzling and frustrating series of encounters, as a variety of people come through various hidden doors. But, as many remind him, he can only leave through his own door, so he must find it.

The Cube

1969

Fraggle Rock: Scared Silly poster
NR

Join the Fraggle gang in three frightfully delightful episodes full of mystery and magic! From Wembley accidentally wandering into the cursed “Terrible Tunnel,” Boober discovering what makes Fraggle tails flare when they get startled, and Ma and Pa Gorg leaving Junior alone in the castle on a dark and stormy night, Fraggle Rock: Scared Silly is bursting with Halloween fun! Include 3 ghostly episodes: “Terrible Tunnel,” “Scared Silly” and “A Dark & Stormy Night.”

Fraggle Rock: Scared Silly

1985

Muppet Treasures poster
7.3

Fozzie and Kermit have come across a priceless collection of great moments in the career of the Muppets. This collection features many Muppet TV segments, including episodes of "Pigs in Space," and "Veterinarian's Hospital."

Muppet Treasures

1985

Run, Run poster
7.0

RUN, RUN, a polished live-action effort shot by Jim Henson and Frank Oz in Greenwich, CT in October 1965, is a visualization of the joys of childhood and the wonder of nature. In the short, Jim’s daughters run freely through woods saturated by the colors of autumn into the warm embrace of their mother. The action is underscored by Joe Raposo’s lilting music, giving a sense of visual poetry.

Run, Run

1965

Run, Run poster
7.0

RUN, RUN, a polished live-action effort shot by Jim Henson and Frank Oz in Greenwich, CT in October 1965, is a visualization of the joys of childhood and the wonder of nature. In the short, Jim’s daughters run freely through woods saturated by the colors of autumn into the warm embrace of their mother. The action is underscored by Joe Raposo’s lilting music, giving a sense of visual poetry.

Run, Run

1965

The Storyteller: The Soldier and Death poster
NR

Because of kind acts toward three beggars, an honest soldier returning from war is given a magical sack, an unbeatable deck of cards, a ruby whistle and a comparable dance, which he uses to save a kingdom and to foil Death.

The Storyteller: The Soldier and Death

1988

The Muppets Go to the Movies poster
7.0

In this one-hour special taped between March 9-17, 1981, Lily Tomlin and Dudley Moore join the Muppets in a tribute to film classics. Kermit the Frog hosts the program, which begins with an all-cast rendition of "Hey a Movie!" from The Great Muppet Caper.

The Muppets Go to the Movies

1981

The Muppets Go to the Movies poster
7.0

In this one-hour special taped between March 9-17, 1981, Lily Tomlin and Dudley Moore join the Muppets in a tribute to film classics. Kermit the Frog hosts the program, which begins with an all-cast rendition of "Hey a Movie!" from The Great Muppet Caper.

The Muppets Go to the Movies

1981

The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2 poster
6.7

Highlights from the sensational, muppetational seventies series. Kermit the Frog hosts a selection of top clips, including episodes of the classic sci-fi saga 'Pigs in Space' and surgical soap 'Veterinarian's Hospital'.

The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2

1999

The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2 poster
6.7

Highlights from the sensational, muppetational seventies series. Kermit the Frog hosts a selection of top clips, including episodes of the classic sci-fi saga 'Pigs in Space' and surgical soap 'Veterinarian's Hospital'.

The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2

1999

The Very Best of the Muppet Show poster
7.0

Play the music! Light the lights! The Best of the Muppet Show is now available on DVD--and what a show it is! All non-human life is here in a muppet-fest of music and comedy: from pigs in space to talking rats, singing chickens to a chocolate "moose". The initial 50-minute feature has all the best bits from this inspirational, celebrational 1970s show including Kermit's sensitive rendering of "It's Not Easy Being Green" and Miss Piggy's less sensitive take on Wonder Woman.

The Very Best of the Muppet Show

1999

The Very Best of the Muppet Show poster
7.0

Play the music! Light the lights! The Best of the Muppet Show is now available on DVD--and what a show it is! All non-human life is here in a muppet-fest of music and comedy: from pigs in space to talking rats, singing chickens to a chocolate "moose". The initial 50-minute feature has all the best bits from this inspirational, celebrational 1970s show including Kermit's sensitive rendering of "It's Not Easy Being Green" and Miss Piggy's less sensitive take on Wonder Woman.

The Very Best of the Muppet Show

1999

The Reindeer poster
NR

Dasher tells the other reindeer that there's no snow and thus they can't deliver any presents. Prancer, Dancer, Donder and Bitzen keep breaking into Christmas carols whenever Dasher says a word from one. Eventually they try to make a Snow Dance. This is the first appearance of the Reindeer characters, on Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall Christmas.

The Reindeer

1965

Inside the Labyrinth poster
7.6

A behind-the-scenes look at Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film, 'Labyrinth', featuring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly.

Inside the Labyrinth

1986