Brian Henson

Acting

Brian Henson

Born

1963-11-03 (62)

Place of birth

New York City, New York, USA

Known for

Acting

Credits

70 titles

Brian Henson (born November 3, 1963) is an American puppeteer, filmmaker, actor and the chairman of The Jim Henson Company. He is the son of puppeteers Jim and Jane Henson. Henson was born on November 3, 1963, in New York City, the third child of Jane Henson (née Nebel; 1934–2013) and Jim Henson (1936–1990). He has four siblings: Lisa (born 1960), Cheryl(born 1961), John (1965–2014) and Heather Henson (born 1970). As a child, Henson appeared in some of the filmed segments that his father produced for the PBS children's series Sesame Street. As a teenager, he built the first Muppet penguin puppet for the opening "Lullaby of Broadway" segment of a Season 3 episode of The Muppet Show. During…

Known for

Dinosaurs poster
7.8

Dinosaurs follows the life of a family of dinosaurs, living in a modern world. They have TV's, fridges, microwaves, and every modern convenience.

Dinosaurs

1991

Going Live! poster
8.0

Going Live! was a Saturday morning magazine show, broadcast on BBC1 between 1987 and 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Peter Simon, Emma Forbes, and puppet Gordon the Gopher. The show was broadcast during the autumn to spring seasons, with other shows such as the 8:15 from Manchester and Parallel 9 taking over during the summer months. It was preceded by Saturday Superstore, and succeeded by Live & Kicking. In 1988, when the second series started, Greene was hurt in a helicopter crash with her then boyfriend, Mike Smith. Guest presenters stood in for her including T'Pau's Carol Decker. Similarly, in 1992-93 during the final series, Schofield was starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was unable to present the show. A third presenter took his place. Originally, Neighbours actor Kristian Schmid took the role but soon left after problems with his work permit. Various other celebrities to stand in included Shane Richie and Robbie Williams during his Take That days.

Going Live!

1987

Eli Roth's History of Horror poster
6.4

An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.

Eli Roth's History of Horror

2018

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 Happytime Murders poster
5.8

In a world where humans coexist with puppets—who are seen as lesser citizens—cast members of a beloved 1990s children's television series begin getting murdered one by one. Puppet Phil Philips, an ex-LAPD detective-turned-private eye, takes on the case at the request of his old boss in order to assist his former partner, Detective Connie Edwards.

The Happytime Murders

2018

Muppets Tonight poster
7.5

Muppets Tonight is a live-action/puppet television series created by Jim Henson Productions and featuring The Muppets. Much like the "MuppeTelevision" segment of The Jim Henson Hour, Muppets Tonight was a continuation of The Muppet Show, set in a television studio, rather than a theater. It ran on ABC from 1996 to 1998 and reruns ran on Disney Channel from 1997 to 2002.

Muppets Tonight

1996

Film credits

2020s · 5 titles

2010s · 4 titles

The Happytime Murders poster
5.8

In a world where humans coexist with puppets—who are seen as lesser citizens—cast members of a beloved 1990s children's television series begin getting murdered one by one. Puppet Phil Philips, an ex-LAPD detective-turned-private eye, takes on the case at the request of his old boss in order to assist his former partner, Detective Connie Edwards.

The Happytime Murders

2018

Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles poster
7.4

In the spring of 1984, a strange new comic book sat beside cash registers in select shops, too big to fit in the racks, and too weird to ignore. Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles presented a completely original breed of super hero. It was too bizarre, too crazy. It broke all the rules and should never have worked. Until it sold out. Again and again and again. For 30 years. Now, peek under the shell and see how this so-called "happy accident" defied every naysayer to become one of the most popular and beloved franchises in the world.

Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

2014

A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas! poster
8.1

A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas! is a tinsel-filled journey through the most iconic holiday films of all time, including perennial favorites It's A Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 34th Street (1947). The special looks at variations within the genre, such as holiday romances, family movies, and even thrillers. A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas! features behind the scenes stories and personal Hollywood Christmas memories from the likes of Chevy Chase, Margaret O'Brien, Chazz Palminteri, Deborah Raffin, Karolyn Grimes, Zack Ward, Brian Henson, Joe Dante, Trine Mitchum, authors Julie Salamon and Alonso Duralde, A Christmas Carol expert Michael Patrick Hearn, and many more.

A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas!

2011

In Their Own Words: Jim Henson poster
7.0

The film follows Henson’s career from his first work with his Muppets in the early 1950’s during television’s Golden Age up to his sudden and shocking death in 1990, as he transcended puppetry to become one of the most creative, prolific and influential artists of his time. Key events include his early television work with the Muppets while still a student at the University of Maryland, his commercial work and network appearances in the late 1950s and early 1960’s, his breakthrough with Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and his groundbreaking fantasy films, Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Among those interviewed for the Jim Henson episode are his children, Lisa, Cheryl, Brian and Heather Henson, actors Neil Patrick Harris and Candice Bergen, Willard Scott, director John Landis, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, and Sesame Street cast members Bob McGrath and Carroll Spinney.

In Their Own Words: Jim Henson

2015

2000s · 7 titles

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie poster
6.0

The owner of a bank (Miss Bitterman) wants to own the Muppet Theatre so she can build a nightclub over it. After she tricks Pepe into giving her the only copy of the contract between her father and the Muppets, she changes it so the Muppets have very little time to pay a debt they owe. Meanwhile, the Muppets are trying to put on a Christmas show. After the Muppets are confronted by Bitterman, they make a lot of sacrifices to save up so they can keep the Theatre.

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

2002

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz poster
5.2

A young woman named Dorothy Gale dreams of becoming a singer but is unable to pursue her dreams. After being swept up by a tornado with her pet prawn Toto, Dorothy embarks on a journey to meet the Wizard of Oz, the person who both Dorothy and the citizens of Oz believe can help make her dream come true.

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz

2005

Best Ever Muppet Moments poster
6.0

A review of the most memorable Muppet moments to commemorate Kermit the Frog's 50th anniversary.

Best Ever Muppet Moments

2006

Journey Through the Labyrinth poster
1.0

A retrospective look back at Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film 'Labyrinth'.

Journey Through the Labyrinth

2007

I Love Muppets poster
6.3

Gonzo the Great talks about the Muppets creator Jim Henson and what he did before the television show was made in 1976.

I Love Muppets

2002

Reflections of 'The Dark Crystal' poster
5.8

A retrospective look at Jim Henson and Frank Oz's 1982 fantasy film 'The Dark Crystal'.

Reflections of 'The Dark Crystal'

2007

Tinseltown poster
NR

This short made as a pilot by The Jim Henson Company for the Logo Network in 2007 revolves around the lives of a gay couple, Bobby and Samson (anthropomorphic pig and bull puppets respectively) balancing their romance, family and careers in Hollywood alongside a cast of supporting human characters. Was considered lost media for years until it resurfaced on Youtube on June 24th, 2026.

Tinseltown

2007

1990s · 10 titles

Muppets from Space poster
6.1

When Gonzo's breakfast cereal tells him that he's the descendant of aliens from another planet, his attempts at extraterrestrial communication get him kidnapped by a secret government agency, prompting the Muppets to spring into action to rescue their friend.

Muppets from Space

1999

Muppet Treasure Island poster
6.7

Young Jim Hawkins and his two best friends, Gonzo and Rizzo, embark on a voyage across the high seas in search of buried treasure, but soon find that not everyone onboard can be trusted.

Muppet Treasure Island

1996

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

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Theseus & the Minotaur poster
NR

Theseus, with help from a beautiful princess, versus the savage Minotaur, half-man half-bull.

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Theseus & the Minotaur

1991

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Perseus & the Gorgon poster
NR

The hero Perseus faces the Gorgon, Medusa.

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Perseus & the Gorgon

1991

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Orpheus & Eurydice poster
NR

The musician Orpheus descends to Hades to bring back his dead wife, Eurydice.

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Orpheus & Eurydice

1991

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Daedalus & Icarus poster
NR

The inventor Daedalus and his son Icarus flee from the wicked King Minos with the aid of Daedalus's man-made wings, but will Icarus heed his father's advice?

The Storyteller: Greek Myths - Daedalus & Icarus

1991

Living with Dinosaurs poster
7.2

A socially awkward young English boy deals with his fears about his unemployed artist father, his pregnant mother, and his asthma, with the help of his favorite doll, a stuffed dinosaur named Dog.

Living with Dinosaurs

1990

Muppet Classic Theater poster
7.0

Gonzo and Rizzo host a presentation in the Muppet Theater of six fairy tales performed by the Muppets. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Robin the Frog, Gonzo and Rizzo star in the various stories. The production also marked the first appearance of Andy and Randy Pig and the Elvises, who later appeared on Muppets Tonight. Written by Jim Lewis and Bill Prady, each story also features an original song.

Muppet Classic Theater

1994

Jim Henson's Memorial Service poster
10.0

Following Jim Henson's passing on May 16th 1990, two public memorial services were held. The first (featured here) was held in New York at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on May 21, 1990. The second service was held in London at St. Paul's Cathedral on July 2nd 1990.

Jim Henson's Memorial Service

1990

1980s · 15 titles

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

Return to Oz poster
6.7

Dorothy, saved from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, finds herself back in the land of her dreams, and makes delightful new friends, and dangerous new enemies.

Return to Oz

1985

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 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

Split Image poster
6.0

An impressionable young man finds himself enslaved by a modern-day religious cult. In an effort to bring him back to reality, the boy's parents hire a deprogrammer to kidnap him and return him to his family.

Split Image

1982

The Christmas Toy poster
6.8

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 Storyteller: The Three Ravens poster
NR

A witch weds a widowed king. Finding that his children pose a threat to her, she transforms the three boys into ravens. The girl escapes but is told she must remain silent for three years, or the boys will be trapped in raven form forever.

The Storyteller: The Three Ravens

1988

The Storyteller: The Luck Child poster
NR

Seeking to avert a prophecy which foretells of a seventh son someday supplanting the current king, the unscrupulous monarch seeks out this luck child and attempts to do away with him. But those blessed with luck cannot be undone.

The Storyteller: The Luck Child

1988

The Storyteller: Sapsorrow poster
NR

A beautiful princess seeking to escape an arranged marriage, flees to a distant kingdom and disguises herself as a loathsome hag. But then she falls in love with the new kingdom's prince.

The Storyteller: Sapsorrow

1988

Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets poster
6.9

Trace the life and career of visionary puppeteer Jim Henson through this fascinating documentary, which profiles the creative genius's early endeavors in college, his incredible contributions to "Sesame Street" and the creation of "The Muppet Show." In addition to interviews with Henson, his wife, Jane, and close collaborator Frank Oz, this in-depth special also offers viewers a peek inside the magical Henson Workshop.

Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets

1984

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

The Storyteller: Fearnot poster
NR

A carefree, absent-minded boy who is never scared goes on a strange journey to discover fear.

The Storyteller: Fearnot

1988

The Storyteller: A Story Short poster
NR

The Storyteller recounts the time he was caught making a fool of the royal cook and, as punishment meted out by the King, must tell one story a day for a year. All goes well until the very last day when he suffers from storyteller's block.

The Storyteller: A Story Short

1988

The Storyteller: The True Bride poster
NR

A white lion comes to the aid of a girl being held under the cruel care of a troll.

The Storyteller: The True Bride

1988

The Storyteller: Hans My Hedgehog poster
NR

A barren peasant woman, desperately craving a child, naively says aloud that she wouldn't care what it looks like. Soon enough, she gives birth to a baby who resembles a hedgehog, much to the father's dismay and the scorn of the villagers.

The Storyteller: Hans My Hedgehog

1988

Series credits

Dinosaurs poster
7.8

Dinosaurs follows the life of a family of dinosaurs, living in a modern world. They have TV's, fridges, microwaves, and every modern convenience.

Dinosaurs

1991

Dinosaurs poster
7.8

Dinosaurs follows the life of a family of dinosaurs, living in a modern world. They have TV's, fridges, microwaves, and every modern convenience.

Dinosaurs

1991

Going Live! poster
8.0

Going Live! was a Saturday morning magazine show, broadcast on BBC1 between 1987 and 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Peter Simon, Emma Forbes, and puppet Gordon the Gopher. The show was broadcast during the autumn to spring seasons, with other shows such as the 8:15 from Manchester and Parallel 9 taking over during the summer months. It was preceded by Saturday Superstore, and succeeded by Live & Kicking. In 1988, when the second series started, Greene was hurt in a helicopter crash with her then boyfriend, Mike Smith. Guest presenters stood in for her including T'Pau's Carol Decker. Similarly, in 1992-93 during the final series, Schofield was starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was unable to present the show. A third presenter took his place. Originally, Neighbours actor Kristian Schmid took the role but soon left after problems with his work permit. Various other celebrities to stand in included Shane Richie and Robbie Williams during his Take That days.

Going Live!

1987

Eli Roth's History of Horror poster
6.4

An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.

Eli Roth's History of Horror

2018

Muppets Tonight poster
7.5

Muppets Tonight is a live-action/puppet television series created by Jim Henson Productions and featuring The Muppets. Much like the "MuppeTelevision" segment of The Jim Henson Hour, Muppets Tonight was a continuation of The Muppet Show, set in a television studio, rather than a theater. It ran on ABC from 1996 to 1998 and reruns ran on Disney Channel from 1997 to 2002.

Muppets Tonight

1996

The Storyteller poster
8.2

The Storyteller, aided by his cynical dog, narrates classic folk tales, fables, and legends.

The Storyteller

1988

The Storyteller poster
8.2

The Storyteller, aided by his cynical dog, narrates classic folk tales, fables, and legends.

The Storyteller

1988

The Storyteller poster
8.2

The Storyteller, aided by his cynical dog, narrates classic folk tales, fables, and legends.

The Storyteller

1988

The Jim Henson Hour poster
9.0

An hour-long anthology series hosted by Jim Henson and generally included two segments. The first, MuppeTelevision, features comedy skits starring the Muppets, as well as frequent guest appearances by popular entertainers. The second often rebroadcasts original productions, primarily The StoryTeller.

The Jim Henson Hour

1989

Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story poster
6.8

Wealthy developer Jack Robinson is stunned when a gigantic human skeleton is discovered on his building site. According to a mysterious woman, it is part of a curse that has dogged his family for years. To lift the jinx placed upon him, Jack will need to visit the land in the sky - by climbing up a very tall beanstalk.

Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story

2001

The Storyteller: Greek Myths poster
8.2

A storyteller in a labyrinth tells his dog the stories of Perseus and Medusa, Icarus and Daedalus, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Orpheus and Euridyce.

The Storyteller: Greek Myths

1991

Prop Culture poster
7.8

Film historian and prop collector Dan Lanigan reunites iconic Disney movie props with the filmmakers, actors, and crew who created and used them in some of Disney’s most beloved films. Throughout this journey, Dan will recover lost artifacts, visit private collections, and help restore pieces from the Walt Disney Archives to their original glory.

Prop Culture

2020

Neil's Puppet Dreams poster
4.2

Neil's Puppet Dreams is a web series created by The Jim Henson Company under its Henson Alternative Banner and aired on The Nerdist Channel. The series stars Neil Patrick Harris who helped to create the series.

Neil's Puppet Dreams

2012

Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge poster
7.9

Ten aspiring creature creators competing to out-imagine one another in a series of challenges where they build everything from mechanical characters to whimsical beasts, bringing high-end creature designs to life. The contestants compete for a prize worth up to $100,000 including the opportunity for the job of a lifetime - a contract working at the world-renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™.

Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge

2014

Behind the camera

The Happytime Murders poster
5.8

In a world where humans coexist with puppets—who are seen as lesser citizens—cast members of a beloved 1990s children's television series begin getting murdered one by one. Puppet Phil Philips, an ex-LAPD detective-turned-private eye, takes on the case at the request of his old boss in order to assist his former partner, Detective Connie Edwards.

The Happytime Murders

2018

The Happytime Murders poster
5.8

In a world where humans coexist with puppets—who are seen as lesser citizens—cast members of a beloved 1990s children's television series begin getting murdered one by one. Puppet Phil Philips, an ex-LAPD detective-turned-private eye, takes on the case at the request of his old boss in order to assist his former partner, Detective Connie Edwards.

The Happytime Murders

2018

The Muppet Christmas Carol poster
7.5

A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during nighttime visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

1992

The Muppet Christmas Carol poster
7.5

A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during nighttime visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

1992

Muppets from Space poster
6.1

When Gonzo's breakfast cereal tells him that he's the descendant of aliens from another planet, his attempts at extraterrestrial communication get him kidnapped by a secret government agency, prompting the Muppets to spring into action to rescue their friend.

Muppets from Space

1999

Muppet Treasure Island poster
6.7

Young Jim Hawkins and his two best friends, Gonzo and Rizzo, embark on a voyage across the high seas in search of buried treasure, but soon find that not everyone onboard can be trusted.

Muppet Treasure Island

1996

Muppet Treasure Island poster
6.7

Young Jim Hawkins and his two best friends, Gonzo and Rizzo, embark on a voyage across the high seas in search of buried treasure, but soon find that not everyone onboard can be trusted.

Muppet Treasure Island

1996

Grendel poster
NR

The tale of the legendary monster at the heart of the Beowulf epic poem who steps forth to tell his side of the riveting story.

Grendel

—

Tall Poppy poster
4.0

Welcome to the town of Bland, where a not-so-little girl is about to change the way we see ambition forever. A film dedicated to all the Tall Poppies behind every small business. May you never stop growing.

Tall Poppy

2022

Tinseltown poster
NR

This short made as a pilot by The Jim Henson Company for the Logo Network in 2007 revolves around the lives of a gay couple, Bobby and Samson (anthropomorphic pig and bull puppets respectively) balancing their romance, family and careers in Hollywood alongside a cast of supporting human characters. Was considered lost media for years until it resurfaced on Youtube on June 24th, 2026.

Tinseltown

2007

Tinseltown poster
NR

This short made as a pilot by The Jim Henson Company for the Logo Network in 2007 revolves around the lives of a gay couple, Bobby and Samson (anthropomorphic pig and bull puppets respectively) balancing their romance, family and careers in Hollywood alongside a cast of supporting human characters. Was considered lost media for years until it resurfaced on Youtube on June 24th, 2026.

Tinseltown

2007