BIO Sphere

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Early Life Early Life Jim ● James Maury Henson was born on ● As a teenager, Henson wanted to work in Henson September 24, 1936, in Greenville, Mississippi. television. He was inspired by TV Burr Tillstrom. While in high school, he began Visionary Entertainer ● When he was young, he was interested in working for WTOP-TV. the arts. ● He made for a Saturday morning ● His grandmother was a painter and quilter. children’s show. She supported his creativity. As a child, Henson began putting on shows. ● He was the first person to have the puppet performer working where they couldn’t be Photo of young seen by the camera. Photo of young Jim Henson

Personality & Characteristics Life Story Life Story

● Henson was a creative person who loved ● Henson went to the University of Maryland. ● In 1963, Henson and his wife moved to many different art forms. New York City where they set up Muppets, ● While he was at school he worked on the Inc. ● As well as being a great puppeteer, he show . The show became also loved drawing and writing about a big hit. ● His wife stopped working with him to raise fantasy worlds. their children. ● After college, he went to Europe to study ● Henson knew how to think outside of the for a few months. After he came ● He hired puppeteer to replace box. back, he took part in talk shows, her. commercials, and other projects. ● He even created his own style of ● From 1963 to 1969, Henson made a puppeteering. Photo of young ● Henson started number of films. One of his films was Jim Henson Henson loading up his in 1958. early Muppets nominated for an Oscar. Henson with Kermit

Life Story Notable & Quotable Life Story

● In 1969, Henson and his team were invited ● Henson wanted to create a TV to become a part of a children’s show. series with . No American networks were ● This new show was called . “The most sophisticated interested. Henson played the roles of , Guy ● ● He ended up moving to England Smiley, and Kermit. people I know - inside in 1976 to make the show. At first, Henson's puppets were kept ● ● This show would include the separate from the real-life actors. they are all children.” Muppets’ best-known characters: ● Later the show had the puppets work , and Kermit. Depiction of Henson with his characters Sesame Street characters along with the live actors. Life Story Life Story Late Life

● Three years after The ● In 1982, Henson started the Jim Henson ● In 1989, Henson created a show called Muppet Show started, Foundation to promote the art of The Jim Henson Hour. The show won an puppetry. Emmy but had low ratings. came out. It was very successful. ● He made a few more movies as well. ● That year Henson began talking to The These include , . He was thinking ● Henson also helped Muppets Take Manhattan, and Labyrinth. about selling his company to them for create the Yoda $150 million. character in Star Wars. ● They didn’t actually buy it until 2004.

A mural of Muppets Henson in 1989 Henson in 1989

Late Life Late Life Notable & Quotable

● On May 12, Henson began feeling like he had the flu. “Life's like a movie, write your ● On May 15, he had trouble breathing. He was rushed to the hospital where he own ending. Keep believing, stopped breathing. ● Twenty hours later, he died on May 16, keep pretending.” 1990 from organ failure.

● He was only 53 years old.

When Jim Henson died, Disney artists sent a drawing of Mickey Mouse What do you think he means? Kermit says goodbye consoling to this mourning company

Notable & Quotable Legacy

● Jim Henson is known for creating the famous Muppet characters. They are “My hope still is to leave the still often seen in TV shows and movies today.

world a bit better than ● Henson was added to the Television Hall of Fame in 1987.

when I got here.” ● He won many awards for his work.

● Henson’s work and impact are still seen What does this mean to you? in children’s entertainment today. Jim Henson memorial “My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.”

Jim Henson (1936-1990) Mississippi / Maryland He was... - an artist, cartoonist, puppeteer and inventor - the creator of Sesame Street and The Muppets - the founder of the Jim Henson Foundation to support the art of puppetry #artists #SesameStreet #Muppets #icon #smile c Clark Creative Education JIM HENSON “The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children.” c Clark Creative Education “Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending.” - Jim Henson c Clark Creative Education Your Name BIO Sphere

artist creative inventor imagination puppet joy

Jim Henson c Clark Creative Education “My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.” Jim Henson

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