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Jim Henson

Celebrity

Jim Henson: Biography

jim henson
  • Birth Name: James Maury Henson
  • Birth Place: Greenville, MS
  • Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 09/24/1936, Libra
  • Date of Death: 05/16/1990
  • Profession: Puppeteer; producer; writer; director
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Jim Henson Fast Facts:
  • A bronze statue of him seated on a granite bench and talking with Kermit the Frog resides at his alma mater, the University of Maryland.
  • As a college student, created Kermit using his mother's old green coat and a ping-pong ball cut in half for the eyes.
  • Rowlf the Dog, not Kermit, was the first Muppet to gain national attention through TV appearances in the early 1960s.
  • Coined the word Muppet to describe the combination of marionette and foam-rubber puppet.
  • Was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987.
  • As per his wishes, no one wore black at his 1990 funeral; Harry Belafonte sang "Turn the World Around," a song he had performed on The Muppet Show.
  • Was honored posthumously in 1991 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • In 1992, he posthumously received the Children's Peace Award from the Peace Abby for his work for children that encouraged tolerance, interracial values, equality and fair play.
  • Henson earned such honors because he lived out this philosophy: "When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there."
  • His work continues through the Jim Henson Company and the Jim Henson Foundation.
  • Jim Henson Relationships:
  • Brian Henson - Son
  • Cheryl Henson - Daughter
  • Elizabeth Henson - Mother
  • Heather Henson - Daughter
  • Jane Nebel - Wife
  • John Henson - Son
  • Lisa Henson - Daughter
  • Paul R. Henson - Father
  • Jim Henson Awards:
  • 1980 Emmy: Outstanding Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 1981 Emmy: Outstanding Children's Program - Nominee
  • 1987 Emmy: Outstanding Children's Program - Nominee
  • 1987 Emmy: Outstanding Children's Program - Winner
  • 1988 Emmy: Outstanding Children's Program - Nominee
  • 1989 Emmy: Outstanding Children's Program - Nominee
  • 1990 Emmy: Outstanding Children's Program - Nominee
  • 1979 Emmy: Outstanding Comedy - Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 1990 Emmy: Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 1986 Peabody: Personal Award - Winner
  • 1965 Oscar: Best Short Film, Live Action - Nominee
  • 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series - Nominee
  • 1978 Emmy: Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series - Winner
  • 1978 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series - Nominee
  • 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series - Nominee
  • 1980 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 1989 Emmy: Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program - Winner
  • 1981 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
  • 1989 Emmy: Outstanding Special Events - Nominee
  • 1978 Grammy: Best Recording for Children - Winner
  • 1979 Grammy: Best Recording for Children - Winner
  • 1981 Grammy: Best Recording for Children - Winner
  • 1985 Grammy: Best Recording for Children - Winner
  • 1986 Grammy: Best Recording for Children - Winner
  • College:
  • University of Maryland, College Park, MD (BA in Theater Arts, 1960)
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