Jim Henson

James Maury Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was an American puppeteer, animator, cartoonist, actor, inventor, and filmmaker. He achieved worldwide notability as the creator of the Muppets, and was also known for creating Fraggle Rock (1983–1987) and directing The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986). Henson was born in Greenville, Mississippi, and raised in Leland, Mississippi, and University Park, Maryland. He started developing puppets in high school and went on to create the short-form comedy television program Sam and Friends (1955–1961) in collaboration with Jane Nebel. In 1969, Henson created Sesame Street, a educational children's television show that became a cultural phenomenon.