Jim Henson Idea Man: What Happened to the Creator of the Muppets?

Jim Henson was an American puppeteer, actor, filmmaker, cartoonist, and animator who made several shows and films in the late 20th century. However, he is perhaps best known for creating The Muppets.

According to People Magazine, Ron Howard has directed an upcoming documentary based on Henson’s life and career. Titled Jim Henson Idea Man, this project recently released its trailer, which showed archival footage from the late puppeteer’s life. Furthermore, it will come out on Disney+ on May 31, 2024.

According to Disney Plus Press, the synopsis of Jim Henson Idea Man reads, “Jim Henson Idea Man” takes us into the mind of this singular creative visionary. From his early years puppeteering on local television to the worldwide success of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond. Featuring unprecedented access to Jim’s personal archives. Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.”

Jim Henson tragically passed away on May 16, 1990, at New York Hospital. According to The New York Times, he had a bacterial infection called streptococcus pneumonia that led to his demise. Reports suggest that right before his death, he was negotiating the sale of his company to The Walt Disney Company. However, the talks fell through after he died.

Jim Henson Idea Man’s producers are Ron Howard, Sara Bernstein, Margaret Bodde, Justin Wilkes, Brian Grazer, Christopher St. John, and Mark Monroe. Furthermore, its executive producers are Michael Rosenberg, Meredith Kaulfers, and Paul Crowder.

Jim Henson life and career

Jim Henson was born on September 24, 1936, to Paul Ransom Henson and Betty Marcella. His father, Paul, worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. Jim also had an elder brother named Paul Ransom Henson Jr., who died in a car crash on April 15, 1956.

Even though he was born in Mississippi, his family moved to University Park, Maryland, when he was still a young boy. Jim’s parents raised him as a Christian Scientist. However, he was immensely interested in Ventriloquism. He once stated that the arrival of his family’s first TV completely changed his life. He was a fan of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and devoutly followed the works of Burr Tillstrom.

According to Britannica, he and his future wife Jane Nebel created a puppet show on a Washington television station when they were still in college. Interestingly, this laid the foundation for the now-famous the Muppets. After graduating college in 1960, Henson and his team created commercials for various TV shows. Eventually, Sesame Street (featuring the Muppets) made its debut on TV in 1969, and Jim Henson quickly became a household name.

1976 saw the premiere of The Muppet Show, which was broadcasted in almost 100 countries. Subsequently, this led to the creation of several films such as The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper and The Muppets Take Manhattan. Jim Henson is also credited for projects such as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and The Witches. Throughout the 1980s, the Muppets franchise grew by leaps and bounds. This included a Muppets comic strip and also the Muppet Magazine, which was published quarterly throughout 1983 to 1989.

Jim Henson was married to Jane Nebel from 1959 until their separation in 1986. Together, they had five children: Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, John, and Heather.

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