Jane Henson, co-creator of the Muppets, passed away at seventy-eight years old. Jane had been battling cancer and sadly lost that battle on Tuesday. According to the Jim Henson Company, Jane died in her home in Connecticut.
Jane met Jim Henson in the 1950’s in a puppetry class at the University of Maryland. The pair then became business partners through the creation, development, and marketing of the Muppets. Jim Henson began performing on a TV show called “Sam and Friends” with his creations in Washington, D.C. He asked Jane to join him on the show as a performer and puppet designer, and she became his creative and business partner in the endeavor that produced Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the “Sesame Street” characters Big Bird, Ernie and the Cooke Monster. Jane continued her involvement in her husband’s company and together, they launched “The Muppet Show” and a series of Muppets movies beginning in the 1970’s.
Jane and Jim were married in 1959 and had five children together- Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, John and Heather. The couple did eventually separate in 1986 and Jim Henson passed away in 1990.
Jane created and funded The Jim Henson Legacy in 1992 in order to preserve Jim’s artistic contributions. She even donated some of Jim Henson’s early puppets, including the original Kermit, to the Smithsonian Museum. Jane also served on the board of the Jim Henson Foundation which helps encourage puppetry and artists.
A memorial mass is planned next week to honor Jane Henson and the legacy she leaves behind.
Our condolences go out to the entire Henson family on their loss.
When Siera isn’t helping plan Disney vacations, you can find her spreading magic on Facebook and Twitter.
Related articles
- Jane Henson, Who Helped Create Muppets, Dies (people.com)
- Muppets’ Jane Henson Dead at 78 (abcnews.go.com)
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