Sad news. I've been a life long fan of The Muppets and Sesame Street. Rest in peace Mr. Nelson.
From the Los Angeles Times --
Jerry Nelson, the puppeteer who gave voice to
dozens of characters on "Sesame Street," "Fraggle Rock" and "The
Muppet Show," died at home in Cape Cod, Mass., on Thursday night after
suffering from emphysema for several years. He was 78.
A statement on the Sesame Workshop's website (the
company that produces "Sesame
Street") paid tribute to Nelson, saying, "A member of the 'Sesame
Street' family for more than 40 years, he will forever be in our hearts
and remembered for the artistry in his puppetry, his music, and the laughter he
brought to children worldwide through his portrayal of Count von Count, Herry
Monster, Fat Blue, Sherlock Hemlock, the Amazing Mumford and many other beloved
characters."
Lisa Henson, daughter of Muppet creator Jim
Henson and current chief executive of the Jim Henson Co., also paid tribute
to Nelson in a statement, which read: "Jerry Nelson
imbued all his characters with the same gentle, sweet whimsy and kindness that
were a part of his own personality. He joined the Jim Henson Co. in the earliest
years, and his unique contributions to the worlds of Fraggles, Muppets, Sesame
Street and so many others are, and will continue to be, unforgettable. On behalf
of the Henson family and everyone at the Jim Henson Co., our deepest sympathies
go out to Jerry's family and to his many fans."
Nelson was born in Tulsa,
Okla., in 1934. He was one of the earliest members of Henson's troupe of
muppeteers, joining the group in 1965. He started on "Sesame Street" in the
show's second season in 1970.
On "The Muppet Show," Nelson
performed Sgt. Floyd Pepper (bassist for the Electric Mayhem), the boomerang
fish thrower Lew Zealand and Kermit's nephew, Robin. On "Fraggle Rock," he was
Gobo Fraggle and Marjory the Trash Heap, among other characters.
He played the role of the
telethon announcer in last year's big screen "The Muppets."
He is survived by his wife, Jan. Their daughter, Christine, died of
cystic
fibrosis in 1982.
1 comment:
I always associate him with Emmett Otter.
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