Jim Henson: The Biography

by Brian Jay Jones

  First and most important, this project would never have been possible without the gracious support and encouragement of the Henson family: Jane, Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, John, and Heather Henson. Enthusiastic as well as endlessly patient, all six were generous with their time and genuinely thoughtful, reflective—and, as you might expect, funny—during our countless interview sessions, emails, and phone conversations. They also kindly assisted me in reaching out to other performers, employees, friends, and family members whose input was critical to this book. It has been my privilege to have Jim’s family directly involved with this book, and to have them share their stories and memories with me. Jane Henson’s death in April 2013 after a courageous fight with cancer was a genuine loss, and I’m so grateful for the time I spent with her, tape recorder rolling, to talk about Jim’s life and her own. I’ll miss her. A lot.

  I also miss Jim Henson, and want to thank him, wherever he is (and he was always certain he’d be somewhere) for the pleasure of working on this project. While it may sound goopy and New Agey, there really were times when I sincerely felt his presence as I turned over page after page of his handwritten notes, touched his personal leather-bound copy of a script, or even watched someone’s face light up as they recalled a memory of working with him or making him laugh. I wouldn’t presume to say he was guiding this project, but he really did seem to somehow always be there, calmly guiding, inspiring, and making everything better. Thanks, Jim.

  The Jim Henson Legacy—an organization established in 1993 by Jane Henson with Al Gottesman, Arthur Novell, and Dick Wedemeyer to preserve and perpetuate Jim’s countless contributions to puppetry, film, special effects, and culture—also provided invaluable support and critical guidance. My deepest thanks go to the inimitable Arthur Novell—if this book can be said to have a spiritual father, he’s it—whose advice, keen instincts, and sense of humor could always be counted on. Al Gottesman, attorney extraordinaire, ran the traps necessary to grant me access to countless unseen documents, and provided critical insight into the inner workings of Jim’s company; meanwhile, the good-humored Bonnie Erickson guided me not only through Henson history, but also gave me a crash course in the art and craft of designing and making Muppets.

  A mere “thank you” hardly seems adequate to express my appreciation for the enthusiasm and very thorough support I received from Karen Falk, archivist for The Jim Henson Company—the company’s official name since 1997—at its Long Island City facility. Talented, infinitely patient, and hugely organized—she can find anything quickly—Karen not only helped me pore through the archives, but also gamely helped lug archival boxes, change copier paper, and track down photo credits. She also allowed me to barrage her with emails at all hours of the day, and always responded quickly and thoroughly. You’re the greatest, Karen.

  I’d also like to thank the staffs at The Jim Henson Legacy and The Jim Henson Company, who not only provided invaluable assistance, but graciously allowed me to share their space and get in their way as they worked. In particular, I’d like to extend a special thanks to Gigi Bewabi, Rhoda Cosme, Carla Dellavedova, Nicole Goldman, Ashley Griffis, Joe Henderson, Hillary Howell, Jill Peterson, Peter Schube, Craig Shemin, and Nathaniel Wharton.

  One of the real thrills of this book was meeting and talking with the Muppet performers and creative staff. I am especially indebted to Jim’s closest friend and collaborator, Frank Oz, who graciously made himself freely available to me not only in person, but also enthusiastically (and usually hilariously) responded to countless emails and phone calls asking for “just one more minute” to answer a question. I’m deeply saddened by the loss of performer Jerry Nelson, who passed away in late 2012 as this book was being completed, but I’m extremely grateful for the time I had with him at his home in Cape Cod, and thank his wife, Jan, for sharing him. I also appreciate the time I was given by Dave Goelz and Steve Whitmire, not only for their insights and perspectives, but also because they allowed me the pleasure of watching them perform on-set (and my thanks to the members of OK Go, who also permitted me to be there). I’m also very thankful for the time, courtesy, and insights I received from the wonderful and talented Martin Baker, Diana Birkenfield (whom we also lost in 2012), Fran Brill, Christopher Cerf, Kevin Clash, Michael Frith, Brian and Wendy Froud, Louise Gold, Peter Harris, Susan Juhl, Duncan Kenworthy, Rollie Krewson, Larry Mirkin, Kathy Mullen, David Odell, Bob Payne, Alex Rockwell, and Jocelyn Stevenson. I also appreciate the courtesy extended by the families of Bernie Brillstein, Richard Hunt, Jerry Juhl, and Anthony Minghella, all of whom graciously permitted me to use unpublished archival interviews conducted by others.

  Further, I am grateful to the following for their time, courtesy, assistance, expertise, and/or insights: Tommy and Barbara Baggette, Bob Bell, Stephen Christy, Mary Ann Cleary, Joan Ganz Cooney, Mark Evanier, Christopher Finch, Royall Frazier, Stan and Hunter Freberg, Judy Harris, Joe Irwin, Dr. Stanley and Tomma Jenkins, Gordon E. Jones, Mac McGarry, Ken Plume, Nick Raposo, Lynnie Raybuck, Jessica Max Stein, and Susan Whitaker. For background on Leland, Hyattsville, and Jim’s family and ancestry, I am indebted to Dot Love Turk, Daryl Lewis, Jody Stovell, Rick Williams, Sr., the Hyattsville Preservation Society, Colleen Formby at the Hyattsville Library, Sarah Moseley, Mayor John Brunner, Iowa State University archivist Michele Christian, and Vin Novara and Anne Turkos at the University of Maryland. For their assistance with images and other archival matters, my sincere thanks to Susan Tofte and Jennifer Wendell at Sesame Workshop, Madlyn Moskowitz and Tina Mills at Lucasfilm, and Debbie McClellan and her team at Disney. At the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Vincent Anthony, Jeremy Underwood, Brad Clark, Liz Lee, and Meghan Fuller were exceptionally helpful.

  I also want to acknowledge a few members of the Henson family who made me feel welcome as I took the time of another family member: Lisa Henson’s husband, David Pressler, and their children, Julian and Ginger; Cheryl Henson’s husband, Ed Finn, and their children, Elizabeth and Declan; and John Henson’s wife, Gyongyi, and their children, Sydney and Katrina. Thanks for your patience and courtesy.

  I also want to extend my appreciation to Eric Burns, Edward Crapol, Christoph Irmscher, Kate Eagen Johnson, and Ted Widmer (all of whom know why), as well as Jill Schwartzman, Brian Shirey, and Charles J. Shields—who also all know why.

  At Random House, I am particularly thankful for my editor, Ryan Doherty, whose enthusiasm for this project was truly inspirational, and whose guidance and editorial talent helped make this book better and clearer. I also appreciate the support of Richard Callison and Jennifer Tung, and the talents of David Moench and Quinne Rogers. The copyediting team of Frederick Chase and Beth Pearson went above and beyond in keeping this book as clean and free of mistakes as possible. Any errors or inaccuracies in this book remain mine and mine alone.

  A very special thank-you to my agent, Jonathan Lyons, whose expertise helped guide this book through its fledgling state, and who still guides and encourages me to this day. He and his wife, Cameron, made me feel like one of the family during my countless trips to New York, and I am grateful for their personal and professional friendship.

  On a personal note, I am thankful for the family, friends, and colleagues who encouraged and supported me during the five years I was at work on this dream project, who always asked, “How are things going?” and understood when I had to decline invitations with, “I can’t; I’m writing.” My deepest thanks, then, to my parents, Larry Jones and Elaine and Wayne Miller, and my awesome, Muppet-loving brother, Cris. My warmest appreciation to Mike and Cassie Knapp, Frank and Jane Schwartz, Dave and Trish English, Joe and Angie Marella, Raice and Liselle McLeod, Dave and Gail Noren, Mike and Marron Lee Nelson, Daniela Moya-Geber, Carmen Berrios, Nancy Aldous, and Joyce Fuhrmann.

  Finally, none of what you now hold in your hands could have been accomplished without the love and support of the two most important people in the world to me–my wife, Barb, and our daughter, Madi. Their enthusiasm and excitement for this project�
�even as I disappeared downstairs into my office to write for days and weeks on end—made missing family dinners or weekend volleyball tournaments a bit more bearable. More important, their love and laughter always gave me something warm and wonderful to come up the stairs to each evening. Barb and Madi—and yes, even Grayson the dog—this is your book, too, for I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you guys. Now get the dog off the couch.

  —Damascus, Maryland, February 2013

  NOTES

  Several frequently cited names and sources appear in these notes in shortened form, including on first reference. A key appears below, but a few sources merit special mention.

  First, much of the research for this book was conducted in the private archives of The Jim Henson Company in Long Island City, New York. Most referenced materials from these archives are denoted with the prefix JHCA and some sort of a short identifying tag—usually indicating a folder or, in some cases, an archival box—in accordance with the archive’s internal filing system. Additionally, a number of private materials—which do not reside in the company’s archives—were graciously provided for my usage by the Henson family, through their counsel. These items are denoted as “Henson Family Properties.”

  One of the most helpful documents in the archives is the private journal of Jim’s that he began in 1965, in which he would note key dates and events in his life. This journal, with a striped red cover on which he inked the words “THE MUPPETS,” has since come to be called “Jim’s Red Book.” It will hereafter be cited as “JH RB” in these pages.

  Jim Henson rarely sat for extensive interviews, but one of the best was conducted by Judy Harris, whose complete, unpublished 1982 interview can be retrieved on her website at http://​users.​bestweb.​net/~foosie/​henson.​htm. I am very grateful to Judy for permitting me to quote freely from this interview, which is cited in these notes as “Harris.” Additionally, in the mid-1980s, Jim again permitted himself to be interviewed at length—likely by author Christopher Finch, though memories are hazy—and then had his answers transcribed into a twenty-three-page document filed in the archives as “Jim Henson Quotes.” This document will be cited as “JH Quotes.”

  Finally, two of the most important books on Jim Henson and his work are Christopher Finch’s 1993 Jim Henson: The Works, the Art, the Magic, the Imagination and his 1981 Of Muppets and Men: The Making of The Muppet Show (see the Selected Bibliography). Finch’s books contain not only valuable information but also provide crucial firsthand accounts of Jim and the Muppet performers at work. These books are cited in these notes as WAMI and OMAM, respectively.

  Unless otherwise indicated, interviews were conducted by the author.

  KEY TO SHORTENED OR ABBREVIATED NAMES AND SOURCES

  BB = Bernie Brillstein

  Being Green = Jim Henson and the Muppets and Friends, It’s Not Easy

  Being Green (And Other Things to Consider)

  BH = Brian Henson

  CH = Cheryl Henson

  DL = David Lazer

  FO = Frank Oz

  Harris = Jim Henson interview with Judy Harris, 1982

  JH = Jim Henson

  JHCA = Jim Henson Company archives

  JH Quotes = “Jim Henson Quotes” (JHCA family box)

  JH RB = Jim Henson’s Red Book (JHCA 9177)

  JJ = Jerry Juhl

  JS = Jon Stone

  LH = Lisa Henson

  OMAM = Christopher Finch, Of Muppets and Men: The Making of The Muppet Show

  WAMI = Christopher Finch, Jim Henson: The Works, the Art, the Magic, the Imagination

  CHAPTER ONE: THE DELTA

  1 The town of Leland Dorothy Love Turk, Leland, Mississippi: From Hellhole to Beauty Spot (Leland Historical Foundation, 1986), 3–12.

  2 In 1904 Amy Lipe Taylor, The Delta Branch Experiment Station: 100 Years of Agricultural Research (Mississippi State University, 2004), 13.

  3 One of Jim’s favorite family stories The author is grateful to the Henson family, through Henson Family Properties, for providing audio recordings of Jim interviewing Betty and Paul Henson, Sr., on August 6, 1972, and Mary Ann Jenkins, Bobby Henson, and Paul Henson, Sr., on Deccember 30, 1981. Unless otherwise noted, these recordings served as this chapter’s primary source of quotes and stories regarding Jim Henson’s ancestry (hereafter cited as “JH audio interviews”).

  4 Albert and Effie would eventually settle The Twelfth Census of the United States (1900) shows the Hensons living in the township of South Wichita, Lincoln County, Oklahoma.

  5 Over the next four years Paul Henson’s 1928 thesis was titled “Yield Studies of Seventy-Five Hybrid Strains of Soybeans.” The author is grateful to Iowa State University for providing a copy of this document.

  6 One afternoon, while eating his lunch Tomma S. Jenkins, email to Heather Henson, September 9, 1998.

  7 Oscar Hinrichs Rick Williams and Rosanne Butler, “Journals of a Confederate Mapmaker,” Boston Map Society newsletter 18 (October 2006). See also Rosanne Butler, “Information About Oscar Hinrichs and Family,” December 2006 (JHCA 20028).

  8 Less than a year later Hinrichs’s suicide note was published in the September 25, 1892, Washington Post as “A Strange Document.”

  9 Born in Kentucky See Twelfth Census of the United States for Jefferson County, Kentucky.

  10 For the next few years The Thirteenth Census of the United States (1910) shows the Browns—including Mary Agnes and Betty—living in Memphis City, Shelby County, Tennessee, where Maury’s profession is listed as “chief clerk, railroad office.” In 1920, the Browns—now including youngest daughter Bobby—were in New Orleans, while the Fifteenth Census (1930) puts them in Hyattsville, Maryland.

  11 “I just thought we had the happiest home” JH audio interviews.

  12 At some point Jane Henson interview.

  13 “perfectly awful” JH audio interviews.

  14 “upbeat all the time” CH interview.

  15 spring of 1930 Anne Turkos, Archivist, University of Maryland, email to the author, October 25, 2010.

  16 Near record harvests Turk, Leland, Mississippi: From Hellhole to Beauty Spot, 84.

  17 a four-room house Donald H. Bowman, A History of the Delta Branch Experiment Station, 1904–1985 (Mississippi State University, 1985), 19.

  18 Milk was delivered Turk, Leland, Mississippi: From Hellhole to Beauty Spot, 83.

  19 with Dear and Bobby close at hand An announcement in the December 11 Washington Post indicates that Sarah and Bobby Henson had returned home after being in Leland for “more than a month.” See social page announcements relating to Hyattsville, Washington Post, December 11, 1932.

  20 Paul Ransom Henson, Jr. While many sources, including WAMI, state that Paul Henson, Jr., was two years older than Jim—which would mean he was born in 1934—Paul Henson was born in 1932. Paul’s birth was announced in the November 6, 1932, Washington Post (see social announcements for Hyattsville, Washington Post, November 6, 1932). Further, his obituary in the April 16, 1956, Evening Star gives his age as twenty-three, consistent with a late 1932 birth.

  21 small, sad-eyed boy WAMI, 2.

  22 regular and extended trips For evidence of the Hensons’ frequent visits to Maryland over several months, see “Bridge Is Given for Mary Carr at Hyattsville,” Washington Post, September 30, 1934; “Hyattsville Reception Honors Mrs. Sturgis, Retiring Principal,” Washington Post, October 14, 1934; and “Bridge Is Given by Mrs. Brown at Hyattsville,” Washington Post, January 13, 1935.

  23 thunderstorms still rumbling “Harvesting Season Passes the Peak; Cotton Picking Was Halted in Leland This Week by Scattered Showers,” Leland Enterprise, September 25, 1936.

  24 The following morning The Leland Enterprise of Friday, September 25, 1936, reports, “Mr. and Mrs. Paul Henson are receiving congratulations on the arrival of a son at the Hospital Wednesday.” Given that Wednesday would have been the 23rd, and not the 24th, there may have been some confusion over the date on which Betty Henson entered the hospital
, and when she actually gave birth to Jim. Despite the newspaper’s erroneous report, there is no controversy over Jim’s birth date. The Jim Henson Company Archives contains Betty Henson’s medical records, confirming date and time of birth, birth weight, and attending physician (JHCA 8699).

  25 4012 Tennyson Road The author is grateful to former University Park mayor John Brunner for tracking down this information and providing a copy of the deed for this property. Prior to purchasing the home on Tennyson, the Hensons rented a house on Shepard Street.

  26 a thriving downtown Hyattsville: Our Hometown (City of Hyattsville, 1988), 37–42.

  27 newly established Bureau of Plant Industry “The History of USDA” slide show, http://​www.​ars.​usda.​gov/​Aboutus/​docs.​htm?​docid=​19854.

  28 publishing his findings P. R. Henson, M. A. Hein, M. W. Hazen, and W. H. Black, “Cattle Grazing Experiments with Sericea Lespedeza at Beltsville, Maryland,” Journal of Animal Science 2 (1943): 314–20.

  29 “Jim hardly ever” John Culhane, “The Muppets in Movieland,” New York Times, June 10, 1979.

  30 while he would later cite St. Pierre, 18.

  31 “None of us” Gordon Jones interview.

  32 “there were snakes” Tommy Baggette interview.

  33 “I was a Mississippi Tom Sawyer” Don Freeman, “Muppets on His Hands,” Saturday Evening Post, November 1979.

  34 When pressed Gourse, 48.

  35 “Jimmy Childress was going to be Jimmy” Royall Frazier interview.

  36 a religious survey Turk, Leland, Mississippi: From Hellhole to Beauty Spot, 37.

  37 “Over the years” JH, from the unpublished “The Courage of My Convictions,” circa 1986 (JHCA 16422). In the mid-1980s, Jim was asked to write a short piece for a book on spirituality. Neither the book nor Jim’s five-page piece was published.