Jim Henson began working with puppets as a college student, creating the showSam and Friends in 1955 for a local Washington, D.C. television station. The energetic Muppets soon became a popular fixture, and led to appearances on national variety shows. Henson's commercials for a local coffee company, Wilkins Coffee, were so popular that he was hired to create similar commercials around the country. In the early 1960s, Henson moved to New York City to work on a variety of projects, including a regular guest spot onThe Jimmy Dean Show for the first Muppet star,Rowlf the Dog.

In 1969, Henson was invited to participate in a ground-breaking educational show for television,Sesame Street. Initially, the Muppets were meant to be just one element among many on the show -- but the popularity ofBig Bird,Oscar the Grouch,Cookie Monster,Grover,Ernie andBert soon made the Muppets the core of the show. Over the years, the Muppet cast has grown to includeMr. Snuffleupagus,Count von Count,Telly Monster,Rosita,Baby Bear,Zoe,Abby Cadabby, and of course, the international superstarElmo, who starred in his own segment,Elmo's World.

In 1976, Henson created his signature project --The Muppet Show, a weekly prime-time variety show filled with songs, sketches and talented guest stars.Kermit the Frog is the charming and mostly unflappable host, presiding over a motley crew of performers, including divaMiss Piggy, hopeful comedianFozzie Bear, daredevil performance artistGonzo, young eager goferScooter, and the house band,Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.The Muppet Show was a huge international success, making unlikely stars out ofthe Swedish Chef,Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistantBeaker,Sam the Eagle, and the two old cranks in the balcony,Statler and Waldorf.

The Muppet Show cast has continued to entertain audiences for over 30 years, spinning off into a popular series of movies, includingThe Muppet Movie,The Great Muppet Caper,The Muppets Take Manhattan,The Muppet Christmas Carol, andMuppet Treasure Island.

In the 1980s, Henson created new worlds -- the magical underground civilization ofFraggle Rock, the imagination-filled nursery ofMuppet Babies, and the fantasy worlds ofThe Dark Crystal andLabyrinth. Henson's work has continued to live on beyond his death in 1990, and new productions featuring his creations are always in progress.

This wiki is dedicated to documenting, exploring and enjoying the enormous body of work that Jim Henson has created and inspired.

Currently...

The Muppets: 70 Years

Sesame Street Season 55

Labyrinth: In Concert

Labyrinth graphic adaptation

Upcoming...

Sesame Street NECA figures

Fraggle Rock figures

Sam and Friends Script Book

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Before You Leap audiobook

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live

Recently...

The Dark Crystal expanded CD

Sesame Street comics

Muppet Christmas Carol pet toys

Jim Henson: Idea Man

Back to the Rock season 2