Frank Oz | |
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 Oz in 2024 | |
| Born | Frank Richard Oznowicz (1944-05-25)May 25, 1944 (age 81) Hereford,Herefordshire, England |
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| Years active | 1961–present |
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| Children | 4 |
Frank Richard Oznowicz (born May 25, 1944), known professionally asFrank Oz, is a British-born American puppeteer, filmmaker and actor.[1] He is best known for his involvement withJim Henson andGeorge Lucas throughThe Muppets,Sesame Street, andStar Wars, as well as his directorial work in feature films and theater.
The son of puppeteers, Oz worked as an apprentice puppeteer during his teenage years inOakland, California. Despite his interest in journalism, he continued his career as a puppeteer when he was hired bythe Jim Henson Company in 1963, going on to perform several television characters such asMiss Piggy,Fozzie Bear,Animal, andSam Eagle onThe Muppet Show (1976–1981) andCookie Monster,Bert, andGrover onSesame Street from 1969 to 2013.[2] He was hired by Lucas to perform asYoda in theStar Wars film series, beginning withThe Empire Strikes Back (1980) and reprising the role inseven subsequent films and various media for more than four decades.
Oz is also known for his high-profile work as a filmmaker, having directed the filmsThe Dark Crystal (1982),The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984),Little Shop of Horrors (1986),Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988),What About Bob? (1991),The Indian in the Cupboard (1995),In & Out (1997),Bowfinger (1999),The Score (2001),The Stepford Wives (2004), andDeath at a Funeral (2007), as well as an episode ofLeverage (2011).
Oz was born Frank Richard Oznowicz[3] inHereford,Herefordshire on May 25, 1944, the son of Belgian mother Frances (née Ghevaert; 1910–1989) andDutch-Polish father Isadore "Mike" Oznowicz (1916–1998), both of whom werepuppeteers[4] who had moved to England when his father joined theRoyal Netherlands Motorized Infantry Brigade.[5] His mother was anethnically Flemish Catholic and his father wasJewish.[5][6][7][8] Some of his parents' puppets, including one that was made to mockAdolf Hitler, survivedWorld War II and were presented at theContemporary Jewish Museum[9] and theDutch National Archives.[10] His father later worked as a window trimmer.[11][12]
The family left England when Oz was six months old, living in his mother's native Belgium until he was five.[13][14] They then moved to the U.S. and settled inMontana in 1951,[12] before eventually relocating toOakland, California.[11] Oz attendedOakland Technical High School andOakland City College. He worked as an apprentice puppeteer atChildren's Fairyland as a teenager[15] with the Vagabond Puppets, a production of the Oakland Recreation Department, where Lettie Connell was his mentor.[16]
Oz performed as a puppeteer withJim Henson’sMuppets.[17] As a teenager, he worked with the Vagabond Puppets at theChildren's Fairyland of Oakland, which is how he first met Henson.[18][19] He was 19 when he joined Henson in New York to work on the Muppets in 1963.[20] His characters have includedMiss Piggy,Fozzie Bear,[17]Animal, andSam Eagle onThe Muppet Show, andCookie Monster,Bert andGrover onSesame Street.[21]
In addition to performing a variety of characters, Oz was one of the primary collaborators responsible for the development of the Muppets, known most notably for his chemistry with Jim Henson himself, performing in such pairings as:Ernie and Bert; Cookie Monster andKermit the Frog; Kermit and Miss Piggy; Kermit and Fozzie Bear; Kermit and Grover; Ernie and Cookie Monster;Rowlf the Dog and Fozzie Bear; Rowlf and Miss Piggy, andThe Swedish Chef (Henson performed the head and voice, with Oz normally operating the hands). Oz performed as a puppeteer in over 75 productions, includingLabyrinth (as the Wiseman), video releases, andtelevision specials, as well as countless other public appearances, episodes ofSesame Street, and other Jim Henson series. His puppetry work spans from 1963 to the present, although he semi-retired from performing his Muppets characters in 2001 (continuing to perform onSesame Street on a yearly basis through 2012).[22] In 2001 following his retirement, his characters were taken over byEric Jacobson, with the exception of Cookie Monster, who was taken over byDavid Rudman.[23]
Oz explained why he decided on leaving the Muppets in a 2007 interview:
One was that I was a dad, I have four kids. The reason was that I was constantly asked to do stuff. And also, I'd done this for 30 years, and I'd never wanted to be a puppeteer in the first place. I wanted to be a journalist, and really what I wanted to do was direct theatre and direct movies. So it was more a slow progression, working with Jim, but I felt limited. As an actor and a performer, you always feel limited because you're not the source of the creation, and I wanted to be the source. I wanted to be the guy and give my view of the world. And if I screw it up, I screw it up, but at least I tried. And as a director, what you're really showing is you're showing the audience your view of the world ... I've always enjoyed, more than anything else in the world, bringing things to life, whether it's characters or actors in a scene or moments in movies. I've done so much with the puppets, that I'd always wanted to work with actors.[24]
Oz is the performer ofJedi MasterYoda fromGeorge Lucas'Star Wars series. Henson had originally been contacted by Lucas about performing Yoda. Henson was preoccupied, so he suggested Oz be assigned as the chief puppeteer of the character, as well as a creative consultant.[25] Oz performed the puppet and provided the voice for Yoda inThe Empire Strikes Back (1980),Return of the Jedi (1983),Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), andStar Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).[26] DirectorRian Johnson decided to return to using a puppet instead of usingcomputer-generated imagery (CGI) inStar Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), even using the original mold, because he felt CGI would not have worked as it was not true to the Yoda Luke knew inThe Empire Strikes Back (1980).[27] Oz also provided the voice of a CGI Yoda inStar Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) andStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). The conversion to CGI was met with some criticism among fans, but Oz himself said that was "exactly what [Lucas] should have done."[28] Oz voiced Yoda in Disney theme park attractions, includingStar Tours–The Adventures Continue and within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge[29][30] as well as in theStar Wars Rebels episodes "Path of the Jedi" and "Shroud of Darkness".
Oz voiced Yoda in the 2020Oculus Quest virtual reality gameTales from the Galaxy's Edge alongside original C-3PO performerAnthony Daniels.[31]
He directed the 2017 documentaryMuppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched in which he and other Muppet performers discuss working behind the scenes with Jim Henson and the Muppets.[32]
Inspiration as a filmmaker came to Oz upon a viewing of theOrson Welles filmTouch of Evil (1958), the director toldRobert K. Elder in an interview forThe Film That Changed My Life:[33]
"I think it opened up my view of film – that there's so much more that could be done. Actually, by breaking so many rules, he allowed other people to say, 'Hey, I can maybe think of some stuff, too!' He just opened up the possibilities more for me. That's what he did."[34]
Oz began his behind-the-camera work when he co-directed the fantasy filmThe Dark Crystal with long-time collaboratorJim Henson (Oz also puppeteered Aughra and the Skeksis Chamberlain in the film). The film featured the most advanced puppets ever created for a movie.[35] Oz further employed those skills in directing 1984'sThe Muppets Take Manhattan, as well as sharing a screenwriting credit.
In 1986, he directed his first film that did not involve Henson,Little Shop Of Horrors. The musical film starredRick Moranis andEllen Greene, as well asVincent Gardenia,Steve Martin,Bill Murray,John Candy,Christopher Guest,Jim Belushi and a 15-foot-tall talking plant (voiced byLevi Stubbs) which, at its ultimate size, required up to 60 puppeteers to operate. The film allowed Oz to show his ability to work with live actors and led to opportunities to direct films that did not include puppetry.
Usually helming comedic productions, Oz went on to directDirty Rotten Scoundrels in 1988, starring Steve Martin andMichael Caine;What About Bob? in 1991, starring Bill Murray andRichard Dreyfuss; andHousesitter in 1992, starring Steve Martin andGoldie Hawn (all of which were scored byMiles Goodman). Later films includeThe Indian in the Cupboard (1995),In & Out (1997),Bowfinger (1999),The Score (2001), the 2004 remake ofThe Stepford Wives, and the originalDeath at a Funeral (2007).
Oz has frequently experienced on-set tension while directing his films, notably during the productions ofWhat About Bob?,In & Out,The Score andThe Stepford Wives.[13][36][37][38]
In 2016, Oz directed aone-man stage show titledIn & Of Itself starringDerek DelGaudio, which had its world premiere at theGeffen Playhouse on May 16.[39] In April 2017, with the financial backing byNeil Patrick Harris among others, the play began itsOff-Broadway theatrical run, which was initially slated for 10 weeks,[40] but ended up extending its run for 72 weeks. In October 2020, the streaming serviceHulu purchased the rights to a live recording of the play, which debuted on January 22, 2021.[41]
In the late 1980s, Oz was attached to direct a film adaptation ofF. Scott Fitzgerald's 1922 short story "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" forUniversal Pictures, withMartin Short slated to star. Oz dropped out of the project after he could not figure out how to make the story work.[42][43]
Oz was approached by Paramount to direct the 1990 filmGhost after Paramount picked up the project. ScreenwriterBruce Joel Rubin approved of his hiring as he liked his bothLittle Shop of Horrors andDirty Rotten Scoundrels, though Oz would eventually leave the film as he wanted to digitally erase Sam's shadow when he became a ghost, which would've massively inflated the budget.[44]
Oz was also going to direct the 1990 filmMermaids afterLasse Hallström dropped out of the project.[45] However, Oz also left the project due to creative differences and was ultimately replaced byRichard Benjamin.[46] Oz reportedly did not get along withCher, who starred in the film.[47]
It was reported in 1992 that Oz was slated to direct a film adaptation of the musicalDreamgirls forThe Geffen Film Company. Oz also planned to direct an unmade film titledSwing Vote before directingDreamgirls.[48]
In the late 1990s, it was reported that Oz was going to direct eitherSylvester Stallone orBruce Willis in an unmade film titledUmp forMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer.[49][50][51][52]
Oz claimed in a 2007 interview withThe A.V. Club that he turned down the offer to directHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).[53] However, Oz later retracted his statement about turning down the project in a 2021 interview. "No, they didn't offer it to me. They asked me if I was interested. So it wasn't really an offer."[54]
In 2006,Dick Cook hired Oz to write and directThe Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made forWalt Disney Pictures. However, Disney passed on the project in favor ofJason Segel's script for what would becomeThe Muppets following Cook's departure from the studio.[55][56]
In 2013, it was reported that Oz was to directBilly Crystal in an unmade film titledWinter’s Discontent.[57]
As an actor, Oz appeared in one scene as a Corrections Officer inThe Blues Brothers (1980), directed byJohn Landis. He appeared in a similar role and scene inTrading Places (1983), also directed by Landis. He had roles in several other Landis films includingAn American Werewolf in London (1981),Spies Like Us (1985),Innocent Blood (1992), andBlues Brothers 2000 (1998). In 2001, he had a voice acting role in thePixar filmMonsters, Inc. as Randall's scare assistant, Fungus.[58] In 2005, he had a minor part in the Columbia filmZathura as the voice of the robot. He played a lawyer in the 2019 filmKnives Out.
Oz played a surgeon in scenes cut from the theatrical release ofSuperman III.[59] Other cameos includeThe Muppet Movie,The Great Muppet Caper,The Muppets Take Manhattan and several other Jim Henson-related films that did not involve just his puppeteering.
When Oz does not appear in a Landis film, his name is often spoken in the background. During airport scenes inInto the Night andComing to America, there are announcements on the PA system for "Mr. Frank Oznowicz".[60]
Oz married Robin Garsen in 1979 and they divorced in 2005.[11] He marriedVictoria Labalme, performing artist and daughter of historianPatricia Hochschild Labalme and designerGeorge Labalme Jr., in 2011.[5][61] He has four children.[61] He maintained a residence in England for nine years,[14] and lives inManhattan as of 2012.[61]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Muppet Movie | Fozzie Bear Miss Piggy Sam Eagle Animal Marvin Suggs Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice, Also creative consultant |
| 1980 | The Blues Brothers | Corrections officer | Also voice of Elwood's building manager |
| The Empire Strikes Back | Yoda | Puppeteer/Voice | |
| 1981 | The Great Muppet Caper | Fozzie Bear Miss Piggy Sam Eagle Animal Additional characters | |
| An American Werewolf in London | Mr. Collins | ||
| 1982 | The Dark Crystal | Aughra Chamberlain | Puppeteer |
| 1983 | Superman III | Surgeon | Deleted scene |
| Return of the Jedi | Yoda | Puppeteer/Voice | |
| Trading Places | Booking cop | ||
| 1984 | The Muppets Take Manhattan | Fozzie Bear Miss Piggy Sam Eagle Animal Bert Cookie Monster Ocean Breeze Board member Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice |
| 1985 | Spies Like Us | Test proctor | |
| Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird | Cookie Monster Bert Grover | Puppeteer/Voice | |
| 1986 | Labyrinth | The Wiseman | Puppeteer |
| 1991 | Muppet*Vision 3D | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Sam Eagle Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice, Theme park attraction |
| 1992 | Innocent Blood | Pathologist | |
| The Muppet Christmas Carol | Fozzie Bear Miss Piggy Sam Eagle Animal Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice | |
| 1996 | Muppet Treasure Island | Voice | |
| 1998 | Blues Brothers 2000 | Warden | |
| 1999 | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | Yoda | Puppeteer/Voice |
| Muppets from Space | Fozzie Bear Miss Piggy Sam Eagle Animal Additional characters | Voice | |
| The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland | Bert Grover Cookie Monster | Puppeteer/Voice | |
| 2001 | Monsters, Inc. | Jeff Fungus | Voice |
| 2002 | Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones | Yoda | |
| 2005 | Zathura | Robot | |
| Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | Yoda | ||
| 2011 | Star Tours–The Adventures Continue | Voice, Theme park attraction | |
| Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2014 | I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story | ||
| 2015 | Inside Out | Subconscious Guard Dave[62] | Voice |
| Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Yoda[63] | Voice (archive recording)[64] | |
| 2017 | Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched[65] | Himself[66] | Documentary |
| Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Yoda | Puppeteer/Voice | |
| 2019 | Knives Out | Alan Stevens | |
| Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Yoda | Voice only | |
| 2021 | Echoes of Violence | Dante | |
| 2024 | Inside Out 2 | Mind Cop Dave | Voice[67] |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The Dark Crystal | Co-directed withJim Henson |
| 1984 | The Muppets Take Manhattan | Also writer |
| 1986 | Little Shop of Horrors | ADR Voice |
| 1988 | Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | |
| 1991 | What About Bob? | |
| 1992 | Housesitter | |
| 1995 | The Indian in the Cupboard | |
| 1997 | In & Out | |
| 1999 | Bowfinger | |
| 2001 | The Score | |
| 2004 | The Stepford Wives | |
| 2007 | Death at a Funeral | |
| 2017 | Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched | Documentary |
| 2020 | Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969–2013 | Sesame Street | Bert Grover Cookie Monster Lefty the Salesman Harvey Kneeslapper Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice, Regularly until 2001, however, he continued to perform his characters a few times a year until 2013. |
| 1975–1976 | Saturday Night Live | The Mighty Favog | Puppeteer/VoiceThe Land of Gorch segments |
| 1976–1981 | The Muppet Show | Fozzie Bear Miss Piggy Sam Eagle Animal Marvin Suggs George the Janitor Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice |
| 1977 | Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas | Alice Otter (puppetry) Chuck Stoat (puppetry and voice) | Puppeteer/Voice, Television film |
| 1989 | The Jim Henson Hour | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear | Puppeteer/Voice |
| 1990 | The Muppets at Walt Disney World | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Animal | |
| 1994 | Jim Henson's Animal Show | Sam Eagle | Voice, Episode: "Bald Eagle" |
| 1996–1998 | Muppets Tonight | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Sam Eagle Animal Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice |
| 1999 | CinderElmo | Bert Grover Cookie Monster | Voice, Television film |
| 2015–2016 | Star Wars Rebels | Yoda | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | StoryBots: Answer Time | Dink | Voice, 5 episodes |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Funkhousers | Television film |
| 2011 | Leverage | Episode: "The Carnival Job" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Muppet Treasure Island | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Sam Eagle | Voice |
| The Muppet CDROM: Muppets Inside | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Animal Sam Eagle Marvin Suggs | ||
| 2000 | Muppet Monster Adventure | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear | |
| Muppet RaceMania | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Sam Eagle Animal | ||
| 2020 | Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge | Yoda | |
| 2021 | Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge – Last Call |
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I was asked to direct, like, the second Harry Potter and things like that, but I have no interest.
| Preceded by None | Performer of Cookie Monster 1969–2001 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Bert andPerformer of Grover 1969–1998 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Marvin Suggs 1976–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Miss Piggy 1976–2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Animal 1975–2000 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Sam the Eagle 1975–2000 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by None | Performer of Fozzie Bear 1976–2000 | Succeeded by |
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