Bill Prady (co-creator of The Big Bang Theory): I began writing while working for Henson, so his impact on my life is profound. Lesson: write what truly amuses you--not others. I began my writing career at the Muppets. There's not a day that goes by when I don't miss Jim. Happy birthday, boss.
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Chris Hardwick, The Nerdist (via Twitter): Happy 75th Bday JIM HENSON!! Your indelible mark on our souls will live on forever.
Kelly Tindall: Is it too negative to say that I'd sacrifice every person from every reality show to a volcano for one more hour of Jim Henson T.V.?
Elizabeth Leary: Funny how someone you never met can have such an impact on you. No idea where I'd be/what I'd be doing without Jim Henson.
Jacqueline Yatko: He made believe there will always be a child in each of us no matter what age we are.
Stephen Christy (Editor-in-Chief of Archaia Comics): Working on Jim Henson's Tale of Sand has been almost a spiritual experience. We are definitely trying to channel Jim's creativity.
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Lucas Ross: He got into my head at an early age and has a thumbprint on all I do now. I even named my oldest son "Henson." for real. I tried for Kermit, but didn't fly.
Jonathan Melville: I've realized from Jim that I need to be more creative, mediocre isn't an option. Not sure I've succeeded, but I'm trying!
Dave Hulteen, Jr (Muppet Fan Artist): Today would have been Jim Henson's 75th birthday, the most influential person to me who has inspired my art.
James V. Carrol (Muppet Fan Artist): At five years old, my parents took me to see the theatrical debut of The Muppet Movie and it greatly impacted my life. I remember everything about that day. The illusion was so real that I actually believed the Swedish Chef broke the projector in the middle of the movie. Most people mistake becoming rich and famous as the goal of the film, but it’s about sharing your journey with other likeminded individuals who may be very different in every other aspect of their lives. That kind of positivity, no matter what the challenge, is how I always think of Jim Henson and is only a fraction of what his work continues to mean in my life.
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Ryan Dosier: I was born after Jim Henson was gone. The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson aired a month after I was born. I love the fact that Muppet stuff continued and has continued all thanks to the legacy Jim Henson left us. We miss you, Jim. Thank you for leaving us your legacy so that we can carry it on in your memory. You inspire me every day, Jim Henson. I hope to do your legacy proud.
Jerry Nelson (Muppet Performer): The first time I saw Jim Henson was 1956 at WOR. The NBC affiliate in the basement of the the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. I had just returned from military service and was working as a Page delivering mail and Tele-taped news updates to the newsroom and various departments of the station. He and Jane were rehearsing for that evening's show of Sam and Friends. Little did I know then that nine years later my life would be so intricately tied to the Muppets for so much of my career. A blessing that gave me the opportunity, though I did not know it at the time, to put into practice what I had trained for all of my life; to dance, sing, and play in the company of so many talented people. I thank my lucky stars Jim saw that potential in me when I finally met him in New York City.
On Jim Henson’s 75th birthday, we’re reflecting on what his life meant to us with a personal thank you. Our experiences are both solo and shared as brothers.
GENE: Jim made a tremendous impact on me early on. When I was 10, my cousin Gary and I discovered Bert and Ernie on TV--suddenly the world of puppetry came alive for us. I had to be very careful not to tell my junior high classmates I was watching Sesame Street. Eventually, we introduced my younger brother Billy to it and look where that led!
GENE & BILL: For many years after that, we, along with Gary, made frequent trips to the foam and fabric shop where we bought supplies to make our own "Muppets." There was an occasional puppet show at the Katzenbach School for the Deaf, thanks to one of their teachers, our Aunt Kathy. The shows were important to us, but making the puppets and fantasizing about what it might be like to one day work with Jim Henson was what it was all about.
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GENE: My first official encounter with Jim Henson was at age fourteen. I was not shy about sending him a fan letter to ask how he made his Muppets. It must have been his calm and generous demeanor that made me think it was ok to approach him. Not long after, guess what arrived in the mail? Not only a personal letter from Jim, but also a set of instructions on how to make Muppets! Would you expect anything else? That letter survived many decades in a ragged portfolio and is now hanging in my studio.
GENE & BILL: We were in his company three times after that. Once briefly when he showed up at Sesame Place, where we were working as summer employees alongside his son, Brian. A few years later we spent more time with Jim in his NY apartment during a visit with Brian. And our final honor was attending his memorial service in 1990.
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GENE: I know that he made an impact on me because I think about him often–especially when I am working on one of my children’s books. My manner with children was strongly influenced by watching Jim speak with them. I emphasize the word "with." He put children at ease when they were in his presence. He initiated a dialogue based on mutual respect. He made them feel as though he had nowhere more important to be during those moments. I strive to follow his lead.
BILL: And I guess I am following his lead as well. I’m always honored and amazed that I get to perform a few of Jim’s characters. As a kid, and growing up, his characters seemed to jump out at me more than any others. The types of voices he created along with the pure and crazy, playful personas that went along with them, is something that feels close to me as a performer.
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BILL: I actually prefer that my inner child take over. He’s so much smarter and more fearless than me. Still searching for the balance I guess.
GENE & BILL: Finally, now that we both have a child, we hope to follow his lead as a parent. Look at his legacy. Jim and Jane raised five remarkable children. Speak with any of them and its clear that they experienced an inspired childhood filled with valuable life lessons. So, thank you, Jim. The best way to really thank you is to remain creative. And we will.
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Well, now that I have been all schmaltzy, I am going to go throw some Boomerang Fish. Just for the Halibut.
Do you wanna throw fish with Chase? Find him on Twitter @chasebeecher or at facebook.com/chasebeecher
The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com