Jim Henson Net Worth

Jim Henson's Quotes

• When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope still is to leave the world a little bit better for my having been here. It's a wonderful life and I love it.
• Despite this discussion of things spiritual - I still think of myself as a very 'human' being. I have the full complement of weaknesses, fears, problems, ego, and sensuality. But I think this is why we're here - to work our way through all this, and, hopefully, come out a bit wiser and better for having gone through it all.
• I believe in taking a positive attitude toward the world, toward people, toward my work. I think I'm here for a purpose. I think it's very likely that we all are, but I'm only sure about myself. I try to tune myself in to whatever it is that I'm supposed to be, and I try to think of myself as a part of all of us - all mankind and all life. I find it's not easy to keep these lofty thoughts in mind as the day goes by, but it certainly helps me a great deal to start out this way.
• I believe that life is basically a process of growth - that we go through many lives, choosing situations and problems that we will learn through.
• I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best. I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked out for me.

Interesting Facts about Jim Henson

1. Died a few days before the weekend he was going to sell his company to Disney, for a reported $150 million. Henson actually planned to give a good deal of the proceeds to the Muppet performers, employees of the Henson company and longtime associates. The sale would have also included a number of lucrative provisions for Henson. Besides the lump sum of cash, Henson would receive a fifteen year production deal with Disney which would have included feature films and television specials, casting power over the Muppet performers, veto power over the use of Kermit the Frog and an entire area of the Disney-MGM Studios theme park devoted to the Muppet characters. Disney Imagineers had granted Henson design input for the area, which would have also included several new attractions and shows.
2. Attended the University of Maryland, College Park
3. Attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland.
4. Named Kermit the Frog after a childhood friend from Mississippi.
5. Shares same birthday (September 24) with Steve Whitmire, fellow muppeteer who took over Kermit the Frog after Henson's death.
6. Father of Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, Heather Henson, Cheryl Henson and John Henson.
7. Founded the "UNIMA Citations of Excellence" in 1973 to provide a peer-judged award for the art of puppetry in North America. In 1966, Jim Henson had previously founded (with other American puppeteers) the USA chapter of the Union Internationale de la Marionette (UNIMA) - the world's oldest international theatre arts organization, and served as the USA Chapter's founding chaiman.
8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) was dedicated to his memory.
9. One of the main reasons why Henson preferred to use Kermit the Frog for his signature character was that he was the lightest in weight of the regular puppets and therefore one of the most comfortable for use for extended periods of time.
10. Created the original Kermit the Frog out of his mother's old coat and a ping-pong ball. In the beginning Kermit was not a frog, but a lizard-like character. He gradually evolved, and first appeared as Kermit The Frog in Hey Cinderella! (1969) and has remained so ever since.
11. Died the same day as Sammy Davis Jr..
12. Had been ill with walking pneumonia for several days before his death but never told anybody, not even his family, because, true to his character, he didn't want to be a burden to anybody. By the time he finally sought medical help, it was too late to do anything.
13. Was a good friend of George Lucas, who originally offered him the role of Yoda in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980). He declined and suggested Frank Oz for the part.
14. His funeral at St. John the Divine in New York was attended by over 1,000 people and Muppets, including Frank Oz, George Lucas, Richard Curtis, Kermit the Frog, and Lord Lew Grade.
15. Harry Belafonte sang the much beloved song "Turn the World Around" from The Muppet Show (1976) at Jim's funeral. It was reported to be his favorite.
16. Was pictured on a USA 37¢ commemorative stamp issued 28 September 2005, which was issued on a single souvenir sheet honoring "Jim Henson, the man behind the Muppets". The souvenir sheet contained 10 additional 37¢ stamps featuring the following Muppet characters: Kermit the Frog; 'Fozzie Bear'; Sam the Eagle; Miss Piggy; Steve Whitmire & Dave Goelz; The Swedish Chef; Animal; Dave Goelz & Beaker; Rowlf; and Dave Goelz & Camilla.
17. Before his career in puppetry, he would experiment with 8mm and 16mm film, often making animation.
18. First met Jerry Juhl at a Puppeteers Of America convention.
19. First met David Lazer when he had been contracted to make a few short puppet films for them. Lazer worked at IBM.
20. A Jim Henson retrospective was held from September 1990 to February 1991 at London's Museum of the Moving Image.