Henson, Jim, 1936-1990

James Maury Henson, better known as Jim Henson, (b. September 24, 1936, Greenville, Mississippi–d. May 16, 1990, New York, New York), American puppeteer, artist, cartoonist, inventor, screenwriter, film director and producer who achieved international fame as the creator of the Muppets. He began developing puppets while attending high school, then while he was a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, he created Sam and Friends, a five-minute sketch-comedy puppet show that appeared on television. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in home economics, he produced coffee advertisements and developed some experimental films. Henson founded Muppets Inc. in 1958, which would later become the Jim Henson Company. Henson earned fame in the 1960s when he joined Sesame Street, where he helped develop the characters for the series. He won particular fame for his creation of Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, and Ernie. We was a winner of many awards including several Emmy Awards.