Jim Henson

Jim Henson grew up in rural Mississippi and had a boyhood passion for drawing and building and an admiration for ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. When Jim’s dad was reassigned from Mississippi to Maryland in 1948, 12-year old Jim became attracted to the new medium of television — kindling his desire to work in the industry.

Family members, friends and close colleagues recount the events leading up to Jim Henson’s shocking, sudden death on May 16, 1990 of organ failure resulting from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. An emotional memorial service was held five days later at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Follow Jim Henson’s career, from his early television work with the Muppets in the 1950s to his commercial work and network appearances, his breakthrough with Sesame Street and “The Muppet Show,” his fantasy films and his sudden death in 1990.