Buzz
Puppetry, an art form with roots tracing back to ancient Greece, flourished through the Middle Ages with characters like Punch and Judy. While many early puppeteers remain unnamed, the advent of film and television brought this timeless craft to global audiences. The 20th century's puppeteers not only gained widespread recognition but also left behind a legacy that continues to captivate audiences today.
1. Bil Baird
It’s understandable if Bil Baird isn’t a household name, but his contributions to puppetry are monumental. Pictured with his iconic lion, Charlemane, Baird launched the Baird Marionettes in 1934, debuting at the Chicago World’s Fair. His work spanned traveling shows, films, television, and even a decade-long marionette theater in New York. Baird’s creations also became a staple in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for years. Even if his name isn’t familiar, chances are you’ve encountered one of his remarkable productions.
Bil Baird, alongside his wife Cora Eisenberg, masterfully crafted “The Lonely Goatherd” sequence in the 1965 classic The Sound of Music. That same year, Baird released his influential book, The Art of the Puppet. Around this period, the couple established their New York theater, but tragedy struck when Cora passed away in 1967. Baird persevered, dedicating himself to marionette artistry until his death in 1987.
2. Burr Tillstrom
Burr Tillstrom, a pioneering puppeteer, brought to life the beloved TV show Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, which aired from 1947 to 1957. Kukla and Ollie, a dragon puppet, were joined by Fran Allison, who engaged with the puppets in an entirely unscripted format. The show’s improvisational charm captivated both young and adult audiences. The “Kuklapolitans” ensemble, excluding Fran, later starred in Burr Tillstrom's Kukla and Ollie during the 1960s. The puppets returned in subsequent series in 1970 and 1975, after which Tillstrom took his act on the road, performing live shows. He remained dedicated to his craft until his passing in 1985.
3. Edgar Bergen
Ventriloquism, a unique form of puppetry, involves the puppeteer interacting with their puppet in plain sight, creating the illusion of independent speech. Edgar Bergen, the 20th century’s most renowned ventriloquist, mastered this art on his own. His most famous puppet, Charlie McCarthy, became his lifelong companion. Bergen’s daughter, actress Candice Bergen, was often humorously referred to as "Charlie McCarthy's sister" during her childhood. Among his other notable dummies was Mortimer Snerd, a rustic character. Bergen began in vaudeville and later starred in film shorts. Surprisingly, his radio show, The Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Show, brought him immense fame, running for two decades. You can still enjoy their performances at the Internet Archive. Bergen later introduced his talents to television, captivating new audiences.
4. Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis, a gifted ventriloquist, became so skilled that she is primarily celebrated as a puppeteer. Children who watched her performances often didn’t realize she was the voice behind her beloved puppet, Lamb Chop. Born Phyllis Hurwitz, Lewis honed her talents as a versatile entertainer, mastering dance, piano, violin, magic, juggling, and ventriloquism. Her breakthrough came in 1952 when she won first prize on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. Lewis later hosted local TV programs and gained national fame after appearing on The Captain Kangaroo Show in 1956. Her own series, The Shari Lewis Show, debuted in 1960, featuring puppets like Hush Puppy, Charlie Horse, and Wing Ding, though Lamb Chop remained the star. The show ran until 1963, after which Lewis continued to perform on British and American TV, as well as live shows, showcasing her talents as an actress, puppeteer, and musician. After her passing in 1998, her daughter Mallory carried on her legacy with Lamb Chop.
5. Señor Wences
Born Wenceslao Moreno in Spain, Señor Wences was a multi-talented entertainer best known for his ventriloquism. He often skipped traditional puppets, instead using his hand as a character. By drawing eyes on his knuckle and moving his thumb to mimic speech, he brought to life a character named Johnny. Wences became a frequent guest on The Ed Sullivan Show, appearing 48 times, and also starred in other TV programs during the 1950s and 1960s. He lived an extraordinary life, passing away at the age of 103.
6. Supermarionation
While not a puppeteer, the mid-1960s marionette productions by AP Films are noteworthy. Several 1960s children’s TV shows utilized a technique called Supermarionation, developed by the British company AP Films. This method involved equipping marionettes with sensors that synchronized head and mouth movements with pre-recorded dialogue, transmitted through fine wire “strings.” The technique was featured in series like Thunderbirds, Fireball XL-5, Stingray, and Supercar. It was humorously parodied in the 2004 film Team America: World Police, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
7. Fred Rogers
Before becoming the iconic host of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Fred Rogers was a minister and songwriter with a passion for puppetry. His early TV show had no budget, so he took on multiple roles, writing scripts, crafting puppets, and performing and voicing them himself.
8. and 9. Jim Henson and Frank Oz
The legacy of earlier puppeteers paved the way for Jim Henson, who became the most adored puppeteer of all time. Henson’s first show, Sam and Friends, introduced Kermit, a puppet who would become his lifelong companion and alter ego. Kermit and other “Muppets” gained national attention through commercials for brands like Watkins Coffee. Rowlf the Dog, another Muppet, became a regular on The Jimmy Dean Show, and the Muppets made numerous appearances on variety shows.
In 1963, Henson brought Frank Oz on board after his wife stepped back to focus on raising their family. Oz, who grew up in a family of puppeteers (his parents were part of the Dutch Brigades that resisted the Nazis), honed his craft early, performing with his family as part of the Oznowicz Family Marionettes. His collaboration with Henson endured until Henson’s passing. Oz brought life to iconic characters like Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Bert. He also operated and voiced Yoda in three Star Wars films, later providing the character’s voice in CGI-animated movies. Unlike others on this list, Oz remains a celebrated puppeteer well into the 21st century.
The Muppets’ roster grew with new characters for Sesame Street in 1968, as Henson wanted to avoid limiting his core characters to children’s programming. Kermit was the sole exception. The Muppets appeared in the first season of Saturday Night Live in 1975 but were ultimately deemed unsuitable for the show. The Muppet Show, which aired from 1976 to 1981, became the prime-time platform for the Muppets’ more mature humor. Henson’s legacy expanded with shows like Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies, The Jim Henson Hour, and a series of Muppet-led feature films. Henson passed away in 1990 at 53 due to a rapidly progressing bacterial infection.
