The Muppets are a beloved crew of colorful creatures, brought to life by a bunch of hippies with ridiculously deft hands.
Jim Henson first conceived of the Muppets in the early 1970s, and was often met with confusion and bewilderment by Hollywood. But in 1975, Kermit and his crew were quickly established as American icons. See the hard work behind the wires, with puppeteers diving in lakes, laying down in the dirt, and spending hours on their knees with their arms shoved up fabric, all to make the beloved Muppet classics we all grew up with.
Go behind the scenes with some of the most famous puppeteers in the game.
1
Jim Henson handling Kermit
The Muppet Show, 1970s
2
Richard Hunt, Jim Henson, and Frank Oz, handling Bert and Ernie
Sesame Street 1970s
3
Richard Hunt, Scooter and Liza Minnelli
The Muppet Show, 1979
4
Cast and crew of the Muppet Show
1970s
5
Carol Spinney in his Big Bird legs
Big Bird in China, 1983
6
Steve Whitmire with Rizzo the Rat
1980
7
Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat
The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992
8
Jim Henson and puppeteers handling a train
Sesame Street, 1970s
9
Elton John and Miss Piggy
The Muppet Show, 1978
10
D Cavett with Jim Henson and Muppet Jim
1973
11
Kermit, Jim Henson, Scooter, Richard Hunt at the Academy Awards
1986
12
Jim Henson with an early version of Ernie
Sesame Street, 1970s
13
Louise Gold and Jim Henson with Kermit and Miss Piggy
The Muppet Show, 1970s
14
Jim Henson being filmed
The Muppet Show Season 1, 1974
15
Jim Henson behind the scenes
The Muppet Show, 1970s
16
The Muppet Show puppeteers
The Muppet Show Season 1, 1974
17
Michael Caine, Miss Piggy and Kermit
The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992
18
Muppet crew between takes
The Muppet Movie, 1978
19
Jim Henson on a dolly car with Kermit
The Muppet Movie, 1978
20
Jim Henson, crew and Kermit in a lake
The Muppet Movie, 1978
