A man who kept his humanity at the heart of it all, beloved puppeteer **Jim Henson** (1936–1990) was born on this day in Greenville, Mississippi. He coined the name Muppets as a blend of "marionettes" and "puppets."

Henson began puppeteering in 1954 on a local TV show in Washington, D.C. “Take what you have and fly with it!” he once said. He believed puppets needed life and sensitivity to truly connect.

In 1969, he joined Sesame Street, bringing unforgettable characters like Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster into our hearts. These beloved Muppets taught us with music, wit, and the spirit of joy.

“Television is basically teaching whether you want it to or not,” he once noted of the medium’s power.

In 1976, he launched The Muppet Show, followed by classic films like The Muppet Movie and The Dark Crystal. His remarkable vision transformed television and movies for generations.

“He was our era’s Charlie Chaplin, Mae West, W.C. Fields, and the Marx Brothers,” said *Sesame Street* creator Joan Ganz Cooney. “Indeed, he drew from all of them to create a new art form that influenced popular culture around the world.”

Jim Henson was a visionary with a generous heart. His creative universe spoke to children and adults, reminding us that kindness, imagination, and curiosity matter.

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