Jim Henson

Birth Name: James Maury Henson

Date of Birth: September 24, 1936

Place of Birth: Greenville, Mississippi, U.S.

Date of Death: May 16, 1990

Place of Death: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, German, Scottish, distant Welsh and Dutch

Jim Henson was an American puppeteer, animator, creative producer, and director. He created The Muppets, many of whom he puppeteered during their early decades. He directed the films The Great Muppet Caper and Labyrinth (1986), and co-directed the film The Dark Crystal; as well as directed and wrote the short film Time Piece, and directed the 3D attraction Muppet*Vision 3D, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Working in television shows, he co-created, and was a director and writer for, Sam and Friends; was a director and writer on Sesame Street; created, and was a writer for, The Muppet Show; created, and was a director for, Fraggle Rock, which he also wrote for; The Storyteller, and The Jim Henson Hour; and created Muppet Babies, Little Muppet Monsters, and Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series. He also directed and co-wrote the teleplay The Cube; created and directed the television specials Hey, Cinderella!, The Frog Prince (1971), The Muppet Musicians of Bremen, and The Muppets Valentine Show; created the special The Muppets on Puppets; created and was a writer for the special The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence; directed the special Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas; and co-directed the specials The Tale of the Bunny Picnic and The Earth Day Special.

Jim was the son of Elizabeth/Betty Marcella (Brown) and Paul Ransom Henson, an agronomist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His father was born in Wichita, Kansas, or in Oklahoma. His mother was born in Washington, D.C. Jim had deep American roots, back to the 1600s. He was raised in Leland, Mississippi, then University Park, Maryland, near Washington, and later Bethesda, MD. He was raised a Christian Scientist.

Jim was married to puppeteer Jane Henson (born Jane Ann Nebel), with whom he co-founded Muppets, Inc. The couple had five children, television and film producer Lisa Henson; puppet builder and philanthropist Cheryl Henson; puppeteer and filmmaker Brian Henson, who has been chairman of The Jim Henson Company; puppeteer John Henson; and contemporary puppet artist Heather Henson. Lisa is married to illustrator and animator Dave Pressler. Brian is married to actress Mia Sara.

Jim’s paternal grandfather was Albert Gordon Henson (the son of Albert Henson and Eustacia “Stacey” Bounds). Jim’s grandfather Albert was born in Center Township, Atchison County, Kansas. Jim’s great-grandfather Albert was born in Richmond, Madison, Kentucky, the son of Andrew Henson, whose father was Scottish; and of Sarah Roach. Eustacia was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, the daughter of Obediah W. Bounds and Nancy Lovelady.

Jim’s paternal grandmother was Effie Carrie Barnes (the daughter of Ransom Aaron Barnes and Araminta/Aramintia Dalton). Effie was born in Center Township, Atchison, Kansas. Ransom was born in Middlesex County, New Jersey, the son of Asa Barnes and Harriet W. Cook. Araminta was born in Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, the daughter of Richmond Dalton, whose mother was Scottish; and of Priscilla Hahn.

Jim’s maternal grandfather was Maury Heady “Pop” Brown (the son of Marcellus Brown and Mary Frances Bedford). Maury was born in Kentucky. Marcellus was the son of John Brown and Sarah Eastburn. Mary was born in Nelson County, Kentucky, the daughter of Asa Kentucky Lewis Bedford and Davidella Ware.

Jim’s maternal grandmother was Sarah “Dear” Hinrichs (the daughter of Oscar Hinrichs and Mary Stanley). Sarah was born in New York. Oscar was born in Prussia, Germany, and was an engineer and cartographer. Mary was born in Maryland, the daughter of The Rev. Harvey Stanley and Mary Anne Kinney.

Sources: Genealogies of Jim Henson – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com