Jim Henson's key collaborator and one of the original Muppet performers, Jerry Nelson's life and work will be celebrated on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in cooperation with The Jim Henson Legacy and Museum of the Moving Image. Mr. Nelson passed away on August 23, 2012 at his home in Truro, Massachusetts.
The program at the Museum will feature remembrances and video clips celebrating the life and work of the long-time Henson collaborator best known for his character Count von Count, a mainstay on
Sesame Street since 1970. On the popular Henson television series
Fraggle Rock, he performed Gobo Fraggle, the leader of the Fraggle five; Marjory the Trash Heap and Pa Gorg. Kermit's nephew Robin, Lew Zealand and Sgt. Floyd Pepper are just a few of the many characters he brought to life on
The Muppet Show. Special guests participating in the event include
Bill Barretta,
Fran Brill, and Dave Goelz.
"
Jerry Nelson was a beloved member of
Jim Henson's creative family," said Carl Goodman, the Museum's Executive Director. "We are honored to be working with The
Jim Henson Legacy on this public celebration of his important work."
"Almost from the beginning, Jerry's extraordinary contribution to the Muppets was welcomed and appreciated by Jim. Adored by his fellow performers, respected by puppeteers worldwide, Jerry's life and work in puppetry will forever be remembered and valued," said Bonnie Erickson, Executive Director, The Jim Henson Legacy. Tickets for A Tribute to Jerry Nelson are free with Museum admission and will be available first-come, first-served on the day of the event. Museum members may reserve tickets in advance. To find out about Museum membership and to join, visit http://movingimage.us/support/membership.Museum of the Moving Image (movingimage.us) advances the understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media. In January 2011, the Museum reopened after a major expansion and renovation that nearly doubled its size. Accessible, innovative, and forward-looking, the Museum presents exhibitions, education programs, significant moving-image works, and interpretive programs, and maintains a collection of moving-image related artifacts.
The Jim Henson Legacy is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Jim Henson's contributions to the worlds of puppetry, television and motion pictures, special effects and media technology. More information at http://www.jimhensonlegacy.org.
