Hollywood, CA (March 15, 2005) –
This year marks the 50 th anniversary of The Jim Henson Company and plans are underway to celebrate this milestone at local events around the country and with new projects for the millions of viewers who have been inspired by the organization’s work and the vision of its founder.
In 1955, Jim Henson premiered his first show, Sam & Friends on Washington DC’s WRC-TV, revolutionizing puppetry on television and redefining family entertainment. From that small beginning, a diverse string of the highest quality productions, thousands of memorable characters and cutting-edge technologies became the standard for the business that bears Henson’s name and continues his legacy.
“My father was an inspiration to those around him – always challenging himself and others to be innovative and imaginative,” said Brian Henson co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “His principles continue to be the foundation for our company and have allowed us to push the boundaries in creativity and technology.”
“The Jim Henson Company has for decades been a prolific source of unique and fantastical projects of all kinds,” said Lisa Henson co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “The 50 th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the many different types of projects created here and celebrate their universal appeal with our fans.”
Throughout 2005, The Jim Henson Company will reach out to various communities around the US as well as several international outlets to honor the company’s continued mission to “make the world a better place by inspiring people to celebrate life.” The kick off for these plans will be at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival ( www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com) on Saturday, April 23 rd, where two of Henson’s classic fantasy films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth will screen at Edwards Island 7 Cinemas in Fashion Island along with a collection of short pieces by Jim Henson. Originally released in 1982 and 1986 respectively, the two innovative features were well ahead of their time in technical achievements for visual effects and have remained favorites for audiences around the world.
About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. The Company is currently in production on Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix and the feature film The Portable Door. Henson’s most recent television credits include Slumberkins, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Harriet the Spy and Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, all for Apple TV+, Word Party Presents: Math! for Netflix, Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time for discovery+, Earth to Ned for Disney+, and the Emmy®-winning Netflix Original series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Other TV productions include Word Party (Netflix), Dinosaur Train (PBS), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Sid the Science Kid (PBS), and Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), as well as Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, and the sci-fi series Farscape. Feature film credits include The Star (Sony Pictures Animation), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Disney), and the groundbreaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and post-production facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative credits include The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Netflix), the feature film The Happytime Murders, and the popular live puppet improvisational show Puppet-Up! – Uncensored.
Contact
Nicole Goldman
The Jim Henson Company
ngoldman@henson.com
323.802.1608
