Jerry Juhl, a pioneering figure in the world of puppetry, joined Jim Henson Company in 1961 as its first full-time employee, following a chance encounter with Henson at a convention for puppeteers.
The company, in its early days, cleverly coined the term "Muppet," a portmanteau of the words "marionette" and "puppet," and went on to create a series of humorous skits that parodied television news programs.
Juhl's extensive career with the company began with his work on Jim Henson's first television show, Sam and Friends, in 1955, where he served as a puppeteer. He later spent six years as a writer for the iconic children's program Sesame Street, which premiered in 1969.
As a writer for Sesame Street, Juhl had the privilege of creating scripts for some of the show's most beloved characters, including the Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Elmo, Bert, Ernie, and The Count. He also developed the concept for SuperGrover, a superhero alter ego for Grover, and received two Emmy Awards for his work on the show.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Juhl served as the head writer for The Muppet Show, a popular variety program that aired from 1976 to 1981. He was also the writer and creative producer of Fraggle Rock, a critically acclaimed children's series that premiered on HBO in 1983 and ran for four years.
Juhl's wife was also a key member of the Fraggle Rock team, serving as a writer and script editor for the show. Throughout his career, Juhl's work has been marked by his creativity, wit, and dedication to his craft, leaving a lasting impact on the world of puppetry and children's entertainment.
