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Henson named most influential of this century

By Phillip Chapman
Courtesy of Time Magazine
May 31, 1998

Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, was listed by Time Magazine today as being among the century's 20 top artists and entertainers.  The magazine is compiling a list of the 100 most influential figures of the 20th century.

Here are some significant comments from the article.

Jim Henson can be credited with many accomplishments: he had the most profound influence on children of any entertainer of his time; he adapted the ancient art of puppetry to the most modern of mediums, television, transforming both; he created a TV show that was one of the most popular on earth. But Henson's greatest achievement was broader than any of these. Through his work, he helped sustain the qualities of fancifulness, warmth and consideration that have been so threatened by our coarse, cynical age.

... Since Sesame Street has been on the air for 30 years and has been shown in scores of countries, Henson's Muppets have entranced hundreds of millions of children. And the audience for the Muppets has not only been huge; it has also been passionate. In fact, given the number of his fans and the intensity of their devotion, Kermit may possibly be the leading children's character of the century, more significant than even Peter Pan or Winnie-the-Pooh.

It is ironic that Walt Disney did not make the top 20.  This only exemplifies how much respect is out there for the work and genius that belonged to Jim.  It is another testimony of how many lives have been influenced by Jim Henson.

You can read the full article from Time Magazine in our Jim Henson Tribute Section.