Puppeteer

A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object to create the illusion of life. A puppeteer can operate a puppet either by the use of strings, rods, wires or simply their own hands. Some puppet styles require puppeteers to work in teams to create a single character.

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There are a broad range of styles of puppetry that require puppeteers. There are shadow puppets, rod puppets, Marrionettes, Table-top puppets, body puppets, Hand or glove puppets, etc. Whatever the style, the puppeteer's role is to use manipulate the physical object in such a manner that the audience believes the object is imbued with life.

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Two of the most famous modern puppeteers are Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Their work has entertained children for decades on the popular Sesame Street, and The Muppet Show television series. (The puppets used by these puppeteers are usually called Muppets).

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Henson and Oz also frequently worked in film, including directing and puppeteer work in the 1982 film The Dark Crystal and the 1986 film Labyrinth. Oz is also well known for his work with the puppet of Yoda in the popular Star Wars movie series and as a director of movies such as the musical Little Shop of Horrors.

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Another puppeteer is Gerry Anderson who used a puppet system called Supermarionation to a number of successful science fiction television shows like Thunderbirds

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Jim Henson: :For the company founded by Henson, see The Jim Henson Company....

Frank Oz: Richard Frank Oznowicz (born May 25, 1944), better known as Frank Oz, is a film director, actor and puppeteer. He was born in Hereford, United Kingdom to French parents - a Jewish father and Catholic mother. Oz moved to California, United States with his parents when he was five years old....

The Muppet Show: The Muppet Show is a television program featuring a cast of Muppets (diverse hand operated puppets, typically with huge eyes and large moving mouths) produced by Jim Henson and his team from 1976 to 1981. Despite its creative inspiration being American, Jim Henson was unable to get the show produced...

Puppeteer related Images and Photos (experimental)

Puppeteer Torso Statue

The Puppeteer 1894