Jane Nebel Henson Passes away at 78

Jane Henson

 June 16, 1934 - April 2, 2013

Muppet Fans, Very Sad News To Report:

Jane Nebel Henson, co-creator of The Muppets, founder of the Jim Henson Legacy, widow of Jim Henson and Mother to John, Brian, Lisa, Cheryl and Heather Henson passed away this morning at the age of 78.

After a three-year struggle with cancer, Jane passed away in her home in Greenwich, CT surrounded by family. Thoughts and prayers are with the Henson family at this time of great loss. A memorial mass is planned for next week.


The Jim Henson Company has a
Celebrate the Life of Jane Nebel Henson page up now.

CLICK HERE to see it


Donations may be sent in memory of Jane Henson to the following:
* Center for Puppetry Arts
* The Jim Henson Foundation for the support of puppetry
* The Puppetry Conference at the
   Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theatre Centre

CLICK HERE to visit the
Jane Henson Appreciation Page on Facebook

 

 

From Deadline.com by Mike Fleming Jr
Jane met Jim Henson in a puppetry class at the University of Maryland and soon after became an integral creative and business partner with him to form the Muppets. They began performing together on NBC’s D.C. affiliate station WRC-TV while she was an undergraduate. Their show, Sam And Friends, took off and soon they were doing guest spots on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show. They were married in 1959, and she gave birth to Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, Brian Henson, John Henson and Heather Henson. Brian is currently chairman and Lisa is CEO of The Jim Henson Company.

Jane continued to contribute to what became The Jim Henson Company empire, collaborating with her husband on a traveling museum exhibit The Art Of The Muppets, and The Muppet Show On Tour and Sesame Street Live arena stage shows. She also launched the careers of many puppeteers who joined the company and served on the board of The Jim Henson Foundation, which he started in 1982 and which is now run by Cheryl Henson. The mission is to promote and develop the art of puppetry. Later, she funded and founded The Jim Henson Legacy to conserve, preserve and present the artistic contribution of Jim Henson.

In 2001, she created the Jane Henson Foundation, a philanthropic enterprise.

Legally separated in 1986, Jim and Jane Henson continued to share their love for the Muppets. After he died suddenly in 1990, she would often speak to the public about her late husband’s body of work and how “Jim wanted to leave the world a better place.” According to Arthur Novell, the trustee of The Jim Henson Legacy, “most would agree they both did.”