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'''Jerry Nelson''' (July 10, 1934 - August 23, 2012) started his puppeteering career working for [[Bil Baird]]. Throughout the '60s, he worked on-and-off with [[Jim Henson]]. In 1970, he joined the company and began working regularly on ''[[Sesame Street]]''. Since then, Nelson has performed as a principal puppeteer in numerous Muppet productions including the Muppet movies, ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', ''[[Fraggle Rock]]'', and various TV specials. |
'''Jerry Nelson''' (July 10, 1934 - August 23, 2012) started his puppeteering career working for [[Bil Baird]]. Throughout the '60s, he worked on-and-off with [[Jim Henson]]. In 1970, he joined the company and began working regularly on ''[[Sesame Street]]''. Since then, Nelson has performed as a principal puppeteer in numerous Muppet productions including the Muppet movies, ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', ''[[Fraggle Rock]]'', and various TV specials. |
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==Sesame Street== |
==Sesame Street== |
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[[Image:Jerry&Count.jpg|thumb|300px]] |
[[Image:Jerry&Count.jpg|thumb|300px]] |
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− | [[Image:Herry&Jerry.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson, with assistance |
+ | [[Image:Herry&Jerry.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson, with assistance from Richard Hunt, performing Herry Monster.]] |
[[Image:JerryFatBlueMailman.jpg|thumb|300px]] |
[[Image:JerryFatBlueMailman.jpg|thumb|300px]] |
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[[Image:JerryFranBiffRoxie.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson and [[Fran Brill]] performing Biff and his niece [[Roxie Marie]], during the taping of ''Sesame Street'' [[Episode 3136]].]] |
[[Image:JerryFranBiffRoxie.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson and [[Fran Brill]] performing Biff and his niece [[Roxie Marie]], during the taping of ''Sesame Street'' [[Episode 3136]].]] |
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[[File:JerryLewFishes.jpg|thumb|300px|Nelson puppeteering Lew Zealand, performing one of his singing fish acts, during filming of [[Episode 524: Roger Moore|Episode 524]] of ''The Muppet Show''.]] |
[[File:JerryLewFishes.jpg|thumb|300px|Nelson puppeteering Lew Zealand, performing one of his singing fish acts, during filming of [[Episode 524: Roger Moore|Episode 524]] of ''The Muppet Show''.]] |
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[[File:Jerry&Robin.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson with Robin the Frog.]] |
[[File:Jerry&Robin.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson with Robin the Frog.]] |
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− | [[Image:Jerry |
+ | [[Image:Jerry Richard Floyd Janice.jpg|thumb|300px]] |
Jerry Nelson performed in both of the ''[[The Muppet Show|Muppet Show]]'' pilots. In ''[[The Muppets Valentine Show]]'', he returned to the role of [[Thog]], and also performed [[Droop]] and [[Miss Mousey]]. In ''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence|The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence]]'', he performed [[Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem|Electric Mayhem]] bass player [[Floyd Pepper]] for the first time. In that special he also performed [[Statler and Waldorf|Statler]], Dr. Nauga, [[Gluttony]], [[Envy]], [[Sloth]], the [[Stalks|Yellow Stalk]], [[Whaddayasay Bird]] and the [[Gene Shalit Muppet]]. |
Jerry Nelson performed in both of the ''[[The Muppet Show|Muppet Show]]'' pilots. In ''[[The Muppets Valentine Show]]'', he returned to the role of [[Thog]], and also performed [[Droop]] and [[Miss Mousey]]. In ''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence|The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence]]'', he performed [[Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem|Electric Mayhem]] bass player [[Floyd Pepper]] for the first time. In that special he also performed [[Statler and Waldorf|Statler]], Dr. Nauga, [[Gluttony]], [[Envy]], [[Sloth]], the [[Stalks|Yellow Stalk]], [[Whaddayasay Bird]] and the [[Gene Shalit Muppet]]. |
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When production began on ''The Muppet Show'' as a series, Nelson chose to spend some time with his daughter and therefore couldn't perform in every first-season episode. Because of this, he had to give up the role of Statler, but for the most part he retained his other characters (Floyd Pepper, Robin, Droop, etc.) from previous productions. Nelson did not perform in episodes [[Episode 101: Juliet Prowse|101]]-[[Episode 103: Joel Grey|103]] and [[Episode 111: Lena Horne|111]]-[[Episode 115: Candice Bergen|115]]. However, when the first two episodes were reworked later in the first season, Nelson performed Floyd in a segment that was added to [[Episode 102: Connie Stevens|episode 102]]. |
When production began on ''The Muppet Show'' as a series, Nelson chose to spend some time with his daughter and therefore couldn't perform in every first-season episode. Because of this, he had to give up the role of Statler, but for the most part he retained his other characters (Floyd Pepper, Robin, Droop, etc.) from previous productions. Nelson did not perform in episodes [[Episode 101: Juliet Prowse|101]]-[[Episode 103: Joel Grey|103]] and [[Episode 111: Lena Horne|111]]-[[Episode 115: Candice Bergen|115]]. However, when the first two episodes were reworked later in the first season, Nelson performed Floyd in a segment that was added to [[Episode 102: Connie Stevens|episode 102]]. |
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− | None of Nelson's characters were as central to the show as characters like Kermit, [[Miss Piggy]], and [[Scooter]], and therefore Nelson often played major one-shot backstage characters, such as [[Irving Bizarre]], [[Big Tiny Tallsaddle]], and [[Angus McGonagle]]. His notable recurring characters included [[Camilla the Chicken]], [[Pops]], [[Louis Kazagger]], and [[Dr. Julius Strangepork]]. One such character, [[Lew Zealand]], was originally intended as a one-shot, but soon became a recurring character. Beginning in the second season, Nelson took over two of [[John Lovelady]]'s roles: [[Crazy Harry]] and [[ |
+ | None of Nelson's characters were as central to the show as characters like Kermit, [[Miss Piggy]], and [[Scooter]], and therefore Nelson often played major one-shot backstage characters, such as [[Irving Bizarre]], [[Big Tiny Tallsaddle]], and [[Angus McGonagle]]. His notable recurring characters included [[Camilla the Chicken]], [[Pops]], [[Louis Kazagger]], and [[Dr. Julius Strangepork]]. One such character, [[Lew Zealand]], was originally intended as a one-shot, but soon became a recurring character. Beginning in the second season, Nelson took over two of [[John Lovelady]]'s roles: [[Crazy Harry]] and [[the Announcer]]. Nelson went on to perform nearly every Muppet announcer in a major Henson production until 2002. Nelson was also given such rarely-seen recurring characters as [[J.P. Grosse]], [[Fleet Scribbler]], and [[Uncle Deadly]]. |
In addition to his versatility at character dialects, Nelson was an accomplished vocalist, and often received showcases on ''The Muppet Show''. Some of his regular characters, such as Floyd Pepper and [[Slim Wilson]], were musicians and sang often. Many of his other characters have displayed their musical talents, whether it was Robin singing "[[Halfway Down the Stairs]]" or "[[I'm Five]]," [[Thog]] singing "[[Oh Babe What Would You Say]]," or [[Pops]] singing "[[Once in Love With Amy]]." Nelson has also performed many songs as one-shot characters, including "[[All of Me]]," "[[The Windmills of Your Mind]]," and "[[Three Little Fishies]]." In addition to frequent pairings with Richard Hunt characters, Nelson was also often paired with [[Louise Gold]] in musical numbers, such as "[[Henrietta's Wedding]]" and "[[Your Feet's Too Big]]." |
In addition to his versatility at character dialects, Nelson was an accomplished vocalist, and often received showcases on ''The Muppet Show''. Some of his regular characters, such as Floyd Pepper and [[Slim Wilson]], were musicians and sang often. Many of his other characters have displayed their musical talents, whether it was Robin singing "[[Halfway Down the Stairs]]" or "[[I'm Five]]," [[Thog]] singing "[[Oh Babe What Would You Say]]," or [[Pops]] singing "[[Once in Love With Amy]]." Nelson has also performed many songs as one-shot characters, including "[[All of Me]]," "[[The Windmills of Your Mind]]," and "[[Three Little Fishies]]." In addition to frequent pairings with Richard Hunt characters, Nelson was also often paired with [[Louise Gold]] in musical numbers, such as "[[Henrietta's Wedding]]" and "[[Your Feet's Too Big]]." |
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==1990s== |
==1990s== |
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[[Image:Leslie Carrara-Rudolph with Jerry Nelson.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson with [[Leslie Carrara-Rudolph]] on the set of ''Muppets Tonight''.]] |
[[Image:Leslie Carrara-Rudolph with Jerry Nelson.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson with [[Leslie Carrara-Rudolph]] on the set of ''Muppets Tonight''.]] |
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Following Richard Hunt's death in 1992, Nelson once again performed the role of Statler, who he had originally performed. He also performed [[The Ghost of Christmas Present]] in ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]'', as well as [[Mad Monty]] and [[Blind Pew]] in ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]''. |
Following Richard Hunt's death in 1992, Nelson once again performed the role of Statler, who he had originally performed. He also performed [[The Ghost of Christmas Present]] in ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]'', as well as [[Mad Monty]] and [[Blind Pew]] in ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]''. |
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==2000s== |
==2000s== |
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⚫ | Beginning around 2001, Jerry Nelson began to phase out performing his primary ''Muppet Show'' family characters. Many of his characters drifted to silent background roles and several were recast (Statler given to [[Steve Whitmire]] starting with 2002's "[[Keep Fishin']]" music video; Floyd to [[John Kennedy]] and then [[Matt Vogel]], and Nelson's half of the [[Two-Headed Monster]] on ''Sesame Street'' to [[Joey Mazzarino]] in 2001). For the 2002 TV movie ''[[It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie]]'', Bill Barretta replaced him as [[Lew Zealand]], but Nelson looped the voices of Robin, Floyd, Statler, [[Pops]], [[Maxine]], the announcer, and a [[Rats|rat]]. Nelson also continued to provide the voices of his ''Sesame Street'' characters, including Count von Count, and the Amazing Mumford, while Matt Vogel normally performed the puppetry. By 2008, Vogel had assumed most of Nelson's ''Muppet Show'' roles as well. |
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⚫ | Beginning around 2001, Jerry Nelson began to phase out performing his primary ''Muppet Show'' family characters. Many of his characters drifted to silent background roles and several were recast (Statler given to [[Steve Whitmire]] starting with 2002's "[[Keep Fishin']]" music video; Floyd to [[John Kennedy]] and then [[Matt Vogel]], and Nelson's half of the [[Two-Headed Monster]] on ''Sesame Street'' to [[Joey Mazzarino]] in 2001). For the 2002 TV movie ''[[It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie]]'', Bill Barretta replaced him as [[Lew Zealand]], but Nelson looped the voices of Robin, Floyd, |
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It was long rumored that health issues were beginning to limit Nelson's involvement in projects as the aging puppeteer continued to stay active in the ranks of the Muppeteers. Beginning around 2001, complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and prostate cancer limited Nelson's involvement with the high-demanding Muppet projects. Nelson openly stated in August 2006 that "It is long and boring but I have had health issues for a couple of years now. Different ones...I do intend to work with my old friend Count Von Count again this next season."<ref name="mcpost">Jerry "Twiddlebug" Nelson, [http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showpost.php?p=438669&postcount=3 Muppet Central Post] 8/22/06</ref> Nelson has also participated in exclusive DVD interviews for the first two seasons of ''Fraggle Rock'' and ''Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas''. |
It was long rumored that health issues were beginning to limit Nelson's involvement in projects as the aging puppeteer continued to stay active in the ranks of the Muppeteers. Beginning around 2001, complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and prostate cancer limited Nelson's involvement with the high-demanding Muppet projects. Nelson openly stated in August 2006 that "It is long and boring but I have had health issues for a couple of years now. Different ones...I do intend to work with my old friend Count Von Count again this next season."<ref name="mcpost">Jerry "Twiddlebug" Nelson, [http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showpost.php?p=438669&postcount=3 Muppet Central Post] 8/22/06</ref> Nelson has also participated in exclusive DVD interviews for the first two seasons of ''Fraggle Rock'' and ''Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas''. |
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==2010s== |
==2010s== |
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⚫ | Although he was uncredited, Nelson reprised his role as [[The Announcer|announcer]] during The Muppet Telethon in 2011's ''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]''. Audio clips of his original introductions to [[Veterinarian's Hospital]] and [[Pigs in Space]] are also heard in the film, when Kermit first walks into [[the Muppet Theater]]. He also served as announcer for [[Jim Henson's Musical World]]. |
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⚫ | Although he was uncredited, Nelson |
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+ | Jerry Nelson died on August 23, 2012 after years of health issues complicated by COPD. His later work for ''Sesame Street'' continued to air into [[Season 44 (2013-2014)|Season 44]]. Nelson's final performances as the Count include the song "[[Five By]]" and the street stories of episodes [[Episode 4401|4401]] and [[Episode 4411|4411]]. He also voiced the Count for ''[[Kinect Sesame Street TV]]'' and the [[Universal Studios Singapore]] attraction ''[[Spaghetti Space Chase]]'' (as well as the [[CNN|SSNN]] announcer in the pre-show). Other posthumous performances include [[Grover and Mr. Johnson#coffeeplant|The Coffee Plant]] sketch as Mr. Johnson and a [[The Word of the Day|Word of the Day]] segment as [[Humpty Dumpty (Sesame Street)|Humpty Dumpty]]. |
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− | Jerry Nelson died on August 23, 2012. Nelson's voice as the Count will be featured in several episodes of the [[Season 43 (2012)|43rd season]] of ''Sesame Street'', which were filmed earlier in the year. |
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+ | Nelson's introductory voice-over from ''The Muppets'' was re-used in ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]''. The film was [[Production dedications|dedicated]] to him and [[Jane Henson]]. |
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==Puppeteer credits== |
==Puppeteer credits== |
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− | [[Image:Jerry Richard Floyd Janice.jpg|thumb|300px]] |
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*''[[The Muppet Show]]'': [[African Masks|African Mask]] (Fire), [[Albert Flan]], [[Angus McGonagle]], [[The Announcer]] (1977-1981), [[Automatic Wastebasket]], [[Bagpipes]] ([[Episode 520: Wally Boag|episode 520]]), [[Baskerville the Hound]] (episodes [[Episode 106: Jim Nabors|106]], [[Episode 116: Avery Schreiber|116]], [[Episode 208: Steve Martin|208]] and [[Episode 308: Loretta Lynn|308]]), [[Beakie]] ([[Episode 412: Phyllis George|episode 412]]), [[Behemoth]] ([[Episode 202: Zero Mostel|episode 202]]), [[Benny (Muppet Show)|Benny]], [[Big Tiny Tallsaddle]], [[Bruno (security guard)|Bruno]], [[Burlington Bertie]], [[Bust of Beethoven]], [[Camilla the Chicken]] (1978-2003), [[Cheesecake (character)|Cheesecake]], [[Chuckie]], [[Crazy Harry]] (1977-2003), [[Dancers]], [[The Dancing Clown]], [[The Devil]], [[Doglion]] ([[Episode 209: Madeline Kahn|episode 209]]), [[The Dodo|Dodo]] ([[Episode 415: Anne Murray|episode 415]]), [[Dracula]], [[Droop]], [[Eel (The Muppet Show)|Eel]] ([[Episode 417: Star Wars|episode 417]]), [[Ma Bear|Emily Bear]], [[Eric the Parrot]], [[Eric the Yodeling Clam]], [[Featherstone]], [[Female Koozebanian Creature]], [[Fleet Scribbler]], [[Floyd Pepper]] (1975-2003), [[Forcryingoutloud Bird]] ([[Episode 309: Liberace|episode 309]]), [[Fozzie Pig]], [[Fred (Whatnot)|Fred]], [[Fungi|Fungus]], [[The Fuzz Brothers|Fuzz Brother]], [[The Gambler (character)|The Gambler]], [[Geri and the Atrics|Geri]], [[Geri and the Atrics]] tambourine player ([[Episode 517: Hal Linden|episode 517]], [[The Gingerbread Men|Gingerbread Man]], [[Gorgon Heap]] ([[Episode 201: Don Knotts|episode 201]]), [[Granny the Gouger]], [[Gnu]], [[Harold]], [[Herman]], [[Talking Houses|House #1]] ([[Episode 107: Florence Henderson|episode 107]]), [[Talking Houses|House #2]], [[Humpty Dumpty (Muppet)|Humpty Dumpty]], [[Irving Bizarre]], [[J. P. Grosse|J.P. Grosse]], [[Jar of Orange Marmalade]], [[Jerry]], [[John Cleese's Agent]], [[Dr. Julius Strangepork|Julius Strangepork]], [[Koozebanian Phoob]], [[Lenny the Lizard]] ([[Episode 107: Florence Henderson|episode 107]]), [[Dancers#Leticia|Leticia]], [[Lew Zealand]] (1978-2003), [[Lewis Kazagger]], [[Sundance]] ([[Episode 416: Jonathan Winters|episode 416]], [[Episode 505: James Coburn|episode 505]]), [[Luncheon Counter Monster]] (occasionally), [[Mean Mama]] (occasionally), [[Merdlidops|Merdlidop]], [[Mickey Moose]], [[Miss Mousey]], [[Mulch]] ([[Episode 509: Debbie Harry|episode 509]]), [[The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly]], [[Opossum]], [[Paul]], [[Paul Revere]], [[Pierre LaCousse]], [[Pig Minister]], [[Pops]], [[Pris Rudolph]], [[Punching Bag]], [[The Queen]] ([[Episode 121: Twiggy|episode 121]]), [[Quongo]] ([[Episode 513: Tony Randall|episode 513]]), [[Robin the Frog]] (1971-2003), [[Sacrificial Idol]], [[Salzburg Sauerkraut Singers|Salzburg Sauerkraut Singer]], [[Sarcophagi|Sarcophagus]], [[Scotsman]], [[Shark (Muppet Show)|Shark]] ([[Episode 417: Star Wars|episode 417]]), [[Screaming Thing]], [[Dancers|Shouting Lady]], [[Singing Owl]], [[Slim Wilson]], [[The Sphinx]], [[Statler's Grandson]], [[Super Sheep]], [[Talking Machine]], [[Thog]], [[Thudge McGerk]], [[Tom, Dick, and Harry]] (Tom), [[Uncle Deadly]], [[Vendaface]], [[Vendawish]], [[Whaddayasay Bird]], [[Whatnot Monster]], [[William Tell]], [[The Witch Doctor]], [[Hugga Wugga|Yellow Creature]], [[Yorick (Muppet Show)|Yorick]], [[Zelda Rose]] ([[Episode 218: Jaye P. Morgan|episode 218]]) |
*''[[The Muppet Show]]'': [[African Masks|African Mask]] (Fire), [[Albert Flan]], [[Angus McGonagle]], [[The Announcer]] (1977-1981), [[Automatic Wastebasket]], [[Bagpipes]] ([[Episode 520: Wally Boag|episode 520]]), [[Baskerville the Hound]] (episodes [[Episode 106: Jim Nabors|106]], [[Episode 116: Avery Schreiber|116]], [[Episode 208: Steve Martin|208]] and [[Episode 308: Loretta Lynn|308]]), [[Beakie]] ([[Episode 412: Phyllis George|episode 412]]), [[Behemoth]] ([[Episode 202: Zero Mostel|episode 202]]), [[Benny (Muppet Show)|Benny]], [[Big Tiny Tallsaddle]], [[Bruno (security guard)|Bruno]], [[Burlington Bertie]], [[Bust of Beethoven]], [[Camilla the Chicken]] (1978-2003), [[Cheesecake (character)|Cheesecake]], [[Chuckie]], [[Crazy Harry]] (1977-2003), [[Dancers]], [[The Dancing Clown]], [[The Devil]], [[Doglion]] ([[Episode 209: Madeline Kahn|episode 209]]), [[The Dodo|Dodo]] ([[Episode 415: Anne Murray|episode 415]]), [[Dracula]], [[Droop]], [[Eel (The Muppet Show)|Eel]] ([[Episode 417: Star Wars|episode 417]]), [[Ma Bear|Emily Bear]], [[Eric the Parrot]], [[Eric the Yodeling Clam]], [[Featherstone]], [[Female Koozebanian Creature]], [[Fleet Scribbler]], [[Floyd Pepper]] (1975-2003), [[Forcryingoutloud Bird]] ([[Episode 309: Liberace|episode 309]]), [[Fozzie Pig]], [[Fred (Whatnot)|Fred]], [[Fungi|Fungus]], [[The Fuzz Brothers|Fuzz Brother]], [[The Gambler (character)|The Gambler]], [[Geri and the Atrics|Geri]], [[Geri and the Atrics]] tambourine player ([[Episode 517: Hal Linden|episode 517]], [[The Gingerbread Men|Gingerbread Man]], [[Gorgon Heap]] ([[Episode 201: Don Knotts|episode 201]]), [[Granny the Gouger]], [[Gnu]], [[Harold]], [[Herman]], [[Talking Houses|House #1]] ([[Episode 107: Florence Henderson|episode 107]]), [[Talking Houses|House #2]], [[Humpty Dumpty (Muppet)|Humpty Dumpty]], [[Irving Bizarre]], [[J. P. Grosse|J.P. Grosse]], [[Jar of Orange Marmalade]], [[Jerry]], [[John Cleese's Agent]], [[Dr. Julius Strangepork|Julius Strangepork]], [[Koozebanian Phoob]], [[Lenny the Lizard]] ([[Episode 107: Florence Henderson|episode 107]]), [[Dancers#Leticia|Leticia]], [[Lew Zealand]] (1978-2003), [[Lewis Kazagger]], [[Sundance]] ([[Episode 416: Jonathan Winters|episode 416]], [[Episode 505: James Coburn|episode 505]]), [[Luncheon Counter Monster]] (occasionally), [[Mean Mama]] (occasionally), [[Merdlidops|Merdlidop]], [[Mickey Moose]], [[Miss Mousey]], [[Mulch]] ([[Episode 509: Debbie Harry|episode 509]]), [[The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly]], [[Opossum]], [[Paul]], [[Paul Revere]], [[Pierre LaCousse]], [[Pig Minister]], [[Pops]], [[Pris Rudolph]], [[Punching Bag]], [[The Queen]] ([[Episode 121: Twiggy|episode 121]]), [[Quongo]] ([[Episode 513: Tony Randall|episode 513]]), [[Robin the Frog]] (1971-2003), [[Sacrificial Idol]], [[Salzburg Sauerkraut Singers|Salzburg Sauerkraut Singer]], [[Sarcophagi|Sarcophagus]], [[Scotsman]], [[Shark (Muppet Show)|Shark]] ([[Episode 417: Star Wars|episode 417]]), [[Screaming Thing]], [[Dancers|Shouting Lady]], [[Singing Owl]], [[Slim Wilson]], [[The Sphinx]], [[Statler's Grandson]], [[Super Sheep]], [[Talking Machine]], [[Thog]], [[Thudge McGerk]], [[Tom, Dick, and Harry]] (Tom), [[Uncle Deadly]], [[Vendaface]], [[Vendawish]], [[Whaddayasay Bird]], [[Whatnot Monster]], [[William Tell]], [[The Witch Doctor]], [[Hugga Wugga|Yellow Creature]], [[Yorick (Muppet Show)|Yorick]], [[Zelda Rose]] ([[Episode 218: Jaye P. Morgan|episode 218]]) |
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− | *''[[Sesame Street]]'': [[Adam T. Glaser]], [[Al]], [[Andy]], a banana from "[[Bilingual Fruit Song]]" (speaking voice only), [[The Rhymies|Barry Rhymie]], [[Bennett Snerf]] (monster version), [[Biff]], [[Big Barney]], [[Big Jeffy]] (in [[Grover Sketches: Miscellaneous|a |
+ | *''[[Sesame Street]]'': [[Adam T. Glaser]], [[Al]], [[Andy]], a banana from "[[Bilingual Fruit Song]]" (speaking voice only), [[The Rhymies|Barry Rhymie]], [[Bennett Snerf]] (monster version), [[Biff]], [[Big Barney]], [[Big Jeffy]] (in [[Grover Sketches: Miscellaneous|a Grover sketch]] demonstrating "Walk"), [[Bill Compton Muppet]], [[Bill Smith]], [[Billy (Anything Muppet)|Billy]], [[Birdnardo Birdolucci]], [[Carlos]], [[Charlie (Anything Muppet)|Charlie]] (occasionally), [[Chester O'Leary]], [[Christopher Columbus]], [[Chunky Cheese]], [[Clam]], [[Cookie Hood]], [[Cookie Monster's Pop]], [[Cookie Monster's Sister]], [[Corny the Corn]], [[Count von Count]] (1972-2012), [[Cousin Monster]], [[Cyranose de Bergerac]], [[David Finch]], [[Don Dula]], [[Dr. Livingstone]], [[Dr. Snuffenstein]], [[Elmo|Baby Monster]], [[Ernest the Grouch]], [[Farley]], [[Farley (lavender boy)]], [[Felix the Grouch]], [[Fico]], [[Football]], [[Frankie Monster]], [[Frazzle]], [[Fred the Wonder Horse]], [[The Genie]] (1976), [[George (Sesame Street)|George]], [[George Washington]] ("[[Sesame Street News Flash]]"), [[Granny Grouch]], [[Fat Cat|Green "Fat Cat" performer]], [[Two Guys Named Ed|Green Ed]], [[Grouch Cop]], [[Grouch Mayor]], [[Guntag Gelman-Jones]], [[H. Ross Parrot]], [[Harvey Monster]], [[Herbert Birdsfoot]], [[Herry Monster]] (1970-2003), [[Hickory Dickory Duck]], [[Hopalong Hamster]], [[Humpty Dumpty]], [[I. M. Pig]], [[J Friends|J Friend]], [[Jack Be Nimble (Sesame Street)|Jack Be Nimble]], [[Jackman Wolf]], [[Japanese Storyteller]], [[Jerome]], [[Jimmy]], [[Meet Me at the Bus Stop|Joe]], [[Kathleen the Cow]], [[Kermit the Forg]], [[Kermit the Gorf]], [[Kermit the Grof]], [[King Wasteful V]], [[Leo Birdelli]], [[Leonard Wolf]], [[Little Bo Peep]], [[Little Jerry]], [[Lord Hog]], [[Harvey Kneeslapper|Mad Man]], [[Marty (Sesame Street)|Marty]], [[The Rhymies|Mary Rhymie]], [[Maurice Monster]], [[Mean Manny]], [[Beginning, Middle, and End|Middle]], [[Mike (Anything Muppet)|Mike]], [[Monster Cookie]], [[Mr. Chatterly]], [[Mr. Foot]], [[Mr. Ice Cream Cone Man]], [[Mr. Johnson]], [[Mr. Lucky]], [[Mr. Snuffleupagus]], [[Natalie]], [[Nick Normal]], [[Noel Cowherd]], [[Number Guy]], [[Oak Tree]], [[Old King Cole]], [[Pamela]], [[Parker Monster]], [[Pesties]], [[Phil Harmonic]], [[Pierre (Anything Muppet)|Pierre]], [[Piper Piper]], [[Poco Loco]] (1974-1978), a potato from "[[Grow High Grow Low]]", [[Prince Firstly]], [[Professor Nucleus Von Fission]], [[Little Jerry and the Monotones|Pumpkin Monotone]] (in the song "[[Proud (Moss)|Proud]]"), [[Ricardo Monsterban]], [[Rick]], [[Rocky (baby)]], [[Rocky (Wiggly Tooth)]], [[Rodeo Rosie]], [[Ronnie Trash]], [[Sam the Robot]], [[Sammy the Snake]], [[Sandy the Snake]], [[Sergeant Thursday]], [[Sheriff Shrimp]], [[Sherlock Hemlock]], [[Simon Soundman]], [[Sir John Feelgood]], [[Sleeping Beauty]], [[Slimey]], [[Sesame Street News Flash|Sneaky the Elf]], [[Chet and Snooks|Snooks]], [[Gilbert and Sullivan|Sullivan]] ("[[Numerical Correspondence]]"), [[Teeth]], [[The Amazing Mumford]], [[The Big Bad Wolf]], [[The Big Bad Wolf]], [[The Country Mouse]], [[The Emperor]], [[The Fastest Person in the Kingdom]], [[The Gonk]], [[The Great Fentini]], [[The Hare]], [[The London Frog]], [[The Miller's Daughter]], [[The Royal Barber]], [[The Seven Dwarves|Angry]], [[The Seven Dwarves|Drippy]], [[The Seven Dwarves|Snookey]], [[The Seven Dwarves|Sparkey]], [[The Smartest Person in the Kingdom]], [[The Sun]], [[The Young Man Who Lives in a Glove]], [[Tina Twiddlebug]], [[Tony (Anything Muppet)|Tony]] (1970), [[Tony (Monsterpiece Theater)|Tony]], [[Tornado]], [[Tough Eddie]], [[Trevor Trout]], [[Two-Headed Monster]], [[Uncle Louie (Anything Muppet)|Uncle Louie]], [[Readers of the Open Range|Vern]], [[Walter (vampire)|Walter]], [[Walter (Anything Muppet)|Walter]], [[Witch]], [[Xavier]], [[the Martians]], [[The Zizzy Zoomers|Zizzy Zoomer]], [[The Oat Bran Zydeco "Je Ne Sais Quoi" Band|The Oat Bran Zydeco "Je Ne Sais Quoi" Band Lead Singer]], various announcers and others |
*''[[The Jimmy Dean Show]]'' (1965-1966): [[Rowlf the Dog|Rowlf]]'s right-hand |
*''[[The Jimmy Dean Show]]'' (1965-1966): [[Rowlf the Dog|Rowlf]]'s right-hand |
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− | *[[:Category:Commercials|Commercials]] |
+ | *[[:Category:Commercials|Commercials]] |
+ | **Assisting for [[Southern Colonel]], [[Nutty Bird]], and others |
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+ | **[[Federal Housing Administration]] spot: [[The Nightmare]] |
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*''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'': [[Clam]], [[Twill]] <ref>[http://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2011/01/17/1171971-ed-sullivan-show-–-string-quartet/ 1/17/1971 'Ed Sullivan Show - String Quartet' | Jim Henson's Red Book]</ref> |
*''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'': [[Clam]], [[Twill]] <ref>[http://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2011/01/17/1171971-ed-sullivan-show-–-string-quartet/ 1/17/1971 'Ed Sullivan Show - String Quartet' | Jim Henson's Red Book]</ref> |
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*''[[The Muppet Valentine Show]]'' |
*''[[The Muppet Valentine Show]]'' |
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− | *''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence]]:'' [[Envy]], [[Gluttony]], [[Gene Shalit Muppet]], [[Mount Rushmore |
+ | *''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence]]:'' [[Envy]], [[Gluttony]], [[Gene Shalit Muppet]], [[Mount Rushmore|Thomas Jefferson]], [[Statler and Waldorf|Statler]], [[Yellow Stalk]] |
*''[[Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass]]:'' [[Miss Piggy]], Muppet Man, [[Beautiful Day Monster]] (voice only) |
*''[[Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass]]:'' [[Miss Piggy]], Muppet Man, [[Beautiful Day Monster]] (voice only) |
||
Line 114: | Line 109: | ||
*''[[The Dark Crystal]]:'' [[Dying Skeksis Emperor]] (voice), [[Skeksis High Priest]] (voice) |
*''[[The Dark Crystal]]:'' [[Dying Skeksis Emperor]] (voice), [[Skeksis High Priest]] (voice) |
||
− | *''[[Fraggle Rock]]:'' [[Gobo Fraggle]], [[Marjory the Trash Heap]], [[Pa Gorg]] (face and voice), [[Architect Doozer]], [[Archbanger Fraggle]] |
+ | *''[[Fraggle Rock]]:'' [[Gobo Fraggle]], [[Marjory the Trash Heap]], [[Pa Gorg]] (face and voice), [[Architect Doozer]], [[Archbanger Fraggle]], [[Balsam the Minstrel]] (occasionally), [[Feenie Fraggle]], [[Fishface Fraggle]], [[Mervin Merggle]], [[Rudy Vallee Doozer]], [[Uncle Gobo]] |
*''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]:'' [[Bobo the Bear|Bear]] |
*''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]:'' [[Bobo the Bear|Bear]] |
||
Line 140: | Line 135: | ||
*''[[The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss]]:'' [[The Snoozer]] |
*''[[The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss]]:'' [[The Snoozer]] |
||
− | *''[[Muppets Tonight]]:'' [[A. Ligator]], [[Baby Jerry]], [[Clarissa]], [[Dr. Watson]], [[Eggheads]], [[Elvises]], [[Ernest Pleth]], [[The Head of the Network]], [[Indiana Rat]], [[The Irish Rodents]], [[Jowls]], [[The Mad Bomber]], [[Mama Fiama]], [[Moo-Ing]], [[Percy]], [[Phil]], [[The President]], [[The Rock Lobsters]], [[Rob Reiner Muppet]], [[Robbie]], [[Robot Abraham Lincoln]], [[Stosh]], [[Taylor the Turkey |
+ | *''[[Muppets Tonight]]:'' [[A. Ligator]], [[Baby Jerry]], [[Clarissa]], [[Dr. Watson]], [[Eggheads]], [[Elvises]], [[Ernest Pleth]], [[The Head of the Network]], [[Indiana Rat]], [[The Irish Rodents]], [[Jowls]], [[The Mad Bomber]], [[Mama Fiama]], [[Moo-Ing]], [[Percy]], [[Phil]], [[The President]], [[The Rock Lobsters]], [[Rob Reiner Muppet]], [[Robbie]], [[Robot Abraham Lincoln]], [[Stosh]], [[Taylor the Turkey]], and [[The Two-Headed Comic]] (Left Head). |
− | *''[[Muppets from Space]]:'' |
+ | *''[[Muppets from Space]]:'' [[Ubergonzo]] |
*''[[The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland]]:'' [[Pesties|Pestie]], [[Grouch Mayor]], [[Grouch Cop]] |
*''[[The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland]]:'' [[Pesties|Pestie]], [[Grouch Mayor]], [[Grouch Cop]] |
||
Line 153: | Line 148: | ||
*''[[The Best of Elmo 2]]:'' [[Dr. Sigmund Sillystuff]] |
*''[[The Best of Elmo 2]]:'' [[Dr. Sigmund Sillystuff]] |
||
− | |||
⚫ | |||
==Audio credits== |
==Audio credits== |
||
⚫ | |||
*''[[Elmo and the Orchestra]]:'' [[Leonard Birdseed]] |
*''[[Elmo and the Orchestra]]:'' [[Leonard Birdseed]] |
||
*''[[It's Not Easy Being Green (book)|It's Not Easy Being Green]]'' audio book: Performed quotes from [[Dr. Teeth]], [[Fraggles]], [[Doozers]], the guitarist from ''[[The Cube]]'', and others |
*''[[It's Not Easy Being Green (book)|It's Not Easy Being Green]]'' audio book: Performed quotes from [[Dr. Teeth]], [[Fraggles]], [[Doozers]], the guitarist from ''[[The Cube]]'', and others |
||
*''[[The Muppet CD-ROM: Muppets Inside|Muppets Inside CD-ROM]]'': [[The Newsman]], [[Statler and Waldorf|Statler]], [[Lew Zealand]], [[Floyd Pepper]] (archive footage) |
*''[[The Muppet CD-ROM: Muppets Inside|Muppets Inside CD-ROM]]'': [[The Newsman]], [[Statler and Waldorf|Statler]], [[Lew Zealand]], [[Floyd Pepper]] (archive footage) |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | *''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]'': The Announcer |
||
==Notes== |
==Notes== |
||
− | *His daughter Christine, who was dying of cystic fibrosis, made a cameo appearance with him in ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]''. |
+ | *His daughter [[Christine Nelson|Christine]], who was dying of cystic fibrosis, made a cameo appearance with him in ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]''. |
+ | |||
+ | <gallery> |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | Image:Jerry Lew.jpg|Jerry Nelson with Lew Zealand. |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | </gallery> |
||
==Sources== |
==Sources== |
||
Line 177: | Line 186: | ||
* [http://www.breathing.com/video/nelson-jerry/main.htm Jerry Nelson on Breathing.com] |
* [http://www.breathing.com/video/nelson-jerry/main.htm Jerry Nelson on Breathing.com] |
||
* [http://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2011/12/03/121-51965/ Jim Henson's Red Book entry about Nelson's beginnings with the Muppets] |
* [http://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2011/12/03/121-51965/ Jim Henson's Red Book entry about Nelson's beginnings with the Muppets] |
||
+ | * [http://jessicamaxstein.com/2013/04/the-count-writes-haiku-jerry-nelson-1934-2012/ Jessica Max Stein's obituary/memorial essay for Nelson] |
||
− | * [http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://e.domaindlx.com/jerrynelson/ |
+ | * [http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://e.domaindlx.com/jerrynelson/ Halfway Down the Stairs fansite (archive.org)] |
* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDB3B7ADAA28531BD "Remembering Jerry Nelson" playlist] on [[SesameStreet's YouTube Channel]] |
* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDB3B7ADAA28531BD "Remembering Jerry Nelson" playlist] on [[SesameStreet's YouTube Channel]] |
||
[[Category:Muppet Performers|Nelson, Jerry]] |
[[Category:Muppet Performers|Nelson, Jerry]] |
||
+ | [[Category:Creature Shop Voice Actors|Nelson, Jerry]] |
Revision as of 20:33, 24 March 2014
Jerry Nelson (July 10, 1934 - August 23, 2012) started his puppeteering career working for Bil Baird. Throughout the '60s, he worked on-and-off with Jim Henson. In 1970, he joined the company and began working regularly on Sesame Street. Since then, Nelson has performed as a principal puppeteer in numerous Muppet productions including the Muppet movies, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and various TV specials.
In 2004, Nelson announced he would be moving away from performing his classic Muppet characters, citing health reasons.[1] However, he continued to voice his characters on Sesame Street. In 2005, he was one of the narrators on the audiobook version of It's Not Easy Bein' Green, displaying his vocal versatility by reciting most of the quotes from Muppet characters, including Dr. Teeth and the Doozers.
In late 2009, Nelson released his album Truro Daydreams.[2]
Early Works with Henson
Jerry Nelson first worked with Jim Henson in 1965 when Frank Oz got drafted and Henson needed somebody to perform the right hand of Rowlf on The Jimmy Dean Show. However, Frank Oz failed his draft physical, but since Nelson had just gotten his job, Oz chose to take some time off from performing and thereby allow Nelson to stay on with the Muppets.
One of Nelson's first major roles was Featherstone in Hey, Cinderella! and The Frog Prince. Throughout the early 1970s, Nelson also performed a full-body monster named Thog, who appeared in The Great Santa Claus Switch and various variety show appearances. In The Frog Prince, he performed Kermit the Frog's nephew Robin for the first time; however, in that appearance, although Robin's voice and personality were the same, the character was actually a prince who was turned into a frog. Nelson also performed T.R. and Caleb Siles in The Muppet Musicians of Bremen, Scred on Saturday Night Live, and Emmet Otter in Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.
Sesame Street
Jerry Nelson became part of Sesame Street during the second season. In this season alone he was given a variety of new characters, including Herbert Birdsfoot, Sherlock Hemlock, Herry Monster, the Amazing Mumford, Little Jerry, Simon Soundman, and Farley. In 1972, he created the role of Count von Count, who is perhaps his best-known character. Another well-known character who Nelson performed was Big Bird's best friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus. However, most sources (including Sesame Street Unpaved and Sesame Street: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street) state that physical strain placed on him by the large puppet eventually hurt his back so much that he had to stop performing the character (although he continued to supply the voice only for a time). In a 2009 interview Jerry Nelson gave a different explanation for giving up the role: "I was not loath to give that character up. But the reasons for giving it up were because at that time we were doing The Muppet Show and he was a real part of the show, and they needed his presence. So they asked if I’d mind giving it up."[3] Other notable characters in Nelson's repertoire included Mr. Johnson, Frazzle, Sam the Robot, and Fred the Wonder Horse. He also did announcer voices very often, including the announcers for the Sesame Street News Flash and Super Grover openings.
Nelson was often paired with performer Richard Hunt. While goofing around on the set one day, they acted like a two-headed monster, and inspired by this, a Two-Headed Monster character was created for them. Jerry Nelson performed the left half of the monster, and because of this, had to perform the character's head with his left hand. (Most performers use their right hands to perform the heads of their characters.) Nelson and Hunt also performed a duo known as Biff and Sully. They would also alternate in performing the character Rodeo Rosie.
39 Years on a 40 Year Street: An Essay by Jerry Nelson
The Muppet Show
Jerry Nelson performed in both of the Muppet Show pilots. In The Muppets Valentine Show, he returned to the role of Thog, and also performed Droop and Miss Mousey. In The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence, he performed Electric Mayhem bass player Floyd Pepper for the first time. In that special he also performed Statler, Dr. Nauga, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth, the Yellow Stalk, Whaddayasay Bird and the Gene Shalit Muppet.
When production began on The Muppet Show as a series, Nelson chose to spend some time with his daughter and therefore couldn't perform in every first-season episode. Because of this, he had to give up the role of Statler, but for the most part he retained his other characters (Floyd Pepper, Robin, Droop, etc.) from previous productions. Nelson did not perform in episodes 101-103 and 111-115. However, when the first two episodes were reworked later in the first season, Nelson performed Floyd in a segment that was added to episode 102.
None of Nelson's characters were as central to the show as characters like Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Scooter, and therefore Nelson often played major one-shot backstage characters, such as Irving Bizarre, Big Tiny Tallsaddle, and Angus McGonagle. His notable recurring characters included Camilla the Chicken, Pops, Louis Kazagger, and Dr. Julius Strangepork. One such character, Lew Zealand, was originally intended as a one-shot, but soon became a recurring character. Beginning in the second season, Nelson took over two of John Lovelady's roles: Crazy Harry and the Announcer. Nelson went on to perform nearly every Muppet announcer in a major Henson production until 2002. Nelson was also given such rarely-seen recurring characters as J.P. Grosse, Fleet Scribbler, and Uncle Deadly.
In addition to his versatility at character dialects, Nelson was an accomplished vocalist, and often received showcases on The Muppet Show. Some of his regular characters, such as Floyd Pepper and Slim Wilson, were musicians and sang often. Many of his other characters have displayed their musical talents, whether it was Robin singing "Halfway Down the Stairs" or "I'm Five," Thog singing "Oh Babe What Would You Say," or Pops singing "Once in Love With Amy." Nelson has also performed many songs as one-shot characters, including "All of Me," "The Windmills of Your Mind," and "Three Little Fishies." In addition to frequent pairings with Richard Hunt characters, Nelson was also often paired with Louise Gold in musical numbers, such as "Henrietta's Wedding" and "Your Feet's Too Big."
On his characters, Jerry Nelson was quoted in a 1978 "Muppet Show Fan Club" newsletter:
Nelson continued to speak fondly of his performance opportunities in later years:
1980s
On Fraggle Rock, Jerry Nelson performed the show's lead character, Gobo Fraggle. He also performed Marjory the Trash Heap and Pa Gorg. Jerry Nelson was one of the few Muppet performers to perform voices in The Dark Crystal, performing the voices of the Dying Skeskis Emperor and the Skeksis High Priest. In The Christmas Toy, he performed Balthazar, who he would regularly perform on The Secret Life of Toys. He also performed many characters on The Jim Henson Hour, though his only recurring character on that show was Beard.
1990s
Following Richard Hunt's death in 1992, Nelson once again performed the role of Statler, who he had originally performed. He also performed The Ghost of Christmas Present in The Muppet Christmas Carol, as well as Mad Monty and Blind Pew in Muppet Treasure Island.
He performed many minor characters on Muppets Tonight, and occasionally performed on The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. He performed Ubergonzo in Muppets from Space, and performed the Grouch Mayor in The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.
2000s
Beginning around 2001, Jerry Nelson began to phase out performing his primary Muppet Show family characters. Many of his characters drifted to silent background roles and several were recast (Statler given to Steve Whitmire starting with 2002's "Keep Fishin'" music video; Floyd to John Kennedy and then Matt Vogel, and Nelson's half of the Two-Headed Monster on Sesame Street to Joey Mazzarino in 2001). For the 2002 TV movie It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, Bill Barretta replaced him as Lew Zealand, but Nelson looped the voices of Robin, Floyd, Statler, Pops, Maxine, the announcer, and a rat. Nelson also continued to provide the voices of his Sesame Street characters, including Count von Count, and the Amazing Mumford, while Matt Vogel normally performed the puppetry. By 2008, Vogel had assumed most of Nelson's Muppet Show roles as well.
It was long rumored that health issues were beginning to limit Nelson's involvement in projects as the aging puppeteer continued to stay active in the ranks of the Muppeteers. Beginning around 2001, complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and prostate cancer limited Nelson's involvement with the high-demanding Muppet projects. Nelson openly stated in August 2006 that "It is long and boring but I have had health issues for a couple of years now. Different ones...I do intend to work with my old friend Count Von Count again this next season."[1] Nelson has also participated in exclusive DVD interviews for the first two seasons of Fraggle Rock and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.
2010s
Although he was uncredited, Nelson reprised his role as announcer during The Muppet Telethon in 2011's The Muppets. Audio clips of his original introductions to Veterinarian's Hospital and Pigs in Space are also heard in the film, when Kermit first walks into the Muppet Theater. He also served as announcer for Jim Henson's Musical World.
Jerry Nelson died on August 23, 2012 after years of health issues complicated by COPD. His later work for Sesame Street continued to air into Season 44. Nelson's final performances as the Count include the song "Five By" and the street stories of episodes 4401 and 4411. He also voiced the Count for Kinect Sesame Street TV and the Universal Studios Singapore attraction Spaghetti Space Chase (as well as the SSNN announcer in the pre-show). Other posthumous performances include The Coffee Plant sketch as Mr. Johnson and a Word of the Day segment as Humpty Dumpty.
Nelson's introductory voice-over from The Muppets was re-used in Muppets Most Wanted. The film was dedicated to him and Jane Henson.
Puppeteer credits
- The Muppet Show: African Mask (Fire), Albert Flan, Angus McGonagle, The Announcer (1977-1981), Automatic Wastebasket, Bagpipes (episode 520), Baskerville the Hound (episodes 106, 116, 208 and 308), Beakie (episode 412), Behemoth (episode 202), Benny, Big Tiny Tallsaddle, Bruno, Burlington Bertie, Bust of Beethoven, Camilla the Chicken (1978-2003), Cheesecake, Chuckie, Crazy Harry (1977-2003), Dancers, The Dancing Clown, The Devil, Doglion (episode 209), Dodo (episode 415), Dracula, Droop, Eel (episode 417), Emily Bear, Eric the Parrot, Eric the Yodeling Clam, Featherstone, Female Koozebanian Creature, Fleet Scribbler, Floyd Pepper (1975-2003), Forcryingoutloud Bird (episode 309), Fozzie Pig, Fred, Fungus, Fuzz Brother, The Gambler, Geri, Geri and the Atrics tambourine player (episode 517, Gingerbread Man, Gorgon Heap (episode 201), Granny the Gouger, Gnu, Harold, Herman, House #1 (episode 107), House #2, Humpty Dumpty, Irving Bizarre, J.P. Grosse, Jar of Orange Marmalade, Jerry, John Cleese's Agent, Julius Strangepork, Koozebanian Phoob, Lenny the Lizard (episode 107), Leticia, Lew Zealand (1978-2003), Lewis Kazagger, Sundance (episode 416, episode 505), Luncheon Counter Monster (occasionally), Mean Mama (occasionally), Merdlidop, Mickey Moose, Miss Mousey, Mulch (episode 509), The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Opossum, Paul, Paul Revere, Pierre LaCousse, Pig Minister, Pops, Pris Rudolph, Punching Bag, The Queen (episode 121), Quongo (episode 513), Robin the Frog (1971-2003), Sacrificial Idol, Salzburg Sauerkraut Singer, Sarcophagus, Scotsman, Shark (episode 417), Screaming Thing, Shouting Lady, Singing Owl, Slim Wilson, The Sphinx, Statler's Grandson, Super Sheep, Talking Machine, Thog, Thudge McGerk, Tom, Dick, and Harry (Tom), Uncle Deadly, Vendaface, Vendawish, Whaddayasay Bird, Whatnot Monster, William Tell, The Witch Doctor, Yellow Creature, Yorick, Zelda Rose (episode 218)
- Sesame Street: Adam T. Glaser, Al, Andy, a banana from "Bilingual Fruit Song" (speaking voice only), Barry Rhymie, Bennett Snerf (monster version), Biff, Big Barney, Big Jeffy (in a Grover sketch demonstrating "Walk"), Bill Compton Muppet, Bill Smith, Billy, Birdnardo Birdolucci, Carlos, Charlie (occasionally), Chester O'Leary, Christopher Columbus, Chunky Cheese, Clam, Cookie Hood, Cookie Monster's Pop, Cookie Monster's Sister, Corny the Corn, Count von Count (1972-2012), Cousin Monster, Cyranose de Bergerac, David Finch, Don Dula, Dr. Livingstone, Dr. Snuffenstein, Baby Monster, Ernest the Grouch, Farley, Farley (lavender boy), Felix the Grouch, Fico, Football, Frankie Monster, Frazzle, Fred the Wonder Horse, The Genie (1976), George, George Washington ("Sesame Street News Flash"), Granny Grouch, Green "Fat Cat" performer, Green Ed, Grouch Cop, Grouch Mayor, Guntag Gelman-Jones, H. Ross Parrot, Harvey Monster, Herbert Birdsfoot, Herry Monster (1970-2003), Hickory Dickory Duck, Hopalong Hamster, Humpty Dumpty, I. M. Pig, J Friend, Jack Be Nimble, Jackman Wolf, Japanese Storyteller, Jerome, Jimmy, Joe, Kathleen the Cow, Kermit the Forg, Kermit the Gorf, Kermit the Grof, King Wasteful V, Leo Birdelli, Leonard Wolf, Little Bo Peep, Little Jerry, Lord Hog, Mad Man, Marty, Mary Rhymie, Maurice Monster, Mean Manny, Middle, Mike, Monster Cookie, Mr. Chatterly, Mr. Foot, Mr. Ice Cream Cone Man, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lucky, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Natalie, Nick Normal, Noel Cowherd, Number Guy, Oak Tree, Old King Cole, Pamela, Parker Monster, Pesties, Phil Harmonic, Pierre, Piper Piper, Poco Loco (1974-1978), a potato from "Grow High Grow Low", Prince Firstly, Professor Nucleus Von Fission, Pumpkin Monotone (in the song "Proud"), Ricardo Monsterban, Rick, Rocky (baby), Rocky (Wiggly Tooth), Rodeo Rosie, Ronnie Trash, Sam the Robot, Sammy the Snake, Sandy the Snake, Sergeant Thursday, Sheriff Shrimp, Sherlock Hemlock, Simon Soundman, Sir John Feelgood, Sleeping Beauty, Slimey, Sneaky the Elf, Snooks, Sullivan ("Numerical Correspondence"), Teeth, The Amazing Mumford, The Big Bad Wolf, The Big Bad Wolf, The Country Mouse, The Emperor, The Fastest Person in the Kingdom, The Gonk, The Great Fentini, The Hare, The London Frog, The Miller's Daughter, The Royal Barber, Angry, Drippy, Snookey, Sparkey, The Smartest Person in the Kingdom, The Sun, The Young Man Who Lives in a Glove, Tina Twiddlebug, Tony (1970), Tony, Tornado, Tough Eddie, Trevor Trout, Two-Headed Monster, Uncle Louie, Vern, Walter, Walter, Witch, Xavier, the Martians, Zizzy Zoomer, The Oat Bran Zydeco "Je Ne Sais Quoi" Band Lead Singer, various announcers and others
- The Jimmy Dean Show (1965-1966): Rowlf's right-hand
- Commercials
- Assisting for Southern Colonel, Nutty Bird, and others
- Federal Housing Administration spot: The Nightmare
- Tales from Muppetland: Featherstone, Caleb Siles, Rover Joe the Hound Dog (puppet), Stepsister #2, Sweetums (puppetry only), T.R.
- Muppet Meeting Films: Announcers, P. Fenton Cosgrove
- The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence: Envy, Gluttony, Gene Shalit Muppet, Thomas Jefferson, Statler, Yellow Stalk
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass: Miss Piggy, Muppet Man, Beautiful Day Monster (voice only)
- Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas: Emmet Otter, Doc Bullfrog, Melissa Rabbit, Stanley Weasel, Will Possum, Yancey Woodchuck
- The Dark Crystal: Dying Skeksis Emperor (voice), Skeksis High Priest (voice)
- Fraggle Rock: Gobo Fraggle, Marjory the Trash Heap, Pa Gorg (face and voice), Architect Doozer, Archbanger Fraggle, Balsam the Minstrel (occasionally), Feenie Fraggle, Fishface Fraggle, Mervin Merggle, Rudy Vallee Doozer, Uncle Gobo
- The Muppet Christmas Carol: Ghost of Christmas Present (face and voice), Mr. Applegate, Father Mouse, Pig Businessmen, Rat Bookkeepers, Statler (as Jacob Marley), Penguins, Inkspots, Singing Food
- The Secret Life of Toys: Balthazar, Bratty Rat, Dinkybeard
- Muppet Treasure Island: Blind Pew, Mad Monty, Monocled Pirate, Floyd, Sal Minella, Island Heads, Statler (as Figurehead of the Hispaniola), Inkspots, Old Tom, Octopuses, Skulls, Jaques Roach (Cabin Fever), Spotted Dick, Singing Food
- Muppets Tonight: A. Ligator, Baby Jerry, Clarissa, Dr. Watson, Eggheads, Elvises, Ernest Pleth, The Head of the Network, Indiana Rat, The Irish Rodents, Jowls, The Mad Bomber, Mama Fiama, Moo-Ing, Percy, Phil, The President, The Rock Lobsters, Rob Reiner Muppet, Robbie, Robot Abraham Lincoln, Stosh, Taylor the Turkey, and The Two-Headed Comic (Left Head).
- It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie: Robin, Floyd, Announcer, Statler
Audio credits
- Elmo and the Orchestra: Leonard Birdseed
- It's Not Easy Being Green audio book: Performed quotes from Dr. Teeth, Fraggles, Doozers, the guitarist from The Cube, and others
- Muppets Inside CD-ROM: The Newsman, Statler, Lew Zealand, Floyd Pepper (archive footage)
- The Muppets: The Announcer
- Muppets Most Wanted: The Announcer
Notes
- His daughter Christine, who was dying of cystic fibrosis, made a cameo appearance with him in The Great Muppet Caper.
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jerry "Twiddlebug" Nelson, Muppet Central Post 8/22/06
- ↑ ToughPigs: Jerry Nelson - The Album, 1/13/2010
- ↑ Nelson, Jerry Tough Pigs interview with Jerry Nelson
- ↑ jimhensonlegacy.org
- ↑ Muppets from Space: The Making of Muppet Movie Magic
- ↑ 1/17/1971 'Ed Sullivan Show - String Quartet' | Jim Henson's Red Book
See also
External links
- The Muppet Mindset interview with Jerry Nelson, part 1 part 2 part 3
- ToughPigs.com 2009 interview with Jerry Nelson
- Kenneth Plume's 2000 interview with Nelson
- Jerry Nelson on Breathing.com
- Jim Henson's Red Book entry about Nelson's beginnings with the Muppets
- Jessica Max Stein's obituary/memorial essay for Nelson
- Halfway Down the Stairs fansite (archive.org)
- "Remembering Jerry Nelson" playlist on SesameStreet's YouTube Channel