The Deacon's Bench
The man who created and voiced one of my favorite Muppets — The Count — has gone to the great felt factory in the sky.
Jerry Nelson, the puppeteer who gave voice to dozens of characters on “Sesame Street,” “Fraggle Rock” and “The Muppet Show,” died at home in Cape Cod, Mass., on Thursday night after suffering from emphysema for several years. He was 78.
A statement on the Sesame Workshop’s website (the company that produces “Sesame Street”) paid tribute to Nelson, saying, “A member of the ‘Sesame Street’ family for more than 40 years, he will forever be in our hearts and remembered for the artistry in his puppetry, his music, and the laughter he brought to children worldwide through his portrayal of Count von Count, Herry Monster, Fat Blue, Sherlock Hemlock, the Amazing Mumford and many other beloved characters.”
Lisa Henson, daughter of Muppet creator Jim Henson and current chief executive of the Jim Henson Co., also paid tribute to Nelson in a statement, which read: “Jerry Nelson imbued all his characters with the same gentle, sweet whimsy and kindness that were a part of his own personality. He joined the Jim Henson Co. in the earliest years, and his unique contributions to the worlds of Fraggles, Muppets, Sesame Street and so many others are, and will continue to be, unforgettable. On behalf of the Henson family and everyone at the Jim Henson Co., our deepest sympathies go out to Jerry’s family and to his many fans.”
And here’s a classic Count moment featuring Mets star Keith Hernandez:
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