2005 37c Jim Henson: The Swedish Chef

U.S. #3944f
37¢ The Swedish Chef
Jim Henson and the Muppets

Issue Date: September 28, 2005
City: North Hollywood, CA
Quantity: 21,000,000
Printed By: Avery Dennison
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: Serpentine Die Cut 10.5
Color: Multicolored

Growing up in Maryland, Jim Henson (1936-90) had an abiding interest in television. While still in high school, Henson got the chance to produce puppet shows on a local Saturday morning television program.

Henson continued to bring his soft, expressive glove puppets to television during his college years. His show, Sam and Friends, aired on a local network affiliate. A prototype of his famous frog puppet first appeared on this show. The success of Sam and Friends led to more national appearances for Henson and his creations.

When a children’s television producer asked Henson to create a cast of characters for a show, Ernie and Bert, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird took their places on Sesame Street. They are still entertaining and educating children today.

Because Henson believed his characters had wide appeal, he launched The Muppet Show in 1976. For five years, unforgettable personalities like a glamorous but aggressive pig and a well-meaning, bumbling bear reached 235 million viewers in more than 100 countries.

The Muppet Show won three Emmy awards and was followed by several feature films. Jim Henson’s magical talent changed the ancient art of puppetry into a theatrical art form that became part of popular American culture.