Jim Henson

The Biography

By: Brian Jay Jones

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 21 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • For the first time ever—a comprehensive biography of one of the twentieth century’s most innovative creative artists: the incomparable, irreplaceable Jim Henson

He was a gentle dreamer whose genial bearded visage was recognized around the world, but most people got to know him only through the iconic characters born of his fertile imagination: Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie, Miss Piggy, Big Bird. The Muppets made Jim Henson a household name, but they were just part of his remarkable story.

This extraordinary biography—written with the generous cooperation of the Henson family—covers the full arc of Henson’s all-too-brief life: from his childhood in Leland, Mississippi, through the years of burgeoning fame in America, to the decade of international celebrity that preceded his untimely death at age fifty-three. Drawing on hundreds of hours of new interviews with Henson's family, friends, and closest collaborators, as well as unprecedented access to private family and company archives, Brian Jay Jones explores the creation of the Muppets, Henson’s contributions to Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live, and his nearly ten-year campaign to bring The Muppet Show to television. Jones provides the imaginative context for Henson’s non-Muppet projects, including the richly imagined worlds of The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth—as well as fascinating misfires like Henson’s dream of opening an inflatable psychedelic nightclub.

An uncommonly intimate portrait, Jim Henson captures all the facets of this American original: the master craftsman who revolutionized the presentation of puppets on television, the savvy businessman whose dealmaking prowess won him a reputation as “the new Walt Disney,” and the creative team leader whose collaborative ethos earned him the undying loyalty of everyone who worked for him. Here also is insight into Henson’s intensely private personal life: his Christian Science upbringing, his love of fast cars and expensive art, and his weakness for women. Though an optimist by nature, Henson was haunted by the notion that he would not have time to do all the things he wanted to do in life—a fear that his heartbreaking final hours would prove all too well founded.

An up-close look at the charmed life of a legend, Jim Henson gives the full measure to a man whose joyful genius transcended age, language, geography, and culture—and continues to beguile audiences worldwide.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BOOKPAGE

“Jim Henson vibrantly delves into the magnificent man and his Muppet methods: It’s an absolute must-read!”—Neil Patrick Harris

“An exhaustive work that is never exhausting, a credit both to Jones’s brisk style and to Henson’s exceptional life.”—The New York Times

“[A] sweeping portrait that is a mix of humor, mirth and poignancy.”—Washington Independent Review of Books

“A meticulously researched tome chock-full of gems about the Muppets and the most thorough portrait of their creator ever crafted.”—Associated Press

©2013 Brain Jay Jones (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"The biography’s delightful surprises include a disastrous run on the first season of Saturday Night Live ('the mucking Fuppets,' John Belushi grumbled), an early milky-blue iteration of Kermit sewn from Henson’s mother’s felt coat and the story of how Frank Oz became Yoda." (Kyle Minor, Salon)

"I worked with Jim for more than 30 years. He was one of my closest friends. And yet I found out things about him in Jim Henson that were new to me. Brian Jay Jones has captured the layers of Jim’s genius and humanity, as well as the flaws that made Jim, like all of us, so delightfully imperfect. Jim needed this book to be written. I thank Brian for giving Jim life again. This book has captured the spirit of Jim Henson." (Frank Oz)

"I’m a rabid Jim Henson fan - his brilliant ideas spawned shows that entertained and educated millions, myself included. Jim Henson vibrantly delves into the magnificent man and his Muppet methods. It’s an absolute must read!" (Neil Patrick Harris)

Wonderfully written and performed

Such a creator. Thank you Jones for this vivid retelling of his life. Also thank you to Kriby Heyborne for your reading of this. I loved how you paid homage to all voices of all characters.

An incredible journey that will give you ALL the feels!

I remember where I was the day I found out Jim Henson had passed away. Listening to this book felt like a greatest hits of my childhood. Even though parts of the book were emotional, it was totally worth it. A bit long, but an incredible journey.

A wonderful story of a wonderful man.

I absolutely loved learning about the history of Jim Henson and his muppets. A great book that I highly recommend.

Loved it!

Learned a log about one of my favorite Legends! Kirby Heyborne did a great job narrating and changing his voice per character he spoke for.

Much more than just the Muppets

From an early age, I was hooked on the work of Jim Henson. Ernie, Kermit, and all the rest have touched my life and influenced the way I live and how I see the world.
This book was a very in depth look into the worlds of Jim Henson from struggling to find a way to get into television, through to his trying to preserve what vision he had for his creations for the benefit of children throughout the world. This book is a fascinating behind the scenes look at the man who used his unique talent and skills to build an empire of family entertainment and amazing worlds put together for entertainment and education purposes.

Kirby Heyborne did a fantastic job with the narration. I could hear the muppet character voices in his performance. He really expressed the kindness of Jim Henson and the essence of his characters extremely well.

From before Sesame Street, to his dealings with Disney, if you have ever been a fan of his Muppets or shows or movies or anything that he has produced, this story of a gentle giant of television is well worth the time spent

Interesting story about an interesting man

Any additional comments?

Overall I really liked this book. i also enjoyed the narration. I did think that there was a little excess family history that slowed the story down a bit in the beginning but once it got rolling it was fascinating. I grew up around the muppets Sesame Street and didn't really know much if his story, he was definitely not the one dimensional man I thought. I would recommend to anyone who is a Henson fan, but also to those who study success.

Great! The narrator is very talented.

Great lessons from the life of Jim. The narrator slips seamlessly into voices of Jim and muppet characters without distracting from the story.

jim was amazing

super detailed in depth telling of his whole life. very entertaining and powerful. thanks jim!

Engaging, Powerful, Inspiring, and Sweet

Simply put, one of the best biographies to which I have ever listened. Also, refreshing to learn about a man who did so much good in the world, leaving an incredible legacy behind him. I really appreciated how Jones approached Jim as a human with all the messy bits attached that keep him grounded and relatable as well as the extraordinary bits that make him nearly unapproachable. Even while crying, I smiled throughout Heyborne’s outstanding performance. Five stars all the way around. Bravo y’all.

Truly beautiful

A seriously in depth look at Jim’s life. Very well done. I’m glad to have stuck with it.