Jerry Nelson

Jerry L. Nelson (July 10, 1934 – August 23, 2012) was an American puppeteer, best known for his work with The Muppets. Renowned for his wide range of characters and singing abilities, he performed Muppet characters on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and various Muppet movies and specials.

Jerry Nelson
Nelson with the Count in a Sesame Street publicity photograph from June 2012, two months before his death.
Born
Jerry L. Nelson

(1934-07-10)July 10, 1934
DiedAugust 23, 2012(2012-08-23) (aged 78)
Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S.
OccupationPuppeteer
Years active1965–2012
Spouse(s)Jacqueline Gordon (divorced)
Jan Nelson
(m. 1984)
Children1

Career

On Sesame Street, Nelson's longest-running character was Count von Count, the counting vampire who takes delight in counting anything (and everything) he can. Nelson did the voice and puppetry for the Count from 1972 until 2004 and continued to provide the Count's voice until his death in 2012. His other Muppet roles on that program were Herbert Birdsfoot, The Amazing Mumford, Herry Monster, Biff the construction worker, Mr. Johnson, Simon Soundman, Mr. Chatterly, Frazzle, rockstar Little Jerry, and Sherlock Hemlock. He has also made a total of nine onscreen appearances on the show.

Nelson was the first puppeteer to perform Mr. Snuffleupagus, keeping the role from 1971 to 1978. Most sources (including Sesame Street Unpaved and Sesame Street: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street) state that back problems caused by the physical stress of the performance forced him to bow out, but in a 2009 interview 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."[1]

He also performed many characters on The Muppet Show, including Sgt. Floyd Pepper (the bassist of the Electric Mayhem band), Pigs in Space star Dr. Julius Strangepork, the boomerang fish-throwing Lew Zealand, Kermit the Frog's nephew Robin the Frog, Gonzo's girlfriend Camilla the Chicken, the mad pyrotechnist Crazy Harry, and "the Phantom of the Muppet Show", Uncle Deadly. He performed Statler in the pilot episode but was replaced by Richard Hunt when he could not perform full-time in the first season. He was a full-time performer for the rest of the show's run. Nelson was also selected to play Statler after Hunt's death, after the end of the show.

Less prominent characters on the show include sportscaster Louis Kazagger, Pops the doorman, giant blue monster Thog, gossip columnist Fleet Scribbler, and Scooter's uncle, J.P. Grosse, who owned the theater. He originated the role of Fozzie Bear's mother in season 2 of The Muppet Show and reprised the role in the TV specials A Muppet Family Christmas, The Muppets at Walt Disney World, and the film The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Nelson performed the puppet and voice of Emmet in Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, a one-hour special that originally aired on HBO. He later performed the signature song from that show, "When the River Meets the Sea," as Robin, in a duet with John Denver for a Muppet Christmas special. That version of the song gets frequent radio airplay during the Christmas season (although the song is not seasonal). He and Louise Gold performed the song at Jim Henson’s Memorial Service.

On Fraggle Rock, he performed Gobo Fraggle, Pa Gorg, and Marjory the Trash Heap. Frank Oz did not perform on Fraggle Rock, and Jim Henson and Hunt limited their time on the show, so they performed supporting characters. For this reason, Nelson was asked to perform Gobo, the central role on the show.

Nelson's characters were often singers or musicians. He performed the lead vocals for many songs as Floyd of the Electric Mayhem, Little Jerry of Little Jerry and the Monotones, Slim Wilson of Lubbock Lou and his Jughuggers, and a number of Anything Muppet bands. Most of his main characters in all three shows sang songs at one time or another.

He reprised the role of the announcer in The Muppets. His final performance as the announcer was part of the Jim Henson's Musical World concert at Carnegie Hall.[2] Archive audio of his announcer role was reused in Muppets Most Wanted, which was dedicated to both Nelson and Jane Henson, wife of Muppets' creator Jim Henson.

In 2001, Nelson also performed the character voice of General Public in the Cartoon Network animated series Sheep in the Big City in the episode "Daddy Shearest".

In December 2009, Nelson, who summered in Truro, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, released Truro Daydreams, an album of original songs.[3]

Personal life

Nelson had a daughter named Christine from his first marriage to Jacqueline Nelson Gordon. Christine had cystic fibrosis and died from the disease in 1982,[4] after attending Rye Country Day School. Caring for her limited Nelson's involvement in The Muppet Show's first season. She made a cameo appearance with him in the second Muppet movie, The Great Muppet Caper. He then married his second wife Jan Nelson in 1984, and they remained married until his death in 2012.[5][6]

In 2004, Nelson announced that he would no longer be puppeteering his Muppet characters, citing health reasons. However, he continued to voice his characters on Sesame Street until his death on August 23, 2012. Matt Vogel currently performs most of Nelson's Muppet characters.[7]

Illness and death

Nelson suffered from prostate cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema.[8][9] For the last six years of his life, he required an oxygen tank to assist his breathing.[10] On August 23, 2012, Jerry Nelson died at his Cape Cod home from complications of his illnesses, at the age of 78.[11] The film Muppets Most Wanted was dedicated to him and Jane Henson (who also died aged 78).

Filmography

Year Title Roles Notes
1970–2012Sesame StreetCount von Count (1972–2012), Herry Monster (1970–2003), Biff, Two-Headed Monster (left head, 1979–2000), Sherlock Hemlock, Snuffy (1971–1978), Frazzle, The Amazing Mumford (1971–2011), Mr. Johnson (1971–2012), Fred the Wonder Horse, Old MacDonald, Farley, Herbert Birdsfoot, SAM the Robot (1972–1976), The Big Bad Wolf (1973–2011), Additional Muppets
1976–1981The Muppet ShowFloyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Pops, Louis Kazagger, Camilla the Chicken, Uncle Deadly, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Slim Wilson, Bruno, Fleet Scribbler, Additional Muppets
1977 Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas Emmet Otter, Weasel, Doc Bullfrog, Melissa Rabbit, Yancy Woodchuck
1979The Muppet MovieFloyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, Count von Count, Herry Monster, Biff, Mr. Johnson, Herbert Birdsfoot, Additional Muppets
1981The Great Muppet CaperPops, Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand, Louis Kazagger, Slim Wilson, Additional MuppetsPuppeteer/voice; Nelson also made a cameo as a man walking in a park alongside his daughter, Christine
1982The Dark CrystalRitual Master skekZok and the Dying Emperor
1983–1987Fraggle RockGobo Fraggle, Pa Gorg, Marjory the Trash Heap, Architect Doozer, Feenie Fraggle, Uncle Gobo, Additional Muppets
1984The Muppets Take ManhattanFloyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, Count von Count, Herry Monster, Biff, Additional Muppets
1985Sesame Street Presents Follow That BirdCount von Count, Herry Monster, Biff
1986The Christmas ToyBalthazar
1987A Muppet Family ChristmasEmily Bear, Robin the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Count von Count, Herry Monster, Gobo Fraggle, Camilla, Two-Headed Monster (Left-Head), Additional Muppets
1989The Jim Henson HourBeard, Orange Extreme, Evil McBad, Additional MuppetsNelson also made various cameos on the show
1990The Muppets Celebrate Jim HensonRobin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Floyd Pepper, Gobo Fraggle, Additional Muppets
1992The Muppet Christmas CarolTiny Tim Cratchet (Robin the Frog), Jacob Marley (Statler), Lew Zealand, Ghost of Christmas Present, Ma Fozziwig, Additional Muppets
1996Muppet Treasure IslandMad Monty, Blind Pew, Statler, Lew Zealand, Floyd Pepper, Calico, Additional MuppetsNelson also makes a credited cameo as a butler
1996–1998Muppets TonightStatler, Lew Zealand, Mama Fiama, Dr. Watson, Clarissa, The Mad Bomber, Phil, The Head of The Network, Additional Muppets
1999Muppets from SpaceUbergonzo, Statler, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Floyd Pepper, Additional Muppets
The Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandCount von Count, Mr. Johnson, Grouch Mayor, Grouch Cop, Pestie, Additional Muppets
2011The MuppetsTelethon AnnouncerUncredited; Final performance.

References

  1. Nelson, Jerry Tough Pigs interview with Jerry Nelson
  2. "Fraggles, Monsters, Squirrels, and Frogs Play Carnegie Hall « Muppet Fans Who Grew Up – ToughPigs". Toughpigs.com. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  3. "Truro Daydreams - Jerry Nelson". DigStation.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010.
  4. "List of people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis". enotes.com. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  5. "Muppet puppeteer Jerry Nelson dies at 78". Washington Post.
  6. "Jerry Nelson, Count of 'Sesame Street,' dies at 78". 26 March 2015.
  7. "Jerry Nelson, Voice of The Count on Sesame Street, Dies at 78".
  8. Day, Patrick Kevin (24 August 2012). "'Sesame Street' puppeteer Jerry Nelson dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  9. "Jerry Nelson Dead: Muppet Performer Dies At 78". moviefone. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  10. Corcoran, Sean (12 September 2012). "Remembering Muppeteer Jerry Nelson". Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  11. "Jerry Nelson 1934-2012 « ToughPigs — Muppet Fans Who Grew Up". Toughpigs.com. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
Preceded by
None
Performer of Count von Count
1972 – 2012
Succeeded by
Matt Vogel
Preceded by
None
Performer of Mr. Johnson
1972 – 2012
Succeeded by
Matt Vogel
Preceded by
Richard Hunt
Performer of Two-Headed Monster (left head)
1979 – 2000
Succeeded by
Joey Mazzarino
Preceded by
None
Performer of Mommy Snuffleupagus
1970s
Succeeded by
Martin P. Robinson
Preceded by
None
Performer of Sal Minella
1996
Succeeded by
Brian Henson
Preceded by
Jim Henson
Performer of The Muppet Newsman
1996
Succeeded by
Brian Henson
Preceded by
None
Performer of Mulch
1980s
Succeeded by
Kevin Clash
Preceded by
None
Performer of Robin the Frog
1971 – 2003
Succeeded by
Matt Vogel
Preceded by
None
Performer of The Amazing Mumford
1971 – 2011
Succeeded by
John Kennedy
Preceded by
None
Performer of Floyd Pepper
1975 – 2003, 2008
Succeeded by
John Kennedy
Preceded by
None
Performer of Herry Monster
1970 – 2003
Succeeded by
Tyler Bunch
Preceded by
John Lovelady
Performer of Crazy Harry
1976; 1977 – 2003
Succeeded by
Rickey Boyd
Preceded by
None
Performer of Camilla the Chicken
1978 – 2003
Succeeded by
Alice Dinnean
Preceded by
None
Performer of Lew Zealand
1978 – 2003
Succeeded by
Bill Barretta
Preceded by
None
Performer of Uncle Deadly
1976 – 1979
Succeeded by
Matt Vogel
Preceded by
None
Performer of Pops
1980 – 2002
Succeeded by
Matt Vogel
Preceded by
None
Performer of Miss Piggy
1974
Succeeded by
Fran Brill
Preceded by
Richard Hunt
Performer of Statler
1975, 1992 – 2003
Succeeded by
Steve Whitmire
Preceded by
None
Performer of Dr. Julius Strangepork
1977 – 2003
Succeeded by
Matt Vogel
Preceded by
None
Performer of Mr. Snuffleupagus
1971 – 1978
Succeeded by
Michael Earl Davis
Preceded by
None
Performer of Gobo Fraggle
1983 – 1987
Succeeded by
John Tartaglia
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