Karen Prell

Karen Leigh Prell (born July 26, 1959) is an American puppeteer and animator. She was the performer of Red Fraggle in Fraggle Rock.[1]

Karen Prell
Karen Prell and Red Fraggle at San Diego Comic-Con.
Born
Karen Leigh Prell

(1959-07-26) July 26, 1959
Florida, U.S.
OccupationPuppeteer, animator
Years active1980–present
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1988; div. 2004)​
Websitewww.karenprell.com

Early life and career

Prell was born on 26 July 1959 in Florida but grew up in Seattle, Washington. She also performed some characters in other Jim Henson films and has enjoyed a significant second career as a computer animator for such studios as Pixar and DNA. On Sesame Street, she performed Deena Monster, as well as several background and one-off characters. She performed on the show from 1980–1981 for seasons 11 and 12, then returned in 2019 for season 50. She also performed in the 2003 attraction Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic. Her website includes notes about working with Jim Henson and pictures of her custom puppets.

She was an animator for Geri’s Game and also worked on animation of A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2.[2]

Prell also works as an animator with Valve.[3]

Outside of her works on shows, Prell has made public appearances performing Red Fraggle, like appearances at Comic Con. At Dragon Con 2013, Karen Prell was joined by fellow puppeteer Kathryn Mullen as part of the 30th Anniversary of Fraggle Rock where they performed their respective characters. She returned to perform Red Fraggle again for the 2020 Apple TV+ reboot Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, and the upcoming reboot of the series, of which she is also co-executive producer.

Personal life

Prell married fellow Muppeteer Mike Quinn. They lived for a decade in England before moving to California to work for Pixar. Since divorcing in 2004, Prell and Quinn have continued to work together on different projects, usually involving the Muppets.

Filmography

Television
  • Fraggle Rock – Red Fraggle, Wingnut Doozer, Fluffinella, Baby Tree Creature, Beastie, Judge Gavel Doozer, Marley Fraggle, Modem Doozer, Additional Muppets
  • Jim Henson's Animal Show – Ollie the Tapir, Tizzie the Bee (1994–1995), Alexis the Giraffe, Arlene the Aardvark, Bernice the Warthog, Blanche the Manatee, Charlotte the Penguin, Hettie the Hedgehog, Hillary the Owl, Kasey the Kangaroo, Leah the Fruit Bat, Lydia the Ostrich, Rhonda the Raccoon
  • Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories – Yellow Gosling, Cat (in "Tommy Tucker"), Little Boy Blue's Mother (in "Boy Blue"), Cow (in "Boy Blue"), Topiary Peacock (in "Dicky Birds"), Peter the Dicky Bird (in "Dicky Birds"), Old Mother Hubbard (in "Mother Hubbard"), Peter's Wife (in "Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater")
  • Sesame Street – Deena, Masha, Additional Muppets
  • The Ghost of Faffner Hall – Mimi
  • The Muppet Show – Robin (episode 108), Frog (episode 103), Additional Muppets

Film

Events
  • The Muppets Take the Bowl – Additional Muppet Performer (live show at the Hollywood Bowl, 8–10 Sept. 2017)
  • The Muppets Take the O2 - Additional Muppet Performer (live show at the O2 Arena, 13-14 Jul. 2018)

Animator

Film[4]

Video Games

References
  1. Falk, Karen (7 November 2012). Imagination Illustrated: The Jim Henson Journal. Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-1-4521-0582-6.
  2. Muppet Central Archives interview with Prell, 1998
  3. Credits for The Orange Box. Reproduced at Mobygames.
  4. From website.
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