The Jim Henson Company

Overview

The Jim Henson Company is a preeminent independent entertainment studio recognized globally for its pioneering work in puppetry, animatronics, and character design. Founded in 1955 by Jim and Jane Henson, the company has evolved from a small-scale television partnership into a multifaceted production house that bridges traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technology. Today, the studio remains family-owned and operated, continuing the legacy of its founders through high-quality storytelling across film, television, streaming, and live performance.

Core Capabilities

• Production & IP Development: The company develops and produces scripted series, children's educational content, and fantasy feature films. Notable recent work includes the Academy Award-winning Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio and the Emmy-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.
• Jim Henson's Creature Shop: A world-renowned division specializing in the design and fabrication of practical creatures, animatronics, and puppets. The Shop serves both internal productions and external clients in film, advertising, and theme parks.
• Henson Digital Puppetry Studio: An Emmy-winning proprietary technology that enables real-time CG character performance, allowing puppeteers to drive digital characters with the spontaneity of live performance.
• Henson Alternative: A brand dedicated to mature-audience comedy and unscripted content, most notably the internationally touring improvisational puppet show Puppet Up! – Uncensored.

Corporate History

Following a period of corporate ownership by EM.TV & Merchandising AG, the Henson family repurchased the company in 2003. While the studio sold the rights to The Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House to The Walt Disney Company in 2004, it retained its core catalog—including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth—and continues to innovate within the fantasy and family entertainment genres. In late 2024, the company relocated its corporate headquarters to the Radford Studio Center in Studio City, California, consolidating its operations to better support its creative and fabrication teams.