10. Jim Henson (May 16th, 1990)
Jim Henson is remembered fondly for his creations Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the Sesame Street ensemble. Born on September 24th, 1936, Henson spent his youth in Mississippi until he moved to Maryland in 1940. When his family acquired a television, Henson was inspired by the early puppets and ventriloquists. In 1960, Henson was tasked to make a show for the WRC-TV, which would be the forerunner for The Muppets. Henson was married to Jane Nebel and had five children.
On May 16th, 1990, Henson had passed away due to toxic shock syndrome. Some, his mother included, believed that his Christian Science-based faith might have contributed to the puppeteer’s death. A few days before his death, Henson was coughing up blood and had trouble breathing. When asked to go to the hospital, he refused.
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