Jerry Nelson (1934-2012), Muppeteer of many beloved characters, passed away yesterday at the age of 78.
Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Company, posted on the Jim Henson Company facebook page:
“Jerry Nelson imbued all his characters with the same gentle, sweet whimsy and kindness that were a part of his own personality. He joined The Jim Henson Company in the earliest years, and his unique contributions to the worlds of Fraggles, Muppets, Sesame Street and so many others are, and will continue to be, unforgettable. On behalf of the Henson family and everyone at The Jim Henson Company, our deepest sympathies go out to Jerry’s family and to his many fans.”
Nelson is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Count von Count (one apple, two apples, three apples ha ha ha ha!) on Sesame Street and Gobo Fraggle on Fraggle Rock. His last role was as an uncredited telethon announcer on The Muppets, released in 2011. He also provided the voice of Floyd Pepper of the Electric Mayhem Band, Kermit the Frog’s nephew Robin, Lew Zealand, Emmett Otter, and Camilla the Chicken.
He will be missed, and he joins the growing group of Muppet performers who have already left us, including Richard Hunt and the beloved irreplaceable Jim Henson.