Net Worth Ranker
What Was Jim Henson’s Net Worth?
At the time of his untimely death in 1990, Jim Henson, the creative genius behind the Muppets and “Fraggle Rock,” had a net worth estimated at $100 million. This substantial wealth was a testament to his prolific career as a puppeteer, screenwriter, film director, and producer.
Jim Henson’s Early Career and the Rise of the Muppets
James Maury Henson was born on September 24, 1936, in Greenville, Mississippi. His early life was marked by a growing fascination with puppetry and television. While attending Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, Henson started creating puppets for a local television show, showcasing his nascent talent and entrepreneurial spirit. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for his later success.
Henson’s foray into television continued during his college years at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he initially studied studio arts before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in home economics. It was during this time that he created “Sam and Friends,” a short-form puppet show that aired on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. This show introduced the world to an early version of Kermit the Frog, a character that would later become synonymous with Henson’s brand of whimsical entertainment. Although specific financial figures from this early stage of his career are not publicly available, “Sam and Friends” was a crucial stepping stone in establishing Henson’s presence in the entertainment industry.
In 1963, after nearly two decades of honing his craft, Henson established Muppets, Inc., which would later be renamed The Jim Henson Company. This marked a pivotal moment in his career, as he began to consolidate his creative endeavors under a single banner. During this period, the character Rowlf the Dog gained national exposure through frequent appearances on “The Jimmy Dean Show,” further solidifying Henson’s reputation as a master puppeteer and comedic innovator. The exact revenue generated by these early appearances is not documented, but they undoubtedly contributed to the growing recognition of Henson’s work.
By 1969, Jim Henson had become an integral part of “Sesame Street,” a groundbreaking children’s television program that revolutionized educational programming. Henson played a key role in creating many of the show’s most iconic characters, including Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Bert and Ernie. While Henson’s exact compensation for his work on “Sesame Street” is not publicly known, it is safe to assume that it was a significant source of income, given the show’s immense popularity and cultural impact. Moreover, Henson retained ownership of the Muppet characters he developed for “Sesame Street,” splitting merchandising revenue with the Children’s Television Workshop (later renamed Sesame Workshop), the non-profit organization that produced the show. This arrangement allowed Henson to benefit financially from the widespread appeal of his creations.
The Muppet Show and Beyond
In the 1970s, Henson sought to broaden his audience beyond children’s programming. He began collaborating with “Saturday Night Live,” contributing to the show’s edgy and irreverent humor with his Muppet characters. While the specific financial details of Henson’s involvement with “Saturday Night Live” are not readily available, it was undoubtedly a valuable opportunity to showcase his versatility and appeal to a wider demographic.
In the mid-1970s, Jim Henson embarked on what would become one of the most successful ventures of his career: “The Muppet Show.” This variety show, featuring a cast of colorful and eccentric Muppets, quickly became a global phenomenon, captivating audiences of all ages with its blend of humor, music, and heartwarming storytelling. “The Muppet Show” spawned numerous feature films, including “The Muppet Movie” (1979), which grossed over $76 million at the box office. The success of “The Muppet Movie” and subsequent films, such as “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981) and “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984), significantly contributed to Jim Henson’s net worth. While the exact royalties and profits that Henson earned from these films are not publicly disclosed, they were undoubtedly substantial.
In addition to “The Muppet Show” and its spin-offs, Jim Henson also explored other creative avenues. He collaborated with George Lucas on “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), helping to create the iconic character of Yoda. He also directed “The Dark Crystal” (1982) and “Labyrinth” (1986), two visually stunning and imaginative fantasy films that showcased his artistic vision. While “The Dark Crystal” was a financial and critical success, grossing over $40 million worldwide, “Labyrinth” was less successful at the box office, grossing around $34 million. Nevertheless, both films have since gained a cult following and continue to be appreciated for their innovative puppetry and unique storytelling.
During his career, Jim Henson also engaged in various philanthropic activities. Details of these are not always public, but he was well-known for his charitable contributions. He was also honored with numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry. These accolades further cemented his legacy as a visionary artist and innovator.
Failed Disney Deal and Company Transactions
A year before his death, Jim Henson was in talks to sell his production studio to The Walt Disney Company for $150 million (equivalent to approximately $300 million today, accounting for inflation). This deal would have also included a lucrative 15-year contract for Henson’s creative services. However, the deal would not have included the rights to the Muppet characters he developed for “Sesame Street,” which Henson owned personally. He owned the rights to these characters, but he split the merchandising revenue with the Children’s Television Workshop, the nonprofit that produced “Sesame Street” (which was later renamed Sesame Workshop).
Upon Jim Henson’s death in May 1990, control of The Jim Henson Company passed in equal parts to his five children: Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, Brian Henson, John Henson, and Heather Henson. The negotiations with Disney were ultimately canceled in December 1990, as the Henson family and Disney could not come to terms. The specific reasons for the breakdown in negotiations have not been publicly disclosed.
In 2000, the Henson family sold The Jim Henson Company to EM.TV & Merchandising AG, a German entertainment/media conglomerate, for $680 million. However, this transaction proved to be short-lived, as EM.TV’s stock collapsed within a year. In 2003, the Henson family was able to re-acquire their assets for just $83 million, a fraction of the original sale price. During EM.TV’s ownership, the rights to the “Sesame Street” Muppets were sold to Sesame Workshop, the non-profit that produces several “Sesame Street”-related productions. The exact financial terms of this transaction were not disclosed.
In 2004, the Henson family sold the rights to the Muppets to Walt Disney in a deal reportedly worth over $200 million. This acquisition allowed Disney to integrate the Muppets into its vast portfolio of entertainment properties. Following the contract signing, the term “Muppet” became a legal trademark of Walt Disney, although Sesame Workshop retained the right to use the term thanks to a separate agreement with Disney. The specific details of this agreement remain confidential.
Personal Life and Death
Jim Henson married Jane Nebel in 1959. They remained together until their divorce in 1986. Over the course of their relationship, they had five children: Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, Brian Henson, John Henson, and Heather Henson. All of whom became closely involved in Jim Henson’s various projects. Although Henson and Nebel eventually separated, they remained close until his passing in 1990. Jim’s son Brian Henson serves as the current chairman of The Jim Henson Company. Brian is married to “Ferris Bueller” actress Mia Sara.
In May 1990, Jim Henson developed a sore throat. Initially, he believed it would resolve on its own. However, his condition worsened over the following days. On May 15th, he woke up at 2 AM and coughed up blood. Despite recognizing the severity of his condition, he initially refused to seek medical attention, prioritizing his work. Two hours later, he was finally taken to the hospital. He stopped breathing shortly after arriving. Doctors managed to place him on a ventilator and treat him for multiple abscesses in his chest resulting from a bacterial infection. Although medical professionals administered high doses of antibiotics in an attempt to combat the infection, the treatment had the unfortunate side effect of damaging his organs. Tragically, Jim was unable to recover and passed away on May 16, 1990. One expert stated that if he had sought medical attention and received antibiotics just a few hours earlier, his chances of survival would have been significantly higher. The loss of Jim Henson was deeply felt throughout the entertainment industry and beyond.
