Memorial Celebrity: Jim Henson

Jim Henson - Google Pays Tribute On Jim Henson's 75Th Birthday

On what would've marked the 75th birthday of the creator of much-loved puppets 'The Muppets,' Google paid tribute to Jim Henson yesterday (24/9) by making its latest Google Doodle an interactive puppet show featuring six original characters.

By using their mouse and keyboards, users could make the characters do a range of things, including look around and open their mouths - in one instance you could even make a character devour one of the others, while the New York Times reports that a Youtube fan video showed that it was possible to make the digital puppets sing, his clip showing them singing along to Black Eyed Peas' 'Boom Boom Pow.'

75 years on from the birth of Henson and around 57 years since 'The Muppets' were initially conceived, both he and their legacy remains as strong as ever. The puppets are still extremely popular in spite of the advancement of first cartoons and then digital animation to change the world of film and television forever. 'Sesame Street,' perhaps 'The Muppets' most famous program, still airs while November will see the release of their first theatrical release since 1999's 'Muppets In Space.' Titled simply 'The Muppets,' the film echoes the television flick 'It's A Very Muppet Christmas Movie' in that the characters' Muppet Theatre faces closure and takeover, this time from oil tycoon Tex Richman (played by Chris Cooper.) With a cast including former ACADEMY AWARD nominee Amy Adams, it's a sign that though Henson may have passed away, his creation is still very much alive.

Gallery Jim Henson