Few entertainers have shaped the childhoods and cinematic experiences of multiple generations quite like Frank Oz. Born Frank Richard Oznowicz on May 25, 1944, in Hereford, England, to puppeteer parents, he was immersed in the world of performance from a very young age. The family relocated to the United States, settling in Oakland, California, where Oz honed his craft as a teenage apprentice puppeteer. Though he initially harbored ambitions of becoming a journalist, his life took a definitive turn in 1963 when he was hired by Jim Henson, joining what would become the legendary Jim Henson Company.

Oz’s contributions to Sesame Street and The Muppet Show are nothing short of iconic. From 1969 onward, he brought to life a trio of the most beloved characters in children’s television: the insatiable, cookie-loving Cookie Monster, the grumpy yet lovable Bert, and the endearingly shy Grover. On The Muppet Show, which ran from 1976 to 1981, his range was astonishing, performing the diva-esque Miss Piggy, the perpetually nervous Fozzie Bear, the manic drummer Animal, and the pompous Sam the Eagle. These characters, performed with masterful physicality and distinct voices, became cultural touchstones, cementing Oz’s status as one of the greatest puppeteers of all time. He continued to perform these roles for decades, officially stepping away from Sesame Street in 2013.

Oz’s talents extended far beyond the Muppet universe, most notably into a galaxy far, far away. George Lucas hired him to perform and voice the iconic Jedi Master Yoda, beginning with The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. Oz’s performance, imbued with wisdom, mischief, and a unique vocal cadence, turned the puppet into one of the most revered characters in cinema history. He would reprise the role in seven subsequent films, including Return of the Jedi, the prequel trilogy, and The Last Jedi, as well as various other media, maintaining the character’s profound impact for over four decades.

Alongside his performing career, Oz established himself as a highly successful director. He made his directorial debut with the dark fantasy epic The Dark Crystal in 1982, which he co-directed with Jim Henson. He followed this by directing The Muppets Take Manhattan in 1984. His transition to live-action filmmaking was seamless, helming a string of critically and commercially successful comedies. His filmography includes the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors (1986), the sophisticated con-man comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, and the beloved psychological comedy What About Bob? (1991) with Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. He continued to direct throughout the 1990s and 2000s with films like In & Out (1997), the Hollywood satire Bowfinger (1999) starring Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin, the heist thriller The Score (2001), and Death at a Funeral (2007). His directorial work is known for its sharp comedic timing and strong character performances. In 2011, he directed an episode of the television series Leverage. Frank Oz’s legacy is that of a singular artist whose work in puppetry, voice performance, and film direction has brought joy, wisdom, and laughter to audiences worldwide.