Dave Goelz

He and Steve Whitmire are the only Muppeteers to have been featured in all 8 theatrical Muppet movies (Les Muppets : Ça c'est du cinéma ! (1979), La grande aventure des Muppets (1981), Les Muppets à Manhattan (1984), Noël chez les Muppets (1992), L'île au trésor des Muppets (1996), Les Muppets dans l'espace (1999), Les Muppets, le retour (2011) and Opération Muppets (2014)). Goelz and Whitmire also contributed to the two theatrical Sesame Street movies (Suivez cet oiseau (1985) and Elmo au pays des grincheux (1999)) and the two fantasy Henson-company theatrical productions (Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinthe (1986)).

Jim had five children of his own, and by nature was extremely playful. He related well to children because he could access that part of himself. The fascinating thing was that while he functioned as an astute businessman, he could integrate play into the process.

I now have children of my own, and have come to believe that we are all born perfect - well, maybe not absolutely perfect, but certainly completely without evil. As a parent, one of my goals is to see whether I can raise my children to survive in the world without losing that childlike innocence, trust, optimism, curiosity, and decency. I am certain it is possible because Jim was the living embodiment of it.