Frank Oz: praise from a fan

[muppetfan89]

Much has been said about Frank Oz' estrangement from the Muppets in recent years. Even though I would like to see him in some sort of production capacity, I fully respect and understand his choices. This is a blurb that touches on just a bit of his Muppety and film accomplishments over the years. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings too!

Frank Oz ​

Richard Frank Oznowicz was born May 25, 1944 in Hereford, England to puppeteer parents who were also Holocaust refugees. He moved to California at the age of five and eventually attended college in Oakland. He became a professional puppeteer during his teenage years and assisted Jim Henson with Rowlf the Dog on the Jimmy Dean Show in 1963.

Frank's work with Jim led to commercials, specials, Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, the performing of Star Wars character Yoda, Muppet movies and much more. His skills in special effects and directorial duties in the Dark Crystal and the Muppets Take Manhattan made him the perfect fit for Little Shop of Horrors in 1986. That film his directorial debut away from the Henson Company. He continued his work with the Muppets during this time and went on to direct Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 1988.

Oz focused more on his career as a director after Jim Henson’s sudden death in 1990. Credits include What About Bob? HouseSitter, the Indian in the Cupboard, In & Out, Bowfinger, the Score, the Stepford Wives and most recently Death at a Funeral.

Frank popped in to perform a little with the when he could but ended up dubbing his classic voices more than actually providing the entire dedicated and brilliant performances of his pre-90s work. This includes the Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppets Tonight, some brief television appearances, Muppet Treasure Island before pretty much ending things with Muppets From Space. It is said that he makes the rare trip Sesame Street for a few sketches here and there, but after spending nearly forty years in the Muppet trenches he’s considered mostly retired. Many fans have a difficult time admitting this truth because it is such a hard one to swallow.

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact date Oz actually stepped away from his performing duties because it is more of a fading that occurred throughout the 90s and by the early 2000s. The tradition of his characters is kept alive in the skillful hands of Eric Jacobson for Fozzie, Piggy and Grover (among others) and David Rudman who does a very convincing Cookie Monster. Some critics have even ignorantly remarked how well Oz was carrying on the tradition even after his unofficial exit.

The truth is that nobody can achieve the skills that come so naturally to Frank Oz. There’s a special spontaneity, wit and life that no one can ever match. That spark had been nearly snuffed out with the dubbing of his dialogue while others performed his characters. It’s best they have been recast and the new performers are carrying on the tradition beautifully. We actually get to see more of his beloved characters these days.

Much of the Muppet team has changed over the decades. I remarked during the last special that the only original Electric Mayhem performer left is Dave Goelz with Zoot (and he’s the one that doesn’t speak much). To my knowledge, neither the Hensons nor Oz are stockholders in the Muppets brand since the Disney sale. Jim Henson and Richard Hunt are no longer with us and Jerry Nelson has moved on with the exception of a rare Count appearance. It is an honor that Steve Whitmire and Dave Goelz still put in the time and that later additions Bill Barretta and Eric Jacobson are solidly committed to their Muppeteering craft.

Not many people hold one job for four decades before retiring from everything. Frank Oz has given us enough laughs and entertainment to last us several lifetimes. He has honored us with his gifts and deserves only praise for his years of Muppet service. Thank you Mr. Oz!

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You said it perfectly. I love Frank Oz as well. People often say Jim was a genius. That's very true, but I also fell that Frank is a genius as well, both as a performer and director. I mean when he performed, he was just brillant, on and off camera. As far as film directing goes, he knows what he's doing and he shows that. I just saw Death at a Funeral, and I thought it was a brilliant comedy that was well done by Frank. I hope he plans to make more films. I also hope that one day, there will be a DVD set with all his films, something like, "The Frank Oz Collection." That would be great!