Remembering Jerry Nelson (July 10, 1934-August 23, 2012)

[Yorick]

Convincing John, that was very touching, and I thank you for sharing. I feel like collecting all my thoughts and writing something...but it's difficult. You said it best:

a fresh set of tears turned the computer screen into a shapeless, glowing blob.

That's how this feels, and I'm sure more than a few of us had this exact experience...thank you again for expressing your feelings in this difficult time. I know I relate to your post very much. There are no words to accurately express how it feels after a loss of someone you've known all your life through their characters...and in the last 10 years I've learned about the great man himself, and how wonderful he was.

I want to honor Jerry by sharing some of his work. I had planned to share this work Jerry did as soon as I acquired it, but I never got around to it.

All links expire on Sept 10th 2012, so go get 'em.

Here are two performances of his that aren't on his CD (though I added them to the end of the track list on my mp3 player as bonus tracks).

11 All My Life
http://wtrns.fr/lvhOavKv39EWkbg

12 The Carioca
http://wtrns.fr/y_wqWUGV4IJjcim

And here's his 2000 appearance as Little Jerry on Sesame Street...sorry, but I only have the 3 parts I am sharing here:

He's mostly in part 1:
http://wtrns.fr/1iM5PgE7prLQeo

Doesn't seem to be in part 2:
http://wtrns.fr/Rtca18UD2DeeqvA

He's seen shortly in part 3:
http://wtrns.fr/0RfiZbMIUhxEVz

I assume it's from the same episode as "When You Move The Mouse" but I'm not sure.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to upload these clips to their youtube channel or whatever, because it seems I haven't heard of a SS clip being removed yet, and I certainly don't claim to own them, and I know my fellow fans here just want to spread the great work of all the Muppeteers, and honor the wonderful Jerry Nelson, who will always live on in our hearts.

 

[Redsonga]

It's all so sad I don't even know what to say.

 

[Pinkflower7783]

That's why I just made a Memorial video to express how I felt about his passing. I'm not really good at writing my thoughts on paper or on screen...this is gonna sting for a long time but at least we have the memories. And the spirit of Jerry will live on in the characters he performed forever. No MATTER WHO takes over.

 

[Yorick]

Phillip said: "Muppet legend, once-in-a-lifetime voice, irreplaceable soul, dear friend... Jerry Nelson has passed. We remember... and will never forget."
Such a strong, true, meaningful statement made in just two sentences. I really appreciate it, and I agree 100%. And then of course more truth with "He loved to sing and share his music with all of us." and "Love all the people in your life. Our time here is so short." Thank you again for this post.

Along with feeling so very sad over this loss, my thoughts are with his wife and everyone that loves him. It's hard enough being a fan who never met him, so it must be even more difficult for his loved ones.

If all new Muppet activity stopped today, and stopped forever, Jerry would still live on in his work, because the spirit in his art is that wonderful and strong, period.

 

[Pinkflower7783]

We might not have met him personally but in some ways I think we did. It's hard to put into words but I think we all know who they are personally in someways maybe not physically but spiritually, and mentally I think we do.

 

[RC1979]

Stephanie D’Abruzzo has posted about Jerry's passing on her personal blog - http://stephaniedabruzzo.blogspot.ca/2012/08/jerry.html

Also, Pam Arciero posted this message to the O'Neil Puppetry Conference Facebook Page earlier tonight:


There have been many, many comments from friends and colleagues of Jerry's on Twitter since his passing (search Twitter for "RIP Jerry Nelson" or just "Jerry Nelson") and a lot of comments on Facebook as well.

I found one reaction from Whoopi Goldberg http://twitter.com/WhoopiGoldberg/status/239074242317127680

 

[FrackleFan2012]

Here's a tribute painting to Jerry Nelson made by Justin H. Piatt.
http://girlinfourcolors.com/post/30123041077/rip-jerry-nelson

 

[FrackleFan2012]

Here's tribute artwork to Jerry Nelson made by Chandra Free.

 

[AlittleMayhem]

Oh, wow, that is cool!

 

[MelissaY1]

I've been beside myself on hearing of Jerry's recent passing but I've been enjoying reading everyone's thoughts and memories of him. People have been posting wonderful photos of him on Facebook, etc. I'm also very happy to see alot of the major news sites and media outlets reporting on him and giving him coverage.

I've only met Jerry twice in person now and have talked to him a few times online over the years, but I am blessed to have had those opportunities. Just to give a brief example of the kind of guy he is, about a month ago on Facebook, I thanked him for his time chatting with me and my fiance before the Henson concert at Carnegie Hall back in April. His last words to me were: "Thanks, Melissa. That was a lovely day and chatting with you was one of the elements that made it perfect." I have since printed that out and have it posted above my desk at work to get me through rough days here on the job.

He will be sorely missed.