John Kennedy (puppeteer)

John Kennedy
Born (1967-11-17) November 17, 1967 (age 57)
Plainfield, Indiana, U.S.
OccupationPuppeteer
Years active1991–present

John Kennedy (born November 17, 1967) is an American puppeteer. He is known for his work with The Jim Henson Company since 1990.[1] He was born in Plainfield, Indiana.[2] In 1991, Kennedy succeeded Henson in the role of Dr. Teeth, after which Bill Barretta took over in 2005. In 2006, he performed Kermit the Frog on the Disney Cruise Line show, Muppets Ahoy![3]

Filmography

Film

Year(s) Production Role Other notes
1999 Muppets from Space Additional Muppets, Fozzie Bear, Sam Eagle Assistant performer
2001 Cats & Dogs Puppeteer
2002 The Country Bears Zeb Zoobler
Kermit's Swamp Years Arnie the Alligator, Blotch the Bullfrog, Monkey Performer; Direct-to-video film
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie Dr. Teeth Performer; Television film
2005 The Muppets' Wizard of Oz Angel Marie, Floyd Pepper
2009 Old Dogs Puppeteer

Television

Year(s) Production Role Other notes
1991–94 Dinosaurs Baby Sinclair, Sid Turtlepuss Puppeteer
1995 Eureeka's Castle Assistant performer
1996–1998 The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss Little Cat C, Horton the Elephant, Mr. Knox, Norval the Fish, Sam-I-Am, Felix Finkledooper, Milo, Alvin, Announcer, Armand, Birthday Bird, Celli, Delivery Bird, Downer Than Down Whozit, Earl, Flitzpizzle, The Grinch Performer
1996 Muppets Tonight Additional Muppets
1997–2020 Sesame Street Chicken, Dish, Fred, Ned The Green, Four-net Horn Player, Ball of Wax, Artie Abrams, Muppet Horse, The Elephant, Monkey Bunny, Additional Muppet
1998–99 Brats of the Lost Nebula Puppeteer
2002 Play with Me Sesame Performer
2003 Animal Jam DJ #1
2005–07 Jack's Big Music Show Mel
2010–11 Pajanimals Apollo
2017 Julie's Greenroom Toby the Dog
2019 Helpsters Uncle Squish Performer; 1 episode
2019–2021 The Slugs & Bugs Show Morty the Raccoon Performer
2020 The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo

Video games

Year(s) Title Role Notes
1996 Muppet Treasure Island Dr. Teeth Voice
2000 Muppet RaceMania
2003 Muppets Party Cruise Dr. Teeth, Animal

Other appearances

Year(s) Title Role Notes
2017 The Muppets Take the Bowl Additional Muppets Performer
2018 The Muppets Take the O2

Books

Kennedy has written instructional books on puppeteering, aimed at younger audiences:[4]

  • John Kennedy (2004-01-04). Puppet Mania!. North Light Books. ISBN 978-1-58180-372-3.
  • John Kennedy (2006-04-26). Puppet Planet: The Most Amazing Puppet-Making Book in the Universe. North Light Books. ISBN 978-1-58180-794-3.

References

  1. ^ "See puppets in motion at Orlando museum today". The Orlando Sentinel. April 3, 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  2. ^ Ehret, Michael (November 17, 1995). "Puppeteer returns and steals show". The Indianapolis Star. p. C3. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  3. ^ Sanders, Scott (2019-10-22). "Muppets Ahoy! • The Disney Cruise Line Blog". The Disney Cruise Line Blog. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  4. ^ Gamble, Harriet (2000). "Puppet Revolutionary: An Interview with John E. Kennedy". Arts & Activities. 127 (5): 38. ISSN 0004-3931.
  • US 6540581, Kennedy, John Edward, "Puppet construction kit and method of making a personalized hand operated puppet", published 2003-04-01 
Preceded by Performer of Dr. Teeth
1991–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of The Amazing Mumford
2004; 2018–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Floyd Pepper
2005–2006 		Succeeded by


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