Full Name=James Maury Henson, Profession=American puppeteer, filmmaker, animator, director, and television producer, celebrated worldwide as the visionary creator of the Muppets and a pioneer who transformed puppetry into a sophisticated art form for television and film, Nationality=American, Born=September 24, 1936, Birthplace=Greenville, Mississippi, United States, Generation= Silent Generation (born in 1936 within the commonly accepted Silent Generation range of the late 1920s to mid‑1940s), Chinese Zodiac=Fire Rat (Year of the Rat with fire element, corresponding to births between January 24 1936 and February 10 1937), Zodiac Sign=Libra (the Sun entering Libra around September 24 in the Western tropical zodiac), Age in 2026=90 (he would have been ninety years old in 2026 based on his 1936 birth year), Marital Status=Married in 1959 to fellow puppeteer and creative partner Jane Ann Nebel Henson, with the couple later separating in 1986 yet remaining close friends and collaborators without formally divorcing, Children=Five children (Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, Brian Henson, John Henson, and Heather Henson), Description=Henson rose from a fascinated young television viewer in Maryland to become one of the most influential figures in global entertainment, developing a troupe of soft, expressive puppet characters that blended humor, warmth, and emotional subtlety, coining the term “Muppets” and bringing them to prominence through variety shows, commercials, and eventually a worldwide franchise; his creations—including beloved figures such as Kermit the Frog and other Muppet characters—became cultural icons, and his work on educational programming like Sesame Street helped shape generations of children by using puppetry to teach literacy, numeracy, and social skills on television around the world; as an innovator, he constantly pushed technical and artistic boundaries in puppetry, experimenting with new materials, camera techniques, and storytelling approaches, expanding from short television spots into full‑length shows and films, and building a creative company culture that nurtured other performers and artists; he was widely honored during his lifetime, recognized not only for entertaining audiences but for redefining what children’s and family programming could be, influencing television, film, merchandising, and theme‑park entertainment, and leaving a legacy that continues through The Jim Henson Company, the Jim Henson Foundation, and the enduring popularity of his characters; Cause of Death: Henson died in New York City on May 16, 1990, at age 53 after a sudden, severe Group A streptococcal infection that progressed to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome with bacterial pneumonia and sepsis, causing multi‑organ failure despite late emergency treatment, a widely reported medical tragedy that underscored the dangers of untreated serious infections.