John Henson, son of Muppet creator Jim Henson, died on February 14, 2014 after building an igloo in the snow outside his home in Saugerties, New York. His wife Gyongyi, whom he married in 1996, survives him. Two daughters, Katrina, age 15, and Sydney, age 10, also survive him, as do his siblings Lisa, Cheryl, Bryan, and Heather.
He was preceded in death by his famous father in 1990, and his mother, Jane Henson, on April 2, 2013. As an adult he worked for the Jim Henson Company where he was seen as an extremely talented puppeteer. He often appeared as the Sweetums character, and was also known to work as the Coca Cola polar bear. Following his father’s death, he became a shareholder and board member with the Jim Henson Company. His father demanded that he learn building skills as a teenager and John was passionate about building things.
One of his sisters described him as having “the deepest soul of any man alive; sensitive, artistic, and extremely compassionate, there was no limit to his love.” A family friend said “a most remarkably kind and generous man who gave so much and asked for so little. He infused us with the light of his inquisitive mind, the spirit of his keen intellect and the genius of his talent to create. John will forever be remembered and cherished and talked about and somewhere in the Universe he will be rejoiced.” A private funeral service is planned. No announcement has been made about what will be done with his board seat.