Frank Oz is 70, tomorrow

Frank Oz directed films such as The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), What About Bob? (1991), Housesitter (1992), and In & Out (1997).

Also O for Oz with ABC Wednesday, Round 15:

frank_ozMiss Piggy and Fozzie Bear on The Muppet Show. Cookie Monster, Bert, and Grover in Sesame Street. These were all creatures performed and co-created by Frank Oz, born Frank Richard Oznowicz. He has also performed Sam Eagle and Animal on the Muppet Show, and Yoda in the Star Wars movies.

Sesame Street, which I was too old to watch, but I did anyway; the various Muppet TV shows and movies; and the original Star Wars trilogy have brought me hours of joy.

I’ve indicated my favorite Muppets recently, all originally voiced by the late Jim Henson. But what would Ernie be without Bert? The Pig has added new dimensions to Kermit’s personality. Henson and Oz were almost each other’s alter egos.

Oz directed a few films that I’ve watched and mostly enjoyed, including The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), What About Bob? (1991), Housesitter (1992), and In & Out (1997).

Yoda-speak is so distinctive that there is a Yoda-Speak Generator. Actually, more than one. People actually study Yoda’s peculiar subject-verb-object order that Oz captured so well.

There are tons of videos of Frank Oz doing these characters. I picked these two:
Frank Oz at work with Miss Piggy, Roger Moore, and Jim Henson
Peter Gzowski sits down with Frank Oz and Cookie Monster

I also liked hearing from the real Frank Oz.
A Conversation with Frank Oz Pt. 1, which starts with a video montage
Frank Oz speaks at the Jim Henson Memorial

Author: Roger

I'm a librarian. I hear music, even when it's not being played. I used to work at a comic book store, and it still informs my life. I won once on JEOPARDY! - ditto.

13 thoughts on “Frank Oz is 70, tomorrow”

  1. Birthday greetings to the talented Mr Oz.
    He’s brought so much joy to many people., I used to sit with our girls every Sunday and watch The Muppets Show, so funny and creative. Can’t even name a favourite as they were all so good,

    best wishes,
    Di x

    I’ve put my post up hope I’ve done it properly ? D.x

  2. Roger on checking my abcw post it seems I’d omitted a verse from my Ode along with some captions, just thought I’d let you know as you seem to like it !

    Di xx

  3. I did not know the voice behind some of my fave Sesame Street characters! I’m having muppet moment flashbacks right now – good memories!

  4. Another one to add to the diverse collection of people you have found having their 70th birthday this year. Love the Muppets.

  5. Frank Oz!! Director of our favorite movie, In & Out! We quote that movie all the time around the house.

    I know he is most often associated with the Muppets, but Oz will always be most noteworthy as a director, to me, at least! Nicely done, Roger. A

  6. Love Bert and Ernie, often wonder if they named them after Bert & Ernie (the cab drivers from It’s a Wonderful Life).
    Ann

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