Today’s Google doodle is a tribute to Jim Henson, the famous puppeteer, performer in “Sesame Street” and “The Muppets Show”. Jim Henson was also a screenwriter, film director, Oscar nominated television producer and Emmy award winner.

Jim Henson was born on September 24, 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi. A studio arts graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, he was an innovative artist that changed the puppetry by using characters made of foam rubber covered with fabric and rods that moved the puppets’ arms, making them more expressive.

He started to work on Sesame Street, a show for children that was a huge television success. Jim Henson worked later on the comedy series Saturday Night Live (SNL) and The Muppets Show, both for the adult audience.

Jim Henson died of bacterial pneumonia on May 16, 1990.

The Google logo was replaced by a doodle of six animated characters created by Jim Henson.