Frank Oz

Frank Oz
Oz at the 38th Annual Saturn Awards 2012
Born
Frank Richard Oznowicz

(1944-05-25) May 25, 1944 (age 79)
Hereford, Herefordshire, England
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materOakland City College
Occupations
  • Puppeteer
  • filmmaker
  • actor
Years active1961–present
Spouses
Robin Garsen
(m. 1979; div. 2005)
Victoria Labalme
(m. 2011)
Children4

Frank Oz (born Frank Richard Oznowicz; May 25, 1944) is an American puppeteer, filmmaker and actor. He is best known for his involvement with Jim Henson and the Muppets, Sesame Street, and Star Wars, as well as his directorial work in feature films and theater.

During his adolescence, Oz worked as an apprentice puppeteer in Oakland, California. Despite his interest in journalism, Oz continued his career as a puppeteer when he was hired by Jim Henson in 1963 to work for The Jim Henson Company where he went on to perform several characters in multiple television series and specials. Oz performed the Muppet characters of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam Eagle on The Muppet Show (1976–1981), and Cookie Monster, Bert, and Grover on Sesame Street (1969–2013). He also performed the character of Yoda in the Star Wars series, beginning with The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and reprising the role in six subsequent films and various media over the course of the next forty years.

His work as a director includes The Dark Crystal (1982), The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), What About Bob? (1991), In & Out (1997), Death at a Funeral (2007), and an episode of the US television series Leverage (2011).

Early life

Oz was born on May 25, 1944, in Hereford, Herefordshire, England; the son of Frances (née Ghevaert; 1910–1989) and Isadore Oznowicz (1916–1998), both of whom were puppeteers. Some of their puppets survived the war and were presented at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. His father was also a window trimmer. His parents moved to England where the father joined the Dutch Brigades. Oz's Dutch-Polish father was Jewish, and his Flemish mother was a Catholic. They left England when he was six months old and lived in Belgium until he was five. Oz and his family moved to Montana in 1951. They eventually settled in Oakland, California. Oz attended Oakland Technical High School and Oakland City College. He worked as an apprentice puppeteer at Children's Fairyland as a teenager with the Vagabond Puppets, a production of the Oakland Recreation Department, where Lettie Connell was his mentor.

Career

Performing

Oz performed as a puppeteer with Jim Henson’s Muppets. As a teenager, he worked with the Vagabond Puppets at the Children's Fairyland of Oakland, which is how he first met Henson. He was 19 when he joined Henson in New York to work on the Muppets in 1963. His characters have included Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam Eagle on The Muppet Show, and Cookie Monster, Bert and Grover on Sesame Street.

In addition to performing a variety of characters, Oz was one of the primary collaborators responsible for the development of the Muppets, known most notably for his chemistry with Jim Henson himself, performing in such pairings as: Ernie and Bert; Cookie Monster and Kermit the Frog; Kermit and Miss Piggy; Kermit and Fozzie Bear; Kermit and Grover; Ernie and Cookie Monster; Rowlf the Dog and Fozzie Bear; Rowlf and Miss Piggy, and The Swedish Chef (Henson performed the head and voice, with Oz normally operating the hands). Oz performed as a puppeteer in over 75 productions, including Labyrinth (as the Wiseman), video releases, and television specials, as well as countless other public appearances, episodes of Sesame Street, and other Jim Henson series. His puppetry work spans from 1963 to the present, although he semi-retired from performing his Muppets characters in 2001 (continuing to perform on Sesame Street on a yearly basis through 2012). In 2001, his characters were taken over primarily by Eric Jacobson (with David Rudman as Cookie Monster).

Oz explained why he decided on leaving the Muppets in a 2007 interview:

"One was that I was a dad, I have four kids. The reason was that I was constantly asked to do stuff. And also, I'd done this for 30 years, and I'd never wanted to be a puppeteer in the first place. I wanted to be a journalist, and really what I wanted to do was direct theatre and direct movies. So it was more a slow progression, working with Jim, but I felt limited. As an actor and a performer, you always feel limited because you're not the source of the creation, and I wanted to be the source. I wanted to be the guy and give my view of the world. And if I screw it up, I screw it up, but at least I tried. And as a director, what you're really showing is you're showing the audience your view of the world...I've always enjoyed, more than anything else in the world, bringing things to life, whether it's characters or actors in a scene or moments in movies. I've done so much with the puppets, that I'd always wanted to work with actors."

Oz is also known as the performer of Jedi Master Yoda from George Lucas' Star Wars series. Jim Henson had originally been contacted by Lucas about possibly performing Yoda. Henson was preoccupied and instead suggested Oz be assigned as the chief puppeteer of the character, as well as a creative consultant. Oz performed the puppet and provided the voice for Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Director Rian Johnson decided to return to using a puppet instead of using CGI in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), even using the original mold, because he felt CGI would not have worked as it was not true to the Yoda Luke knew in The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Oz also provided the voice of the computer-generated imagery (CGI) Yoda in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). The conversion to CGI was met with some criticism among fans, but Oz himself said that was "exactly what [Lucas] should have done." Oz had a great deal of creative input on the character and was himself responsible for creating the character's trademark syntax. Oz returned to voice Yoda in several Disney theme park attractions, Star Tours–The Adventures Continue and within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge as well as in the Star Wars Rebels episodes, "Path of the Jedi" and "Shroud of Darkness".

Oz voiced Yoda in the 2020 Oculus Quest VR game "Tales from the Galaxy's Edge" alongside original C-3PO voice actor Anthony Daniels.

He directed the 2017 documentary Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched in which he and other Muppet performers discuss working behind the scenes with Jim Henson and the Muppets.

Directing

Inspiration as a filmmaker came to Oz upon a viewing of the Orson Welles film Touch of Evil (1958), the director told Robert K. Elder in an interview for The Film That Changed My Life:

"I think it opened up my view of film – that there's so much more that could be done. Actually, by breaking so many rules, he allowed other people to say, 'Hey, I can maybe think of some stuff, too!' He just opened up the possibilities more for me. That's what he did."

Oz in 1984

Oz began his behind-the-camera work when he co-directed the fantasy film The Dark Crystal with long-time collaborator Jim Henson (Oz also puppeteered Aughra and the Skeksis Chamberlain in the film). The film featured the most advanced puppets ever created for a movie. Oz further employed those skills in directing 1984's The Muppets Take Manhattan, as well as sharing a screenwriting credit.

In 1986, he directed his first film that did not involve Henson, Little Shop Of Horrors. The musical film starred Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene, as well as Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, John Candy, Christopher Guest, Jim Belushi and a 15-foot-tall talking plant (voiced by Levi Stubbs) which, at its ultimate size, required up to 60 puppeteers to operate. The film allowed Oz to show his ability to work with live actors and led to opportunities to direct films that did not include puppetry.

Usually helming comedic productions, Oz went on to direct Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 1988, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine; What About Bob? in 1991, starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss; and Housesitter in 1992, starring Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn (all of which were scored by Miles Goodman). Later films include The Indian in the Cupboard (1995), In & Out (1997), Bowfinger (1999), The Score (2001), the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives, and the original Death at a Funeral (2007).

Oz has frequently experienced on-set tension while directing his films, notably during the productions of What About Bob?, In & Out, The Score and The Stepford Wives.

In 2016, Oz directed a one-man stage show titled In & Of Itself starring Derek DelGaudio, which had its world premiere at the Geffen Playhouse on May 16. In April 2017, with the financial backing by Neil Patrick Harris among others, the play began its Off-Broadway theatrical run, which was initially slated for 10 weeks, but ended up extending its run for 72 weeks. In October 2020, the streaming service Hulu purchased the rights to a live recording of the play, which debuted on January 22, 2021.

Unrealized projects

In the late 1980s, Oz was attached to direct a film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1922 short story "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" for Universal Pictures, with Martin Short slated to star. Oz dropped out of the project after he could not figure out how to make the story work.

Oz was also going to direct the 1990 film Mermaids after Lasse Hallström dropped out of the project. However, Oz also left the project due to creative differences and was ultimately replaced by Richard Benjamin. Oz reportedly did not get along with Cher, who starred in the film.

It was reported in 1992 that Oz was slated to direct a film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls for The Geffen Film Company. Oz also planned to direct an unmade film titled Swing Vote before directing Dreamgirls.

In the late 1990s, it was reported that Oz was going to direct either Sylvester Stallone or Bruce Willis in an unmade film titled Ump for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Oz claimed in a 2007 interview with The A.V. Club that he turned down the offer to direct Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). However, Oz later retracted his statement about turning down the project in a 2021 interview: "No, they didn't offer it to me. They asked me if I was interested. So it wasn't really an offer."

In 2006, Dick Cook hired Oz to write and direct The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made for Walt Disney Pictures. However, Disney passed on the project in favor of Jason Segel's script following Cook's departure from the studio.

Acting

As an actor, Oz appeared in one scene as a Prison Storeroom Keeper in The Blues Brothers (1980), directed by John Landis. He appeared in a similar role and scene in Trading Places (1983), also directed by Landis. He had roles in several other Landis films including An American Werewolf in London (1981), Spies Like Us (1985), Innocent Blood (1992), and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998). In 2001, he had a voice acting role in the Pixar film Monsters, Inc. as Randall's scare assistant, Fungus. In 2005, he had a minor part in the Columbia film Zathura as the voice of the robot. He played a lawyer in the critically acclaimed 2019 film Knives Out.

Oz played a surgeon in scenes cut from the theatrical release of Superman III. Other cameos have included The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan and several other Jim Henson-related films that did not involve just his puppeteering.

When Oz does not appear in a Landis film, his name is often spoken in the background. During airport scenes in Into the Night and Coming to America, there are announcements on the PA system for "Mr. Frank Oznowicz".

Personal life

Oz was married to Robin Garsen from 1979 to 2005. He married his second wife Victoria Labalme, daughter of historian Patricia Hochschild Labalme, in 2011. Oz has four children. He maintained a residence in England for nine years and, as of 2012, lives in Manhattan.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1979 The Muppet Movie Fozzie Bear
Miss Piggy
Sam Eagle
Animal
Marvin Suggs
Additional characters
Puppeteer/Voice;
Also creative consultant
1980 The Blues Brothers Corrections officer Also voice of Elwood's building manager
The Empire Strikes Back Yoda Puppeteer/Voice
1981 The Great Muppet Caper Fozzie Bear
Miss Piggy
Sam Eagle
Animal
Additional characters
An American Werewolf in London Mr. Collins
1982 The Dark Crystal Aughra
Chamberlain
Puppeteer
1983 Superman III Surgeon Deleted scene
Return of the Jedi Yoda Puppeteer/Voice
Trading Places Booking cop
1984 The Muppets Take Manhattan Fozzie Bear
Miss Piggy
Sam Eagle
Animal
Bert
Cookie Monster
Ocean Breeze Board member
Additional characters
Puppeteer/Voice
1985 Spies Like Us Test proctor
Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird Cookie Monster
Bert
Grover
Puppeteer/Voice
1986 Labyrinth The Wiseman
1991 Muppet*Vision 3D Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Sam Eagle
Additional characters
Puppeteer/Voice;
Theme park attraction
1992 Innocent Blood Pathologist
The Muppet Christmas Carol Fozzie Bear
Miss Piggy
Sam Eagle
Animal
Additional characters
Puppeteer/Voice
1996 Muppet Treasure Island Voice
1998 Blues Brothers 2000 Warden
1999 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace Yoda Puppeteer/Voice
Muppets from Space Fozzie Bear
Miss Piggy
Sam Eagle
Animal
Additional characters
Voice
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Bert
Grover
Cookie Monster
Puppeteer/Voice
2001 Monsters, Inc. Jeff Fungus Voice
2002 Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Yoda
2005 Zathura Robot
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Yoda
2011 Star Tours–The Adventures Continue Voice;
Theme park attraction
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey Himself Documentary
2014 I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
2015 Inside Out Subconscious Guard Dave Voice
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Yoda Voice (archive recording)
2017 Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind
the Show the Whole World Watched
Himself Documentary
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Yoda Puppeteer/Voice
2019 Knives Out Alan Stevens
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Yoda Voice only
2021 Echoes of Violence Dante
2024 Inside Out 2 TBA

Filmmaking credits

Director

Year Title Notes
1982 The Dark Crystal Co-directed with Jim Henson
1984 The Muppets Take Manhattan Also writer
1986 Little Shop of Horrors ADR Voice
1988 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
1991 What About Bob?
1992 Housesitter
1995 The Indian in the Cupboard
1997 In & Out
1999 Bowfinger
2001 The Score
2004 The Stepford Wives
2007 Death at a Funeral
2017 Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind
the Show the Whole World Watched
Documentary
2021 Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself

Producer

Executive producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1969–2013 Sesame Street Bert
Grover
Cookie Monster
Lefty the Salesman
Harvey Kneeslapper
Additional characters
Puppeteer/Voice;
Regularly until 2001; however, he continued to perform his
characters a few times a year until 2013.
1975–1976 Saturday Night Live The Mighty Favog Puppeteer/Voice The Land of Gorch segments
1976–1981 The Muppet Show Fozzie Bear
Miss Piggy
Sam Eagle
Animal
Marvin Suggs
George the Janitor
Additional characters
Puppeteer/Voice
1977 Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas Alice Otter (puppetry)
Chuck Stoat (puppetry and voice)
Puppeteer/Voice;
Television film
1989 The Jim Henson Hour Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Puppeteer/Voice
1990 The Muppets at Walt Disney World Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Animal
1994 Jim Henson's Animal Show Sam Eagle Voice;
Episode: "Bald Eagle"
1996–1998 Muppets Tonight Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Sam Eagle
Animal
Additional characters
Puppeteer/Voice
1999 CinderElmo Bert
Grover
Cookie Monster
Voice;
Television film
2015–2016 Star Wars Rebels Yoda Voice;
2 episodes

As director

Year Title Notes
2002 The Funkhousers Television film
2011 Leverage Episode: "The Carnival Job"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Muppet Treasure Island Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Sam Eagle
Voice
The Muppet CDROM: Muppets Inside Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Animal
Sam Eagle
Marvin Suggs
2000 Muppet Monster Adventure Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Muppet RaceMania Miss Piggy
Fozzie Bear
Sam Eagle
Animal
2020 Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge Yoda
2021 Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge – Last Call

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1974 News & Documentary Emmy Award Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming Sesame Street Won
1976 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Children's Programming Won
Grammy Award Best Recording for Children Merry Christmas from Sesame Street Nominated
1977 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series The Muppet Show Nominated
1978 Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series Won
1979 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming Sesame Street Won
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program The Muppet Show Nominated
1979 Grammy Award Best Recording for Children The Muppet Show Album Won
1980 The Muppet Movie: Original Soundtrack Recording Won
1980 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program The Muppet Show Nominated
1981 Nominated
1983 Hugo Award Best Dramatic Presentation The Dark Crystal Nominated
1987 Little Shop of Horrors Nominated
1998 American Comedy Awards Creative Achievement Award Won
2002 ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award Won
2003 Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Digital Acting Performance Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Nominated
2012 Saturn Awards Life Career Award Won

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