Musical Artist - Nelson, Jerry

Jerry Nelson was one of the "core" members of the Muppeteers who performed for most of their lives as part of the team. Although he didn't have as many signature characters as Jim Henson or Frank Oz, or probably not even as many notable characters as Richard Hunt, Nelson performed so many Muppet characters that listing them all would be an exercise in tedium. Because of his skill as a Muppeteer and his talent for singing, Nelson was the "go-to" guy when a one-shot character was needed, and so ended up playing dozens and dozens of characters one or twice. Even so, he did have several memorable characters, his most famous probably being Count von Count, the number obsessed vampire of Sesame Street. Although the Count was his most famous character, his most substantial roles were Gobo Fraggle, the lead character in the Fraggle Rock series, and Emmet Otter in Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

Other characters performed by Nelson include Pa Gorg and Marjory the Trash Heap on Fraggle Rock, Mr. Snuffleupagus, The Amazing Mumford, and Herry Monster on Sesame Street, as well as Floyd, Robin, and Uncle Deadly on the Muppet Show. He also did all the voice-over announcements and introductions for segments like "Pigs in Space" on the Muppet Show. Nelson continued working with Sesame Street until his death, although after 2004 he was unable to perform the puppets due to health problems.

Musical Monday Selections:

02/19/18: Just One Person with Kevin Clash, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, Frank Oz, and Steve Whitmire

08/27/12: When the River Meets the Sea with Louise Gold

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