He was born on September 28, 1940, in San Antonio, Texas to Adele and Gerald Nelson. LOS ANGELES (AP) Jerry Nelson, the puppeteer behind a menagerie of Muppet characters including Count von Count on "Sesame Street," died on Thursday at his home on Cape Cod. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Renowned for his wide range of characters and singing abilities, he performed Muppet characters on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and various Muppet movies and specials. It was a radical idea, and it required a level of precision that many thought impossible. The film was dedicated to him and Jane Henson. Jerry Nelson became part of Sesame Street as it began its second season. On his characters, Jerry Nelson was quoted in a 1978 "Muppet Show Fan Club" newsletter: Each one of them is an aspect of my own personality. The sticking point was the central mirror. His voice will be heard in the new season of the show, which begins in September. Send your deepest condolences with fresh flowers. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. In 2005, Nelson was one of the narrators on the audiobook version of It's Not Easy Bein' Green, displaying his vocal versatility by reciting most of the quotes from Muppet characters, including Dr. Teeth and the Doozers. Jerry Nelson peering into a mirror at the Lick Observatory. I've still never been able to read the end. Mr. Jerry GilRoy Nelson was born November 9, 1952 in Rose City, MI the son of Ford and Pauline Nelson. Norman Stiles, who was the first writer to write for Count, sent me this yesterday: 'It's a beautiful thing. Frank Oz did not perform on Fraggle Rock, and Jim Henson and Hunt limited their time on the show, so they performed supporting characters. Although he was uncredited, Nelson reprised his role as announcer during The Muppet Telethon in 2011's The Muppets. OBITUARY Jerry H. Nelson September 12, 1940 - April 12, 2016. Jerry Allen Nelson, 82, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Toggle navigation. Born on April 16, 1948 in Montpelier, he was the son of Barbara and Edward, "Bud", Nelson. The show paid tribute to Nelson with Episode 4411, which celebrates his best-known Sesame character. Also survived by his sisters Judy Sayers of Worcester; Franne Nelson of Morrisville; Donna Barry of Hoonah, Alaska and his brother/nephew, Robert LaClair of Barre Town; as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to express special thanks to his wife for taking good and loving care of him for the last 2 years. Its funny when I think about it because at least twenty of those years I denied being a puppeteer. May she walk with her angels and meet her true love William Marion Nelson once again and see her family whom all are celebrating in Heaven now. In July 2020, Jerry married Anne Tyrrell. His death was announced by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, which said he had been in declining health for some time. Most sources (including Sesame Street Unpaved and Sesame Street: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street) state that Nelson stopped playing Snuffy after hurting his back. The diameter of the mirror, a giant round disk of glass whose surface is exquisitely polished to ensure maximum accuracy, determines how much light the telescope can capture and how sharp an image it can create. He is survived by and the proud father of son, Gerald Alan Nelson and wife Jennifer, grandchildren Ashleigh and Ryan; daughter, Amie Naas and husband Kyle, grandchildren, Alycia and Gina Alvarez, Kendall and Cameron Naas; daughter, Denise Dean and grandson James Dean. Nelson was often paired with Louise Gold in musical numbers, such as "Henrietta's Wedding" and "Your Feet's Too Big.". Nelson puppeteering Lew Zealand, performing one of his singing fish acts, during filming of Episode 524 of The Muppet Show. Throughout the '60s, he worked on-and-off with Jim Henson. He grew up in Hinckley until his family moved to Cloquet, MN when he was beginning the 8th grade. He spent the early 1990s in Hawaii as a project scientist during the construction of the Keck telescopes, before returning to the mainland and taking a position as a professor of astronomy at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1994. Nelson was the first puppeteer to perform Mr. Snuffleupagus, keeping the role from 1971 to 1978. In 1970, he joined the company and began working regularly on Sesame Street. My grandparents used to give me a quarter to learn and sing songs when I was a sprout about five years old. January 15, 2023 It is long and boring but I have had health issues for a couple of years now. Jerry was born on September 7, 1949 in Port Angeles to Joe and June Nelson joining. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. Nelson went on to perform nearly every Muppet announcer in a major Henson production until 2002. He worked as a staff researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory from 1970 to 1981 and taught astronomy at Berkeley from 1981 to 1994. He was a 1959 Graduate of DuPont High School and retired from FMC/Olin . Mike Dionigi and Judy Nielsen. She made a cameo appearance with him in the second Muppet movie, The Great Muppet Caper. I enjoy singing and I get to sing a lot. for a complete character gallery, see Jerry Nelson characters, 39 Years on a 40 Year Street: An Essay by Jerry Nelson, Sesame Street: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street, Peter Alexander prsentiert Spezialitten #10, Count It Higher: Great Music Videos from Sesame Street, Sing, Hoot & Howl with the Sesame Street Animals, Muppet Sing Alongs: Billy Bunny's Animal Songs, Elmo's Musical Adventure: Peter and the Wolf, Muppets from Space: The Making of Muppet Movie Magic, 1/17/1971 'Ed Sullivan Show - String Quartet' | Jim Henson's Red Book, ToughPigs.com 2009 interview with Jerry Nelson, Jim Henson's Red Book entry about Nelson's beginnings with the Muppets, Jessica Max Stein's obituary/memorial essay for Nelson, Halfway Down the Stairs fansite (archive.org), Nelson also wrote songs for Muppet productions: ", Kenneth Plume's 2000 interview with Nelson , The Muppet Mindset 2011 interview with Jerry Nelson . Mr. Nelsons designs were the basis for the twin telescopes at the W. M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii. In addition to his versatility at character dialects, Nelson was an accomplished vocalist, and often received showcases on The Muppet Show. Nelson did not perform in episodes 101-103 and 111-115. Jerry Nelson first worked with Jim Henson in 1965 when Frank Oz got drafted and Henson needed somebody to perform the right hand of Rowlf on The Jimmy Dean Show. Plant a tree to honor the memory of your loved one. Jerry served on the Committee of the Seven appointed by the Bishop of the ELCA to set future paths for the national church body. Sign the Guest Book. Following Richard Hunt's death in 1992, Nelson took over the role of Statler, which he had originated in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence. There are no events scheduled. In 2002, Nelson also performed the character voice of General Public in the Cartoon Network animated series Sheep in the Big City in the episode "Daddy Shearest". In a way, there were a lot of different ways of looking at it, I think because both Jacquie [Gordon, Christine's mother] and I were right there when Christine died. He is survived by : his wife Marlene (Miller); his children, David Nelson (Laureen) of Cherryville, PA, Bart Nelson (Nancy) of Johnsonburg and Kyle Nelson of Johnsonburg; his sisters, Sally Anderson of Kane and Doris Hybl (Charles) of Keysville, VA; and his sister-in-law Lois Nelson of Spring Grove, PA.. Nelson performed as a principal puppeteer in numerous Muppet productions for over thirty years, including the Muppet movies, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and various TV specials. Jerry and Kay retired to their lake home in Moose Lake, MN for the summer months and wintered in Surprise, AZ. Nelson performed many songs as one-shot characters, including "All of Me," "The Windmills of Your Mind," and "Three Little Fishies." None of Nelson's characters were as central to the show as characters like Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Scooter, and therefore he often played major one-shot backstage characters, such as Irving Bizarre, Big Tiny Tallsaddle, and Angus McGonagle. He was predeceased by : his wife Marie Renfroe Comer; his son Jerry Wayne Comer; his parents, Ila Comer and Lloyd Comer; and his . Come the late 1990s, Nelson has begun to focus more on his musical career but continues his involvement in The Muppets. I don't think he meant I should go around exploding everything -- just that I should give my emotions more freedom.. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. By the mid 2000s, Nelson had stepped away from performing his classic Muppet characters, due to health reasons, but he continued to voice his characters on Sesame Street. Send Flowers | He also served as chairperson of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and chairperson of the Naperville Home for the Elderly, (Martin Manor). Jerry Nelson (July 10, 1934 - August 23, 2012) started his puppeteering career working for Bil Baird. [11] But the reasons for giving it up were because at that time we were doing The Muppet Show and he was a real part of the show, and they needed his presence. Web: Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-2016. Bellingham, Washington - As we knew he would, Jerry P. Nelson quietly slipped away on December 4, 2022. A "Celebration of Life" will be held for Jerry Nelson, 71, Lawrence, at Empire Bar & Billiards, from 1 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2021. Would you like to offer Norman Nelsons loved ones a condolence message? He felt he had the best wife and family in all the world and was always thankful for their love. His other characters on that show included Sherlock Hemlock, Herry Monster and the Amazing Mumford. Admin. On Fraggle Rock, he performed Gobo Fraggle, Pa Gorg, and Marjory the Trash Heap. Mr. Nelson portrayed the count from the time the character was introduced on Sesame Street in 1972. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Morris Nilsen Chapel 612-869-3226 morrisnilsen.com. Nelson, Rev. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2020 at New Life Church, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Scott Coghill officiating. He then married his second wife Jan Nelson in 1984, and they remained married until his death in 2012. | All rights reserved. [10] On August 23, 2012, Jerry Nelson died at his Cape Cod home from complications of his illnesses, at the age of 78. I can only say I have traveled through the breathtaking up and down melody of a lifetime that, I studied and trained for, wandered the paths of least resistance (following my water nature) to, and that I am either blessed and one of the luckiest bozos walking this planet or both. Worked on Sesame Street for 42 years until his death. FAQ. Nelson's announcing duties extended to Elmo's World, voicing the announcer heard on Elmo's TV (replacing Ron Marshall after Season 32) that introduces the channel Elmo is watching. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to New Life Church, 2911 Old Cherry Point Road, New Bern, NC 28560. NELSON, Mr. Jerry-age 70, of Clio, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023 at his residence. Because of this, he had to give up the role of Statler, but for the most part he retained his other established characters (Floyd Pepper, Robin, Droop, etc.) Our Locations | Sheldon T. Banks Funeral Chapel. Share Obituary. For the 2002 TV movie It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, Bill Barretta replaced him as Lew Zealand, but Nelson looped the voices of Robin, Statler, and others. Jerry Nelson McConnell. Jerry Nelson with Leslie Carrara-Rudolph on the set of Muppets Tonight. Jerry Comer Obituary. His final Sesame Street performances, which aired in seasons 43 and 44, included voicing the Count in "Five By" and the Street story for Episode 4401, Mr. Johnson in "The Coffee Plant," and Humpty Dumpty in a Word of the Day segment. Jerry Nelson died on August 23, 2012 after years of health issues complicated by COPD. Jerry Collins Nelson, 78, died on Feb 22, 2013. He met and married the love of his life, Beverly, and settled in New Bern. UND ran for 266 yards on 70 attempts, led by Mike Deutsch's 119 yards on 41 carries. Starting in 2008, Vogel took over most of Nelson's Muppet Show roles as well. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. NELSON, Mr. Jerry-age 70, of Clio, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023 at his residence. They had a large circle of cherished friends and welcomed all into their home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerry Nelson please visit our. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. He was predeceased by : his parents, Arthur Nelson and Arlene Nelson (Bullers); his brother Donald Nelson; and his brother-in-law Ronald Anderson. Nelson was a lead performer in the two theatrical Muppet outings from Jim Henson Pictures, where in addition to his regular characters, he played Ubergonzo in Muppets from Space and the Grouch Mayor in The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Jerry and Kay lived in Waterbury from 1961-1966. If you know of an upcoming event for Norman Nelson, please add one. One such character, Lew Zealand, was originally intended as a one-shot, but soon became a recurring character. Then it will be time to lick the icing off of 40 candles! 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