Jim Henson, who died 35 years ago today, on May 16, 1990, brought magic to millions with his beloved Muppets. But even before his signature group of creations hit the public eye, Henson seemed on a path for greatness.  Born September 24, 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi, and raised in Maryland, he had an eye for puppetry from a young age; he created Sam and Friends while still in college and soon co-founded what would become The Jim Henson Company with his wife, Jane.

But it was the Muppets that would make him a household name. With unforgettable characters like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, Henson changed the landscape of children’s television with Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, and pushed creative boundaries in film with fantasy classics like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. He died far too young, on May 16, 1990 at the age of 53, from toxic shock syndrome caused by a bacterial infection. But his legacy lives on through the characters he brought to life, and the millions of viewers who love them. In honor of Henson and all that he created, let’s learn some interesting facts about his life and career.