Celebrities

John Henson Dead: Son of Muppets Creator Jim Henson Dies of ‘Massive Sudden’ Heart Attack at 48

D Dipasupil/Getty Images

John Henson, the 48-year-old son of late Muppets genius Jim Henson, died of a “sudden massive heart attack” on Friday.

Henson’s death was confirmed by The Jim Henson Company on Saturday, which posted the news of his passing to the company’s official Facebook page.

Henson, like his father, Jim, and mother, Jane, was a puppeteer. His credits include work on “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz,” “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” “Muppets From Space,” and “Muppet Treasure Island.” He was best known for being puppeteer behind the larger-than-life character “Sweetums.”

Henson is survived by daughters Katrina and Sydney, and wife Gyongyi, as well as siblings Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, and Heather. A private service is currently being planned.

Gallery | In Memoriam 2014: Stars We’ve Lost This Year

Actress Shirley Temple (April 23, 1928 – February 10, 2014)
Shirley Temple, who delivered unforgettable performances as a child actress in the classics “Bright Eyes,” “Curly Top,” and “A Little Princess,” (seen here at the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards) died of natural causes at her home in Woodside, Calif. Feb. 10, 2014. She was 85. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman (July 23, 1967 – February 2, 2014)
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, known for his risk-taking roles and his Oscar-winning turn as iconic writer Truman Capote in “Capote,” died of an apparent drug overdose at his apartment in New York City on February 2, 2014.
Actress Ruth Duccini (July 23, 1918 – January 16, 2014)
Ruth Duccini was the last of the original female Munchkins from “The Wizard of Oz” (1939). She died of natural causes at 95 years old. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack (February 8, 1944 – January 15, 2014)
British actor Roger Lloyd-Pack, famous for his role as “Trigger” in the sitcom “Only Fools and Horses,” died age 69 on January 15, 2014, after suffering from Pancreatic Cancer, his agent confirmed on January 16, 2014. (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Actor Russell Johnson (November 10, 1924 – January 16, 2014)
Actor Russell Johnson, best known as the Professor on “Gilligan’s Island,” died of kidney failure January 16, 2014 at his home in Bainbridge Island, Washington. He was 89. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Actress Alexandra Bastedo (March 9, 1946 – January 12, 2014)
A film and television actress, best known for her role in the British TV series “The Champions,” Alexandra Bastedo died January 12 of cancer at the age of 67. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Actress Carmen Zapata (July 15, 1927 – January 5, 2014)
Actress Carmen Zapata died Sunday, January 5, 2014, at her Los Angeles home, surrounded by family and friends. She was 86. Zapata started her career in 1945 in the Broadway musical “Oklahoma” and went on to perform in “Bells Are Ringing,” “Guys and Dolls” and many plays. Her movie credits include “Sister Act,” “Gang Boys” and “Carola,” as well as dozens of television series. (AP Photo/Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Bob Freeman)
Actress Juanita Moore (October 19, 1922 – January 1, 2014)
Academy Award-nominated actress Juanita Moore, known for her role in the 1959 classic “Imitation of Life,” died New Year’s Day of natural causes at 99 years old. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)