Eric Jacobson

Eric Jacobson
Ewen Roberts · CC0 · source
Name	Eric Jacobson
Occupation	Puppeteer, actor, voice actor
Years active	1994–present
Notable works	The Muppets, Sesame Street, The Muppet Show

Eric Jacobson is an American puppeteer and voice actor best known for performing iconic characters from The Muppets and Sesame Street. He has assumed roles originally created by legendary performers and has contributed to television, film, and live stage productions. Jacobson’s work bridges classic puppetry traditions established by figures such as Jim Henson and Frank Oz with contemporary media projects involving studios like The Jim Henson Company and Walt Disney Studios.

Early life and education

Jacobson was born and raised in the United States, where he developed an early interest in puppetry and performance influenced by television programs such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. He pursued formal and informal training that connected him with established practitioners in the puppetry community, including mentors from The Jim Henson Company and contemporary puppeteers active in Los Angeles and New York. Early exposure to works by Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Don Sahlin, and companies like Puppeteers of America shaped his technical foundation and appreciation for character-driven storytelling. Jacobson also studied acting and voice techniques used in theatrical productions tied to institutions such as Circle in the Square Theatre and workshops associated with Carnegie Mellon University alumni in puppetry arts.

Career

Jacobson’s professional career began in the 1990s, working on projects connected to Sesame Street and regional puppetry troupes. He worked alongside veteran performers from The Jim Henson Company and toured with productions related to The Muppets franchise. As his reputation grew, Jacobson collaborated with major entertainment entities including Walt Disney Pictures, Disney Television Animation, and independent production companies that manage legacy puppet properties. He has participated in television specials tied to institutions such as PBS and network broadcasts on ABC and NBC. Jacobson’s career trajectory reflects intersections with stage, screen, and themed entertainment venues like Universal Studios Hollywood and special events associated with Hollywood Bowl performances.

Muppet performances and roles

Jacobson is most widely recognized for performing characters originally voiced and puppeteered by Frank Oz and others. His principal roles include performing Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam Eagle in modern incarnations of The Muppets. He also performs classic characters featured on Sesame Street, contributing to sketches and segments that appear in syndication and streaming on platforms connected to HBO and Max (streaming service). Jacobson’s stewardship of these characters places him in continuity with historical performers such as Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and Jim Henson, requiring fidelity to original character voices and mannerisms established on series like The Muppet Show and films including The Muppet Movie and The Muppets (2011 film). In addition to performing flagship characters, Jacobson has undertaken background and supporting puppet roles in guest appearances on programs hosted by entertainers such as Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert.

Television and film work

Jacobson’s television credits encompass recurring and guest roles on productions associated with puppet ensembles for franchises owned by Walt Disney Company and collaborative projects with PBS Kids. He has performed in theatrical films and television specials produced by The Jim Henson Company and partner studios, contributing to projects that have screened at festivals like the Tribeca Film Festival and played in mainstream release windows. Jacobson’s screen work often involves coordination with directors experienced in puppetry-heavy cinematography such as Brian Henson and editors familiar with post-production approaches used on series like Sesame Street and feature films like Muppets Most Wanted. He has also appeared on talk shows and variety programs produced by NBC and ABC, where he performs Muppet characters in interviews and comedy sketches.

Voice acting and puppeteering technique

Jacobson combines voice mimicry, physical puppeteering, and character study derived from the legacy of Jim Henson and Frank Oz. His technique emphasizes precise mouth-synchronization, hand mechanics, and the use of body language to convey emotion in stationary puppet frameworks, practices also taught at workshops hosted by organizations such as Puppeteers of America and academic programs with histories in puppetry like University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts. He often collaborates with voice coaches and dialect instructors associated with institutions such as Juilliard and voice professionals who have worked on animated productions for studios like DreamWorks Animation. In live performances, Jacobson coordinates closely with fellow puppeteers to preserve character interplay pioneered on ensemble shows such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, adapting blocking and timing for televised formats and stage acoustics in venues like Radio City Music Hall.

Awards and recognition

Jacobson’s contributions to puppetry and family entertainment have been acknowledged by peers and industry organizations. Projects featuring his performances have been associated with accolades and nominations from organizations such as the Emmy Awards and the Annie Awards for achievement in television and animation-related craft. He has been invited to panels and retrospectives at conventions and festivals celebrating puppetry, including events hosted by San Diego Comic-Con and the Puppet Festival circuit. Industry publications that document the history of The Muppets and Sesame Street cite Jacobson for sustaining classic character interpretations while supporting new productions within these franchises.

Category:American puppeteers Category:American voice actors