Eren Ozker

Eren Ozker was a Turkish-born puppeteer and stage actress whose best known work with the Muppets was on the 1st season of The Muppet Show. Her most notable characters were Hilda, Wanda, and did Janice which Fran Brill originally did (the role was soon passed on to Richard Hunt). Eren also played supporting characters on the special Emmett Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Ozker left the Muppets after assisting in The Muppet Movie, which I don't know why. She along with John Lovelady have worked with Muppets for a short time for they both puppeteered on only one season. Outside of the Muppets she puppeteered on Miss Peach of the Kelly School, The Warrior Ant, and Felix the Cat: The Movie, to name a few. I read that Eren Ozker founded the SAG/AFTRA puppeteers' caucus and served as the first chairwoman to fight for more vocal participation. I also read that she played Sud-Z-Lemon in series of commericials for Joy dishwashing liquid. For theater, she has toured within the National Shakespeare Company, for which she played heroines for many shows like Hamlet. Eren has also performed with the Hartman Theater Company playing lead roles in The Hostage and The Government Inspector. I'm afraid Ozker's life did not last long because she died of cancer in 1993. It's a shame that she died because she would become famous for being founder and first chairwoman at SAG Puppeteers' Caucus. At least half of her life was spent working with the Muppets as well as originating two Muppet characters that were carried on for the future (well one more than the other). Eren Ozker, you've lived a good life and you have started up Janice for Hunt to inherit until his death in 1992. I'm sure your friends would have been proud of you like Olga Felgemacher, Danny Seagren, and Dan Redican. Rest in peace and you'll never be forgotten by me Eren. You had really put a lot of effort into your life Ozker!

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