Francis Kane

Francis Kane is a puppeteer, puppet builder, and mime who didn't do a lot of projects involving either the Muppets or Sesame Street. He was discovered by Muppet builder Kermit Love at the University of Hawaii and brought to New York to replace Brian Muehl as the back end of Mr. Snuffleupagus. That was the only role Francis played on Sesame Street and he only did it for the 1979 season. After that season, Kane left the show and was replaced by Bryant Young who did that role since. His role soon rose outside of Sesame Street, for in 1981, he played the role of Baxter on The Great Space Coaster, which has also featured many puppeteers that worked on Sesame Street like Pam Arciero, Kevin Clash, Noel MacNeal, Jim Martin, and John Lovelady. I don't know whatever happened to him after working on that show until 1987. I've read that Francis Kane served as a puppet builder in Kermit Love's video series called Whirligig. But after that, nobody knows what ever happened to him. I hope he's still alive today because there are probably projects that could use his puppeteering or miming talents. I hope that Francis knows that Kermit Love is dead now and that he was his idol upon discovering each other in Hawaii. Kane should at least show himself for the world to know that he's still alive. At least he got to work on Sesame Street for a year, even though it was a minor role. Personally, I think a minor role is better than not having any roles at all. Francis Kane, even though you haven't done various characters on Sesame Street, I think you're a great puppeteer. Though you did get to work with Muppet performers like Rick Lyon, Bruce Edward Hall, Alison Mork, and Nikki Tilroe on Whirligig. Maybe when the time is right, you'll reappear to the world. Until then, stay healthy Francis. Good luck to you Kane!