Steve Axtell

Steve Axtell is a performer, animator, inventor, puppet creator, and entrepreneur who is best known for founding and running Axtell Expressions. I've heard in a Puppet Tears episode, that Jim Henson served as his inspiration to becoming the performer he is today, he even has a Sesame Street picture. Steve has made over a thousand puppets, lots of them are caricatures of famous celebrities. Axtell is also known for being Duncan the Donut and most of the puppet characters in The Donut Man video series. He was assisted by Kimberly McDermott, Lori Lehman, and others for extra puppets. He's also performed in Jack Houston's Imagine Land (alongside Lee Armstrong and John Hardman), Prayer Bear, and The Knock Knock Show, not to mention a ventriloquist for various appearances. Steve Axtell was especially known for making such incredible puppet technologies that even The Jim Henson Company couldn't do, such as moving the ventriloquist puppets entirely through mechanisms (similar to Fraggle Rock). I only wish that he had a chance to meet Jim Henson himself before he died in 1990, which happened to be the year where the first Donut Man video was made. It almost appears like he's becoming even more legendary than Henson based on his inventions. Maybe one day, Steve will visit the Henson Company since both that and Axtell Expressions are located in California. Until then, Axtell should keep up the stupendous work at his company until the day he dies. Before he dies, he should turn the company over to his family in order to keep Axtell Expressions going for years to come. Steve Axtell, you must be the second most legendary outside performer to ever be on this blog. You also do good selling your puppets to many people across America (despite high prices). From a little donut to a big tree, you've performed puppets of all sizes and techniques. Keep on performing till you die Steve. I bid you good luck Axtell!

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