Paul Hartis

Paul Hartis is a puppet designer/builder, supervisor, and puppeteer who worked with the Jim Henson Company from 1988-2010, exactly 14 years. He designed and or built over 150 puppets and supervised many projects such as TV series, commericials, and a movie. Paul was also an occasional puppeteer on Sesame Street in many segments and also puppeteered within The Song of the Cloud Forest and Free to Be... a Family. Hartis' project supervisor credits include The Secret Life of Toys, Mopatop's Shop, The Hoobs, and the television movie Kermit's Swamp Years. Working on Sesame Street has won him two Daytime Emmy Awards, though I wish it won him more, if he did more seasons. Some other builders that worked alongside him include Peter MacKennan, Barry Link, and Mark Zeszotek, all of which had served as occasional puppeteers as well. I'll bet Paul Hartis felt really proud of himself for being project supervisor meant he would be in charge of the workshop and the building of the puppets. But why did he leave Sesame Street and the Henson Company after 2010, he was doing really well in supervising the workshop. I've read that he was even a spokesperson on a 10-city book tour for The Muppets Big Book of Crafts, a how-to book made by the Muppet Workshop. I should say Paul had a huge impact in the Muppet Workshop for years and the people he worked with might still remember him today. What could Hartis be doing now since leaving the workshop? Maybe he's still a freelance puppet builder or perhaps he's resting at the moment. Let's hope he still remembers Muppets today. Paul Hartis, you have done wonderful with the Jim Henson Company for 14 years. You've brought to life several puppets in various projects and such. No one can ever replace you in my opinion. Excellent Paul. Peace Hartis!