Christopher Leith

Christopher Leith was a British puppeteer, puppet maker, and artist who performed on many projects for the Muppets and the Creature Shop. He began on The Great Muppet Caper as a marionette operator for the "Couldn't We Ride" sequence, though he was uncredited. Christopher later puppeteered a Goblin on Labyrinth and the Ultragorgon on Monster Maker (a special on The Jim Henson Hour). Leith ended his Muppet gig on The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island, serving as one of the several additional puppeteers on both. Outside of Henson, he got to puppeteer on two well-known films, Little Shop of Horrors (Frank Oz version) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Other puppeteers he got to perform with over the years include Ian Tregonning, Toby Philpott, Michael Bayliss, and David Greenaway. As a respected puppeteer in England, Christopher Leith he was a longtime member of Little Angel Theatre, joining in 1962 as the first apprentice to artistic director from 1992-2000. I find it amazing that he was working at that theatre for several decades, that would make him the oldest puppeteer be there. Fantastic history in the making for Little Angel Theatre back in 2000. But sadly in 2015, Christopher died, maybe at a very old age since he did start working in 1962. The last time Leith was heard was in an interview in 2013 for an article. At least he got to work on several Muppet and Creature Shop productions during his career and got to meet the legendary original Muppet performers. I'm sure Little Angel Theatre will always remember him as one of their longest running performers/staff to this day. Christopher Leith, it's been wonderful having you in our world, with the superstars. You were wonderful with the Muppets and Little Angel Theatre as well. You may be gone, but you'll never be forgotten by the people you worked close with over the years in your career. Rest your soul, Christopher. Long live your legacy Leith!

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