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Jim Henson - The Early Years Trivia Quiz

How much do you know about Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets?

A multiple-choice quiz by SilverMoonsong. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
SilverMoonsong

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
187,420

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
629

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Jim Henson was born in 1936 in which small town? Hint

Bowling Green, Kentucky

Greenville, Mississippi

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Greensboro, North Carolina

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Question 2 of 10

2. Henson was born on which day in 1936? Hint

September 24

September 27

September 16

September 11

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Question 3 of 10

3. Jim had an older brother. What was his name? Hint

Brian

Kermit

John, Jr.

Paul, Jr.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Henson's maternal grandmother was the key early influence on him. She was known simply as ____ ? Hint

Granny

Nana

Dear

Meemaw

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the name of the first film he saw? Hint

Gone with the Wind

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Casablanca

The Wizard of Oz

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these was not an early influence on young Jim Henson? Hint

Kukla, Fran and Ollie

Howdy Doody

Snarky Parker

Pogo

7. During the summer of 1954, Jim auditioned for a puppeteer position at WTOP, a local station. He and a friend created three puppets. Which one of the following is not an original Henson puppet? Hint

Pierre the French Rat

Shorthorn

Longhorn

Icky Gunk

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Question 8 of 10

8. During the fall of 1954, Jim enrolled at the University of Maryland. That September, while Jim was a freshman, he met his future wife and his first performing partner. What was her name? Hint

Janet Nebel

Jane Nebel

Joan Nebel

Janice Nebel

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Question 9 of 10

9. After leaving WTOP, Jim Henson auditioned for WRC-TV, Washington's NBC station. What was Jim's new show called? Hint

Muppet Friends

Kermit and Friends

Sam and Friends

Muppet Minutes

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Question 10 of 10

10. The original Kermit (who was not yet a frog) was constructed by Jim in what year? Hint

1961

1959

1955

1954

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Jim Henson was born in 1936 in which small town?

Answer: Greenville, Mississippi

He grew up in nearby Leland.

2. Henson was born on which day in 1936?

Answer: September 24

His father, Paul, was an agricultural research biologist with the US Department of Agriculture. His mother, Betty, stayed home with Jim and his older brother.

3. Jim had an older brother. What was his name?

Answer: Paul, Jr.

In April of 1956, Paul was killed in an automobile accident.

4. Henson's maternal grandmother was the key early influence on him. She was known simply as ____ ?

Answer: Dear

It was Dear who encouraged Jimmy to cherish the world of the imagination.

5. What was the name of the first film he saw?

Answer: The Wizard of Oz

He later reported being terrified by the MGM lion.

6. Which of these was not an early influence on young Jim Henson?

Answer: Howdy Doody

Other influences include comedians Ernie Kovac and Stan Freberg. He enjoyed Homer and Jethro, and the irreverent musical buffoonery of Spike Jones.

7. During the summer of 1954, Jim auditioned for a puppeteer position at WTOP, a local station. He and a friend created three puppets. Which one of the following is not an original Henson puppet?

Answer: Icky Gunk

Icky Gunk was one of his characters for his Sam & Friends show, along with Mushmellon, Moldy Hay, Professor Madcliffe, Harry, Hank, Yorick, Scoop, Henrietta, and an early version of Kermit.

8. During the fall of 1954, Jim enrolled at the University of Maryland. That September, while Jim was a freshman, he met his future wife and his first performing partner. What was her name?

Answer: Jane Nebel

They were married in 1959. His mother was extremely unhappy about the idea of him being married with a beard, so he shaved it off and sent it to Jane with a note saying, "From Samson to Delilah."

9. After leaving WTOP, Jim Henson auditioned for WRC-TV, Washington's NBC station. What was Jim's new show called?

Answer: Sam and Friends

The show debuted on May 9, 1955 and ran until December 1961, winning a local Emmy in 1958.

10. The original Kermit (who was not yet a frog) was constructed by Jim in what year?

Answer: 1955

Kermit was constructed from a spring coat abandoned by his mother and two halves of a ping-pong ball.

Source: Author SilverMoonsong

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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