However, people are clearly misplacing their role models in this day and age. From reading your post, it seems that Disney is the root of all evil here, or at least the newer programming. These people strive to become famous- and when they do, they abuse it or hog the spotlight.

Is this what you’re saying? If so, you’re pretty much on the spot.

I guess Henson had a deep influence on today’s creators (animators, and perhaps game designers?) because he conveyed emotions, expressiveness and creativity with “minimal” material, at the exact opposite of realistic hollywood-style 3D effects.

I have watched the muppets and such, and loved them when I was small. But never had I known about the genius behind it, it just never occurred to me to find out.

After reading up quickly on Wiki, I do remember him from “A Muppet’s Family Christmas” though although I never realised the significance of his appearance.

Though he may have died (before I was even born, it seems) his legacy lives on till this day through other people -like his children- and I’m sure that’s just what he wanted.

Secondly, I have to honestly say that I’ve never heard about him. But as you said, he didn’t want to become famous, he wanted to tell a story. And those stories became famous. The reason why, as you say, people haven’t heard about him this day and age, was maybe because he didn’t really want that. Nowadays, celebrities and famous people in general become a product themselves. Jim Henson on the other hand made his work, his shows become a product, but also much more than just a product.