AngieBelle
<font color=#FF0066>Future Belle on Broadway<br><f
- Joined
- Aug 30, 1999
- Messages
- 2,165
With the recent death of Mr. Rogers who was a huge part of many of our childhoods, it got me thinking...what celebrity who has died do you miss the most? Or whose death affected you the most?
For me, it's Jim Henson hands down. At the time of his death, I was only 9 and not even very aware of the man and what his death meant, although I certainly knew of his creations. In more recent years, I began to really appreciate his creative genius and what a wonderful person he was. A few years ago, I watched a biography on him. When they began to talk about his death and funeral, I couldn't help it- I completely choked up. But the king of all tearjerkers was a special called The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson that aired shortly after his death. I didn't actually see it until years later. In it, the muppets have been left a note by Kermit to come up with a tribute to Jim. During the course of the show, the muppets try to figure out who he is. Finally, Kermit sends them a stack of letters that he thinks will help. Gonzo begins to read one outloud- actual letters from fans expressing their grief, and all are shocked to discover that the man they're supposed to celebrate has died. After reading more letters, the muppets join in singing "Just One Person," and I dare anyone not to cry! Watching anything current that the Muppets have done is bitter sweet because they just haven't been the same since Jim's death. And what's worse, he was only 53! He could have done so much more.
Another one taken far too soon was the great Howard Ashman, lyricist for B&TB, TLM, and Aladdin! He was a great story man, just like Walt. He was the one who came up with the enchanted objects and also chose Paige O'Hara for Belle. In my opinion, Disney movies since his death are missing his spark.
Though I greatly admire Walt Disney, naturally, it's hard for me to say I miss him...he died well over a decade before I was born so I never knew a world in which he still lived. Also, my 3 top favorite Disney films are all ones that came out during my childhood.
For me, it's Jim Henson hands down. At the time of his death, I was only 9 and not even very aware of the man and what his death meant, although I certainly knew of his creations. In more recent years, I began to really appreciate his creative genius and what a wonderful person he was. A few years ago, I watched a biography on him. When they began to talk about his death and funeral, I couldn't help it- I completely choked up. But the king of all tearjerkers was a special called The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson that aired shortly after his death. I didn't actually see it until years later. In it, the muppets have been left a note by Kermit to come up with a tribute to Jim. During the course of the show, the muppets try to figure out who he is. Finally, Kermit sends them a stack of letters that he thinks will help. Gonzo begins to read one outloud- actual letters from fans expressing their grief, and all are shocked to discover that the man they're supposed to celebrate has died. After reading more letters, the muppets join in singing "Just One Person," and I dare anyone not to cry! Watching anything current that the Muppets have done is bitter sweet because they just haven't been the same since Jim's death. And what's worse, he was only 53! He could have done so much more.
Another one taken far too soon was the great Howard Ashman, lyricist for B&TB, TLM, and Aladdin! He was a great story man, just like Walt. He was the one who came up with the enchanted objects and also chose Paige O'Hara for Belle. In my opinion, Disney movies since his death are missing his spark.
Though I greatly admire Walt Disney, naturally, it's hard for me to say I miss him...he died well over a decade before I was born so I never knew a world in which he still lived. Also, my 3 top favorite Disney films are all ones that came out during my childhood.
Then as I grew, I began to appreciate him for his music and his personality/philosophies. I still think he's a cutie too. 
