Frank Oz

Date of Birth: May 25, 1944

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Biography

Frank Oz, born Richard Frank Oznowicz, is an English-American actor, puppeteer, director, and producer. He was born on May 25, 1944, in Hereford, England, to Frances and Isidore Oznowicz, who were both puppeteers. The family moved to the United States in 1951, settling in Oakland, California. Oz began his career in puppetry at a young age, joining Jim Henson’s team of puppeteers in his early 20s. Oz is best known for his work with the Muppets, where he performed iconic characters such as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam the Eagle. He also collaborated with Henson on “Sesame Street,” bringing to life characters like Bert, Grover, and Cookie Monster. In addition to his puppeteering work, Oz has had a successful career in film directing. He directed several popular films including “The Dark Crystal” (1982), “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984), “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986), “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (1988), “What About Bob?” (1991), and “Bowfinger” (1999). Oz is also known for his role as Yoda in the “Star Wars” franchise, providing the character’s voice and performing the puppet in the original trilogy and the prequels.

5 Interesting Facts about Frank Oz

1. Frank Oz was born in Hereford, England, but moved to the United States at the age of seven.

2. He has won several awards for his work, including an Emmy Award for his contributions to “Sesame Street.”

3. Oz was the voice and puppeteer for Yoda in the “Star Wars” films, a role that has become iconic in cinematic history.

4. He directed the 1986 musical horror comedy film “Little Shop of Horrors,” which has since become a cult classic.

5. Frank Oz was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2001 for his work with the Muppets.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Frank Oz

1. “I look for strong characters who have a journey that I can relate to and that are different from one another.”

2. “The most important thing is to be able to let go of the character and let them live their own life.”

3. “The characters I create often have a lot of me in them, but they also take on a life of their own.”

4. “Working with Jim Henson was one of the greatest experiences of my life. He was a mentor and a friend.”

5. “Yoda is very special to me because he’s a character that has transcended generations and has a lasting impact.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Frank Oz’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Frank Oz is married to Robin Oz, and they have four children together: three daughters and one son. Their names are not publicly disclosed to maintain their privacy.