Frank Oz
Frank Oz | |
|---|---|
 Oz at the 38th Annual Saturn Awards 2012 | |
| Born | Frank Richard Oznowicz 25 May 1944 Hereford, Herefordshire, England |
| Nationality | American[1] |
| Education | Oakland Technical High School |
| Alma mater | Oakland City College |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1963–present |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 4[4] |
Frank Oz (born Frank Richard Oznowicz;[3] 25 May 1944) is a British-born American actor, puppeteer, director and producer. He began his career as a puppeteer, performing the Muppet characters of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam Eagle in The Muppet Show; and Cookie Monster, Bert, and Grover in Sesame Street.[5] He is also known for the role of Yoda in the Star Wars series, providing the voice for the character in several films and television series.
His work as a director includes Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), What About Bob? (1991), In & Out (1997), Bowfinger (1999), The Score (2001), Death at a Funeral (2007), and an episode of the US TV series Leverage (2011).
Early life
Oz was born in Hereford, England; the son of Frances (née Ghevaert; 1910–1989) and Isidore Oznowicz (1916–1998), both of whom were puppeteers.[6] His father was also a window trimmer.[2][7] His parents moved to England after fighting the Nazis with the Dutch Brigades. Oz's Dutch-Polish father was Jewish and his Flemish mother was a lapsed Catholic.[3][8][9][10] They left England when he was six months old and lived in Belgium until he was five.[11][12] Oz and his family moved to Montana in 1951.[7] They eventually settled in Oakland, California.[2] Oz attended Oakland Technical High School and Oakland City College. He worked as an apprentice puppeteer at Children's Fairyland as a teenager[13] with the Vagabond Puppets, a production of the Oakland Recreation Department, where Lettie Connell[14] was his mentor.
Career
Puppeteering
Oz is known for his work as a puppeteer, performing with Jim Henson's Muppets. His characters have included Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam Eagle on The Muppet Show, and Grover, Cookie Monster and Bert on Sesame Street.
In addition to performing a variety of characters, Oz has been one of the primary collaborators responsible for the development of the Muppets over the last 30 years. Oz has performed as a Muppet performer in over 75 productions including Labyrinth, video releases, and television specials, as well as countless other public appearances, episodes of Sesame Street, and other Jim Henson series. His puppetry work spans from 1963 to the present, although he semi-retired from performing his Muppets characters in 2001.[15] In 2001, his characters were taken over primarily by Eric Jacobson (with David Rudman as Cookie Monster).[16]
Oz explained why he decided on leaving the Muppets in a 2007 interview:
"One was that I was a dad, I have four kids. The reason was that I was constantly asked to do stuff. And also, I'd done this for 30 years, and I'd never wanted to be a puppeteer in the first place. I wanted to be a journalist, and really what I wanted to do was direct theatre and direct movies. So it was more a slow progression, working with Jim, but I felt limited. As an actor and a performer, you always feel limited because you're not the source of the creation, and I wanted to be the source. I wanted to be the guy and give my view of the world. And if I screw it up, I screw it up, but at least I tried. And as a director, what you're really showing is you're showing the audience your view of the world...I've always enjoyed, more than anything else in the world, bringing things to life, whether it's characters or actors in a scene or moments in movies. I've done so much with the puppets, that I'd always wanted to work with actors."[17]
Oz is also known as the performer of Jedi Master Yoda from George Lucas' Star Wars series. Jim Henson had originally been contacted by Lucas about possibly performing Yoda. Henson was preoccupied and instead suggested Oz to be assigned as chief puppeteer of the character, as well as a creative consultant. Oz performed the puppet and provided the voice for Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).[18] Oz also provided the voice of the computer-generated imagery (CGI) Yoda in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). The conversion to CGI was met with some criticism among fans, but Oz himself said that was "exactly what [Lucas] should have done."[19] Oz had a great deal of creative input on the character and was himself responsible for creating the character's trademark syntax.[20] Oz returned to voice Yoda in several Disney theme park attractions, Star Tours–The Adventures Continue and within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge[21][22] as well as in the Star Wars Rebels episodes, "Path of the Jedi" and "Shroud of Darkness".
Directing
Inspiration as a filmmaker came to Oz upon a viewing of the Orson Welles film Touch of Evil (1958), the director told Robert K. Elder in an interview for The Film That Changed My Life:[23]
"I think it opened up my view of film — that there's so much more that could be done. Actually, by breaking so many rules, he allowed other people to say, 'Hey, I can maybe think of some stuff, too!' He just opened up the possibilities more for me. That's what he did."[24]
Oz began his behind-the-camera work when he co-directed the fantasy film The Dark Crystal with long-time collaborator Jim Henson. The film featured the most advanced puppets ever created for a movie.[citation needed] Oz further employed those skills in directing 1984's The Muppets Take Manhattan, as well as sharing a screenwriting credit.
In 1986, he directed his first film that did not involve Henson, Little Shop Of Horrors. The musical film starred Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene, as well as Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, John Candy, Christopher Guest, Jim Belushi and a 15-foot-tall talking plant (voiced by Levi Stubbs) which at times required up to 40 puppeteers to operate. The film allowed Oz to show his ability to work with live actors and led to opportunities to direct films that did not include puppetry.
Usually helming comedic productions, Oz went on to direct Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 1988, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine; What About Bob? in 1991, starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss; and Housesitter in 1992, starring Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn (all of which were scored by Miles Goodman). Later films include The Indian in the Cupboard (1995), In & Out (1997), Bowfinger (1999), The Score (2001), the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives, and the original Death at a Funeral (2007).
Oz has frequently experienced on-set tension while directing his films, notably during the productions of What About Bob?, In & Out, The Score and The Stepford Wives.[11][25][26][27]
Unrealized projects
In the late 1980s, Oz was attached to direct a film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button for Universal Pictures, with Martin Short slated to star. Oz dropped out of the project after he could not work out how to make the story work.[28][29]
Oz was also going to direct the 1990 film Mermaids after Lasse Hallström dropped out of the project.[30] However, Oz also left the project due to creative differences and was ultimately replaced by Richard Benjamin.[31] Oz reportedly did not get along with Cher, who starred in the film.[32]
It was reported in 1992 that Oz was slated to direct a film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls for The Geffen Film Company. Oz also planned to direct an unmade film titled Swing Vote before directing Dreamgirls.[33]
In the late 1990s, it was reported that Oz was going to direct either Sylvester Stallone or Bruce Willis in an unmade film titled Ump for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.[34][35][36][37]
Oz claimed in a 2007 interview with The A.V. Club that he turned down the offer to direct Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).[38]
In 2006, Dick Cook hired Oz to write and direct The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made for Walt Disney Pictures. However, Disney passed on the project in favor of Jason Segel's script following Cook's departure from the studio.[39][40]
Acting
As an actor, Oz appeared in one scene as a Prison Storeroom Keeper in The Blues Brothers (1980), directed by John Landis. He appeared in a similar role and scene in Trading Places (1983), also directed by Landis. He had roles in several other Landis films including An American Werewolf in London (1981), Spies Like Us (1985), Innocent Blood (1992) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998). In 2001 he had a voice acting role in the Pixar film Monsters, Inc. as Randall's scare assistant, Fungus.[41] In 2005, he had a minor part in the Columbia film Zathura as the voice of the robot.
Other cameos have included playing a surgeon in scenes cut from the theatrical release of Superman III,[42] The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan and several other Jim Henson-related films that did not involve just his puppeteering.
Even if he does not appear in a Landis movie, his name is often spoken in the background. During airport scenes in Into the Night and Coming to America, there are announcements on the PA system for "Mr. Frank Oznowicz".[citation needed]
Personal life
Oz was previously married to Robin Garsen.[2] He is now married to Victoria Labalme.[4] Oz is the father of three sons and a daughter.[4] He maintained a residence in England for nine years[12] and currently resides in Manhattan (as of 2012).[4]
Filmography
Film
Filmmaking credits
| Year | Film | Director | Producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Great Muppet Caper | No | Yes | No | |
| 1982 | The Dark Crystal | Yes | No | No | Co-directed with Jim Henson |
| 1984 | The Muppets Take Manhattan | Yes | No | Yes | |
| 1986 | Little Shop of Horrors | Yes | No | No | |
| 1988 | Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | Yes | No | No | |
| 1991 | What About Bob? | Yes | No | No | |
| 1992 | Housesitter | Yes | No | No | |
| The Muppet Christmas Carol | No | executive | No | ||
| 1995 | The Indian in the Cupboard | Yes | No | No | |
| 1996 | Muppet Treasure Island | No | executive | No | |
| 1997 | In & Out | Yes | No | No | |
| 1999 | Bowfinger | Yes | No | No | |
| 2001 | The Score | Yes | No | No | |
| 2004 | The Stepford Wives | Yes | No | No | |
| 2007 | Death at a Funeral | Yes | No | No | |
| 2017 | Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched |
Yes | Yes | No | Documentary |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969–2013 | Sesame Street | Bert Grover Cookie Monster Lefty the Salesman Harvey Kneeslapper Additional characters |
Puppeteer/Voice; Semi-now performs his characters a few episodes per year. |
| 1975–1976 | Saturday Night Live | The Mighty Favog | Puppeteer/Voice The Land of Gorch segments |
| 1976–1981 | The Muppet Show | Fozzie Bear Miss Piggy Sam Eagle Animal Marvin Suggs George the Janitor Additional characters |
Puppeteer/Voice |
| 1977 | Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas | Alice Otter (puppetry) Chuck Stoat (puppetry and voice) |
Puppeteer/Voice; Television film |
| 1989–1990 | The Jim Henson Hour | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear |
Puppeteer/Voice |
| 1990 | The Muppets at Walt Disney World | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Animal | |
| 1994 | Jim Henson's Animal Show | Sam Eagle | Puppeteer/Voice; Episode: "Bald Eagle" |
| 1996–1998 | Muppets Tonight | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Sam Eagle Animal Additional characters |
Puppeteer/Voice |
| 1999 | CinderElmo | Bert Grover Cookie Monster |
Voice; Television film |
| 2015–2016 | Star Wars Rebels | Yoda | Voice; 2 episodes |
As director
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Funkhousers | Television film |
| 2011 | Leverage | Episode: "The Carnival Job" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Muppet Treasure Island | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear |
Voice |
| The Muppet CDROM: Muppets Inside | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Animal | ||
| 2000 | Muppet Monster Adventure | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear | |
| Muppet RaceMania | Miss Piggy Fozzie Bear Sam Eagle Animal |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Program | Result[47] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | News & Documentary Emmy Award | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming Shared with Fran Brill, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson & Caroll Spinney |
Sesame Street | Won |
| 1976 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Children's Programming Shared with Gerri Brioso, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson & Caroll Spinney |
Won | |
| 1977 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series Shared with Jack Burns, Dave Goelz, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, David Lazer, John Lovelady, Jerry Nelson, Eren Ozker & Caroll Spinney |
The Muppet Show | Nominated |
| 1978 | Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series Shared with Jim Henson, David Lazer, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt & Dave Goelz |
Won | ||
| 1979 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming Shared with Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson & Caroll Spinney |
Won | |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series Shared with Jim Henson, David Lazer, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt & Dave Goelz |
Nominated |
References
- ^ Douglas, Edward (August 10, 2007). "Exclusive: A Chat with Frank Oz". ComingSoon.net. Evolve Media, LLC. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Peterson, Karen; Hauptfuhrer, Fred (June 9, 1980). "Yoda Mania". People. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c "A Conversation with Frank Oz at the Museum of the Moving Image". Jimhensonlegacy.org. October 25, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Paquette, Danielle (July 26, 2012). "Frank Oz speaks — but not as Yoda or Miss Piggy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ "Frank Oz". AllMusic.
- ^ "Frank Oz Biography – Yahoo! Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Plume, Kenneth (February 18, 2000). "Interview with Frank Oz (Part 1 of 4)". IGN. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ "Oz L.A. Times Score article- Edward Norton Information Page". Workprint.powweb.com. July 9, 2001. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ "JewishJournal.com". JewishJournal.com. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ Arnold, William (June 8, 2007). "seattlepi.com "Director Frank Oz takes a new tack with low-budget dark comedy, 'Death at a Funeral'" William Arnold, 6/8/07". Seattlepi.com. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Clark, John (August 12, 2007). "Frank Oz and that little voice inside". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
- ^ a b Rabin, Nathan (August 16, 2007). "Frank Oz". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ^ "Children's Fairyland". The New York Times. February 5, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
- ^ "International Puppet Museum: Lettie Connell Schuburt". Puppetrymuseum.org. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ Setoodeh, Ramin (March 11, 2014). "How Kermit and the Muppets Got Their Mojo Back". Variety. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
- ^ Lloyd, Robert (May 16, 2015). "If Harry Shearer leaves 'The Simpsons,' what will happen? Just ask Bugs Bunny". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ^ merrick. "Capone With Frank Oz About DEATH AT A FUNERAL, What Went Wrong On STEPFORD, And (Of Course)..." Aint It Cool News. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
- ^ Gray, Tim (January 15, 2018). "Rian Johnson Answers All Your Spoilery 'Star Wars' Questions About Luke And That Surprise Cameo". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Exclusive: A Chat with Frank Oz, comingsoon.net
- ^ Geoffrey K. Pullum (May 18, 2005). "Yoda's syntax the Tribune analyzes; supply more details I will!". Language Log. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
- ^ "Countdown to an All-New Star Tours | Fans Insider | Disney". Disney.go.com. May 10, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (April 13, 2019). "Frank Oz will voice Yoda in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge theme park". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Rabin, Nathan. "The Film That Changed My Life: 30 Directors on Their Epiphanies in the Dark (9781556528255): Robert K. Elder: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ Oz, Frank. Interview by Robert K. Elder. The Film That Changed My Life. By Robert K. Elder. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2011. N. p. 272. Print.
- ^ "Capone With Frank Oz About Death at a Funeral, What Went Wrong On Stepford, And (Of Course) Yoda!!". Ain't It Cool News. August 7, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
- ^ Plume, Kenneth (February 10, 2000). "Interview with Frank Oz". IGN. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- ^ "Nicole Kidman-Frank Oz's Tense Remake". contactmusic.com. February 10, 2003.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (January 3, 2019). "The Curious Development History of 'Benjamin Button'". Collider (website). Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Cheney, Jen (May 29, 2009). "The story behind 'Benjamin Button'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Yglesias, Linda (December 17, 1990). "GETTING ALONG SWIMMINGLY". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Hinson, Hal (December 14, 1990). "'Mermaids' (PG-13)". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Clark, John (August 12, 2007). "Frank Oz and that little voice inside". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Murphy, Ryan (November 15, 1992). "A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : DEVELOPMENT HELL : 'Interview With a Vampire' and 'Dreamgirls' Looking Good to Ascend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (January 6, 1997). "Stallone pumped about 'Ump'". Variety. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Carver, Benedict; Fleming, Michael (June 25, 1998). "Willis may swing at 'Ump'". Variety. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ "BRUCE WILLIS MAY BE OUT, BUT MOVIE 'UMP' STILL ON". Orlando Sentinel. December 24, 1999. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Campbell, Ramsey (August 23, 2001). "MGM STUDIO STILL PITCHING IDEA OF FILMING 'UMP'". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Rabin, Nathan (August 16, 2007). "Frank Oz". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
I was asked to direct, like, the second Harry Potter and things like that, but I have no interest.
- ^ Masters, Kim (October 20, 2011). "Kermit as Mogul, Farting Fozzie Bear: How Disney's Muppets Movie Has Purists Rattled". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Ihla, Andrew. "The untold truth of Frank Oz". Looper.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Paquette, Danielle (July 12, 2012). "Frank Oz speaks — but not as Yoda or Miss Piggy". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
- ^ "Frank Oz". supermancinema.co.uk. Retrieved December 13, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Pixar's 'Inside Out' Cast Includes Some Awesome Voice Cameos (Spoilers)". Stitch Kingdom. May 20, 2015. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
- ^ "J.J. Abrams reveals Obi-Wan and Yoda are secretly in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' - EW.com".
- ^ "A Frank Oz-Directed Muppet Show Documentary Is Coming - Muppet Fans Who Grew Up - Tough Pigs". January 31, 2017.
- ^ "Muppet Guys Talking - Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched".
- ^ "Frank Oz – Awards". IMDb. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
External links
- Frank Oz at IMDb
- Frank Oz at the TCM Movie Database
- Frank Oz on Twitter
- Talking About Frank Oz at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
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- 1944 births
- Male actors from Oakland, California
- American male film actors
- American people of Dutch-Jewish descent
- American people of Flemish descent
- American people of Polish-Jewish descent
- American puppeteers
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- Daytime Emmy Award winners
- Emmy Award winners
- English emigrants to the United States
- American people of Jewish descent
- Film directors from California
- Living people
- Male actors from Montana
- Muppet performers
- People from Hereford
- Sesame Street Muppeteers
- Fraggle Rock performers
- Primetime Emmy Award winners