Danny Seagren
Acting
Biography
Danny Seagren (born 15 November 1943) is an American puppeteer and trained dancer who worked for Jim Henson from 1968 in the early 1970s. Seagren performing reindeer in The Ed Sullivan Show rendition of the Christmas "Reindeer Bit." with Jim Henson in 1968. Other appearances on Ed Sullivan would include performing Big Bird in a dance number with birdwatchers. Seagren also filled in as Big Bird on Sesame Street for Episode 0083 and 0086 when Caroll Spinney was sick, toured as Big Bird with the human cast around America to promote the second season, and stood in as Big Bird in cast photos. Seagren later performed the pantomime role of Spider-Man on the Children's Television Workshop series The Electric Company. This was the first live-action depiction of the Marvel Comics character.
Known For
A live-action, recurring skit on the PBS children's television series The Electric Company. Episodes featured the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man, provided to the Children's Television Workshop free of charge, and was played by puppeteer and dancer Danny Seagren. Stories involved the masked superhero foiling mischievous characters who were involved in petty criminal activities. The cast of The Electric Company played the roles of the various characters in each story, with another serving as narrator. In many of these sketches, viewers were addressed as "true believers." Unlike other live-action and cartoon productions of Spider-Man, this version of the web-slinging hero did not speak out loud, instead communicating only with word balloons, in order to encourage young viewers to practice their reading skills because he was drawn without a mouth. He also never appeared out of his costume as Peter Parker and, given the series' budget limitations, used his web-shooters sparingly.
Spidey Super Stories
Three zany puppets bring to life our greatest opera treasures, as Joan Sutherland, the world’s most famous soprano, performs their highlights. The puppets make up the audience: Sir William, a wise old goat; Little Billy, his nephew; and Rudi, a rather boisterous lion. Sutherland first introduces them to the story of each opera. Then, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra and a first-rate cast, she moves onto the opera stage, complete with elaborate sets and elegant costumes. After each exquisite aria, the diva comes back to her inquisitive friends and unfolds the plot.
Who's Afraid of Opera?
Santa Claus and his elves are ready to deliver presents to children everywhere, but the evil wizard, Cosmo Scam, has hatched a plot to kidnap Santa and take his place! One by one, Cosmo abducts Santa’s elves and replaces them with his evil henchmen. Can Fred the Elf save Christmas before Cosmo burglarizes the world?
The Great Santa Claus Switch
A retelling of the classic fairy tale of The Frog Prince featuring Kermit the Frog, Kermit's nephew Robin, Sweetums, and a princess cursed to say everything wackbards...I mean backwards.
Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince
Four mistreated farm animals seek refuge as a band of traveling musicians in this musical tale narrated by Kermit the Frog.