24/09/2026
I never had the privilege of meeting Jim Henson, but over the years I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet, work with, and get to know so many of the people who did.
And through them, I feel like I’ve come to understand just a little of the person he was.
Creative, of course. Exceptionally talented. But also kind, collaborative, supportive, curious and empathetic. Someone who didn’t simply create extraordinary things himself, but who nurtured extraordinary people — giving them the space, encouragement and confidence to create, experiment, learn and become great in their own right.
That, to me, is such an important part of Jim’s legacy. It lives not only in the characters, films and worlds he created, but in the people he inspired and the creativity they have carried forward.
I chose this little behind-the-scenes moment from *The Dark Crystal* because that film will always be particularly special to me. The Great Con-Junction, our official *Dark Crystal* celebration, was the first Jim Henson event I ever produced. It introduced me to so many wonderful people and began a journey I could never have imagined at the time.
I feel enormously grateful to know some of the people Jim worked alongside — and incredibly privileged that, through our events, we have been able to play even a tiny part in celebrating the work they created together and keeping those stories alive.
I wish Jim were still here. I think everyone does.
But what a remarkable thing it is that, all these years later, the creativity, kindness and sense of possibility he put into the world continues to ripple outward through the people he inspired — and through all of us who were inspired by them.
We’ll keep doing our very best to honour that legacy.
Happy Birthday, Jim. We miss you. 💚
-
Zay
🔄Repost from Thames Con Instagram.
