Apr 13
" So long Partner.. " I had to make a tribute image to Sid Krofft , Rest in Peace.
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" So long Partner.. " I had to make a tribute image to Sid Krofft , Rest in Peace.
R.I.P. Sid Krofft
Young Sid Krofft (né Cydus Yolas) with his Siamese dancer marionettes. Photographed by Gabriel Desmarais in Montreal, c. 1950.
TV producer Sid Krofft, the puppeteer and co-mastermind behind fantastical 1970s Saturday morning television shows including 'H.R. Pufnstuf,
Sid Krofft, the producer of 'H.R. Pufnstuf' and 'Land of the Lost,' died Friday in Los Angeles.
Remembering Sid Krofft 1929-2026
Sad news for Gen Xers today. TV producer / creator / puppeteer Sid Krofft has died at 96. He and his brother Marty, who died in 2023, created so much great children’s television, especially in the 70s.
compilation of Sid and Marty Krofft shows
Many of their shows were ones I got into when I saw them in syndication as a kid, notably The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (NBC 1968-1970), H.R. Pufnstuf (NBC 1969-1970), The Bugaloos (NBC 1970-1972), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (NBC 1973-1975), Land of the Lost (NBC 1974-1977), and Pryor’s Place (CBS 1984-1985). All shows I remember fondly as a kid and really enjoyed watching the wacky almost drug-induced puppets getting into crazy situations each episode. Land of the Lost was one I dug a lot! They also did some shows in primetime non-children’s shows like their political comedy D.C. Follies (syndicated 1987-1989), which was pretty funny too.
Sid's Super Megafest poster
In 2024, I got to have a brief chat with Sid at the Super Megafest. He said “I’ve had and I’m still having the most incredible career. This is my 84th year in show business. Before television, I was a performer. In 1946, I was here [Massachusetts] with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. When the big top sat 15,000 people. I’m a puppeteer and one of the biggest honors I ever had was when the biggest star in the world was going out on her first tour, for a whole year we toured the country and I was her opening act. It was Judy Garland.” I asked Mr. Krofft of all the shows he produced or created what stood as his personal favorite? He says “It has to be your first child, which was H.R. Pufnstuf. Before that I only created and built the costumes for The Banana Splits. That’s what got us into television since that was a big hit, the network asked us to come up with an idea. We never did a pilot. We sold everyone based on an art show of the characters and the executives would sit around and I would tell them the story with pictures. So that’s how it all happened. I’m still working! I tell everyone when they ask me where I came up with all my ideas, ever since I was 10 years old, I went left. Everyone else goes right. So take the chance and go left!”
Mr. Krofft was truly a TV legend and he could not have been any nicer!
RIP SID KROFFT
1929-2026
Sid Krofft (née Cydus Yolas) was born on July 30, 1929 in Montréal, Québec, Canada. With his brother Marty Krofft (1937-2023), he created some of television's most fantastic and magical programs, mostly centered around puppetry. Lucille Ball's interaction with the Krofft brothers was brief, but memorable.
The Krofft puppets first gained attention at the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair where they presented a show called "Les Poupees de Paris" that included marionettes impersonating popular celebrities. In 1964-1965, they presented the (updated) show at the Worlds Fair in New York. In 1967, Ball's recorded voice, along with Jackie Gleason, Liberace, and Mae West and many other stars, was heard in “Six Flags presents Sid and Marty Krofft’s Circus”.
On September 30, 1977, Donny and Marie welcomed Lucille Ball, who plays the Tin Lady in a Krofft-style spoof of “The Wizard of Oz” starring Ray Bolger. The first three seasons of "The Donny & Marie Show" were produced by the Kroffts, who also created the variety series. Ball appeared on the 2nd episode of the show's 3rd season, and the Osmonds (after a long legal battle) had finally won creative control from the Kroffts feeling they had outgrown the child-like atmosphere created by them. They moved the show to Utah and took over as producers just two months after this episode aired. In this episode, however, the Krofft vibe is still palpably present.
A few Lucille Ball / Desilu performers were seen on Krofft's many television shows.
Johnny Silver played Ludicrous Lion on TV's "H.R. Pufnstuf" (1969) and appeared as Dr. Blinky in the 1970 feature film.
Charles Nelson Reilly and Jerry Maren (both seen on "Here's Lucy") were part of "Lidsville" (1971).
1972's telefilm "Fol-De-Rol" (a film of their 1968 fairy tale puppet show) included Lucy guest stars Ann Sothern, Mickey Rooney, and Totie Fields.
"Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" (1972) starred Ball's good friend Mary Wickes as Aunt Zelda, and also featured Sidney Miller as the voice of Sweet Mama Ooze.
"The Lost Saucer" (1975) included Lucy friends Ruth Buzzi, Jim Nabors, and Vito Scotti.
"Far Out Space Nuts" (1975) featured Hal Smith and John Carradine, both of whom had appeared on "The Lucy Show."
Also seen on "Donny & Marie" during the Krofft years were Desi Arnaz, Jack Albertson, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Ruth Buzzi, Buddy Hackett, Edgar Bergen, Andy Griffith, Rich Little, Iron Eyes Cody, Arthur Godfrey, and Vincent Price.
Sid Krofft was 96 years old. He died in Los Angeles.
RIP MARTY KROFFT (he/him I reckon)
He and puppeteer brother Sid partnered on 'The Banana Splits Adventure Hour,' 'H.R. Pufnstuf,' 'Land of the Lost' and much more.