Rowlf the Dog puppet

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Object Details

Description (Brief): This Rowlf puppet is one of the earliest made to perform this Muppet character, a genial, cool, and musically gifted dog. Rowlf became the first nationally-known Muppet star when he joined Jimmy Dean as a wisecracking sidekick on the popular country singer's comedy and variety show, The Jimmy Dean Show, from 1963-1966. Since then, Rowlf has been a featured member of the cast of The Muppet Show, Muppet movies, and other Muppet productions.; Rowlf was first designed by Jim Henson and built by Don Sahlin for Purina Dog Chow commercials in the early 1960s. Rowlf was also used as a 'spokesdog' in films made for IBM in the 1960s. Henson made a meeting film discussing the IBM Model D called "Rowlf 100% Club - IBM Confidential" in 1967.; This Rowlf is a live-hand puppet made of brown synthetic fur with a black plastic nose. In a live-hand puppet like Rowlf one of the performer’s hands is in the puppet’s head while the other is in one of the puppet’s arms, which has gloves for hands. Another puppeteer is usually needed to operate the other arm, which is known as right-handing.
Location: Currently not on view

Credit Line: Gift of the Family of Jim Henson: Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, Brian Henson, John Henson and Heather Henson

1960s

Physical Description: synthetic fibers (overall material); plastic (overall material); foam (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 24 in x 19 in; 60.96 cm x 48.26 cm

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-9b0d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa