Danny Seagren, the first performer ever to play Spider-Man in live action, has died.
The Jim Henson–trained puppeteer died on November 10 at his home in Little River, South Carolina, aged 81, his family confirmed.
Mr Seagren made television history on the PBS series The Electric Company, where he portrayed Spider-Man in a series of silent, pantomimed sketches that introduced the Marvel hero to a generation of children.
The character communicated through cartoon thought bubbles, helping young viewers develop reading skills while battling villains such as the Funny Bunny and the Birthday Bandit.
Danny Seagren
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A trained dancer from Minneapolis, Mr Seagren moved to New York in the late 1960s, where a chance encounter with Jim Henson changed the course of his career.
Henson personally trained him in puppetry in 1968. “He wanted to train someone who had never done puppets before,” Mr Seagren said in a 2015 interview.
“He said, ‘Here’s a puppet, take it home, come back on Tuesday and we’ll rehearse.’”
Within two weeks, Mr Seagren was performing a reindeer puppet on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Danny Seagren
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His career quickly expanded: he covered for Caroll Spinney as Big Bird on Sesame Street, performed in parades and live specials, and contributed to Captain Kangaroo, Who’s Afraid of Opera with Joan Sutherland, and Miss Peach of the Kelly School.
The actor won a Daytime Emmy in 1980 for his work on a Thanksgiving episode.
His audition for The Electric Company in 1974 became legendary. “I jumped over his shoulder, but not quite over his head, and landed on the desk in the middle of the room,” Mr Seagren recalled of his leap over producer Andrew Ferguson.
“I did a few more moves and he said, ‘You got the job.”
Mr Seagren appeared in around three dozen episodes of the children’s programme, working alongside stars including Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman.
He remained a beloved figure among fans, attending comic conventions where adults often approached him with memories of watching his Spider-Man as children.
Tributes have poured in for the beloved Spider-Man and Muppet performer following the announcement of his death.
Illustrator Guy Gilchrist, a major contributor to the early Jim Henson universe and long-time colleague of Mr Seagren, shared a moving tribute on Instagram honouring the performer’s legacy.
“The MUPPET FAMILY has lost one of our own,” Gilchrist wrote. “Danny Seagren (born November 15, 1943) has moved on from this plane.
“Danny was a prominent figure in Jim’s early career, a puppeteer, puppet maker and trained dancer, and is best known for Sesame Street and as the first live-action performer of Spider-Man on the 1970s television series The Electric Company.”
He went on to list the star’s many career milestones, writing: “Spider-Man: From 1974 to 1977, Seagren performed the pantomime role of Spider-Man in the ‘Spidey Super Stories’ segments on The Electric Company…
“Muppet Performer: Beginning in 1968, Seagren worked for Jim Henson… He was the performer of the early puppet who later became Gonzo!
“Big Bird: He was a stand-in and touring performer for Big Bird…
“Other Work: Danny designed and built puppets for other shows including Captain Kangaroo and Miss Peach, for which he received a Daytime Emmy.”
Danny Seagren
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Mr Gilchrist added: “He will always be remembered as an integral part of many children’s everyday educational TV shows, and a beloved member of The Jim Henson’s Muppets Family.”
Fans of the performer quickly flooded the comments with messages of support and remembrance.
“What an incredible career and you will be greatly missed! Loved watching the Muppet Show!” wrote one admirer.
Another added: “What a talented man! It’s very sad to hear this news. Sending love to his family and friends.”
A third commented: “Oh how sad. RIP Danny, you will be missed so much.”
“So sorry for your loss,” another follower penned.
Mr Seagren is survived by his longtime companion Kate Vereau, his brother Dr Stephen L. Seagren, sister-in-law Jill R. Seagren and nephew Sean G. Seagren.
The family plans a celebration of life at a later date, and has requested that memorial donations be made to the Entertainment Community Fund.
“Danny will be greatly missed by his family, friends and those throughout the community he loved living in,” they said.