A young Frank Oz (left), Muppet Fozzie Bear, and Jim Henson

Puppeteer and film director Frank Oz was born Frank Richard Oznowicz
in Hereford, England. He launched his career as a teenager with Jim
Henson and the Muppets, and went on to become the performer behind
such characters as Miss Piggy, Grover, and Fozzie Bear. He also played
Yoda in the Star Wars franchise beginning in 1977. Oz has directed
several successful films, including the 1986 musical comedy Little Shop
of Horrors.

Frank Oz retired full-time from the Muppets in 2002.They are now handled
by Eric Jacobson and David Rudman. Oz still occasionally performs his
Sesame Street characters. 

Frank Oz lending popular Muppet Miss Piggy a HELPING HAND!

   Clint Ballard, Jr. (May 24, 1931 – December 23, 2008)

Ballard was a songwriter who wrote two Billboard Hot 100 number
one hits. The first was “Game of Love” by Wayne Fontana and
The Mindbenders in 1965. The second song was the 1975 hit,
”You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt, originally sung by “Dee
Dee” Warwick.

Sorensen demonstrating his novelty invention the
“Suction Cupped Plate” 

The Joy Buzzer

Soren Sorenson Adams (May 24, 1879 – October 20, 1963) was a 
Danish-born inventor who founded Adams Magic Manufacturing in
1906. He created novelty products such as the Joy Buzzer, Cachoo 
Sneeze Powder, the Dribble Glass and the Exploding Cigar.

Other prank products included the nut can with a spring snake. He
was once offered the rights to the Whoppee Cushion, but deemed
it “too indelicate”. He is credited with having invented over 650 joke
shop items. 

                
                                     The Snake Nut Can

1951