Martin Robinson’s extensive career with Sesame Street and The Jim Henson Company since 1981 showcases his remarkable talent in bringing beloved characters to life. While he is widely recognized for characters like Aloysius Snuffleupagus and Telly Monster, his role as the puppeteer behind Slimey the Worm, the cheerful and adventurous Sesame Street worm, is particularly endearing to many fans.
Robinson’s involvement extends beyond performing. He has been instrumental in training puppeteers for international Sesame Street productions, sharing his expertise globally. His puppetry skills aren’t limited to television; they encompass stage productions as well. Notably, he designed, built, and performed Audrey II in the original productions of Little Shop of Horrors and contributed to the Lincoln Center’s production of Frogs.
His versatility is further demonstrated by his performance as The Cat in the Hat on The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss and his work on animatronics for Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Adding to his diverse portfolio, Robinson was a performer on the satirical British show Spitting Image. His creative endeavors also include directing and designing concert performances like “Night on Bald Mountain” and “Firebird” at Carnegie Hall. Since 1991, he has been a staff member at the O’Neill National Puppetry Conference, further cementing his commitment to the art form. In recent years, he wrote, designed, and directed the horror-comedy musical All Hallows Eve and performed as Mr. Primm in the Sesame Workshop series Helpsters. His wife Annie’s stage production, Aanika’s Elephants, also benefited from his talents as he built a herd of elephants for the show.
Martin Robinson’s dedication and passion have enriched the world of puppetry, making characters like the Sesame Street worm, Slimey, and many others unforgettable. His contributions continue to inspire and entertain audiences of all ages.
