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'{{Short description|British-American actor and director (born 1944)}} {{Use American English|date = February 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date = February 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Frank Oz | image = Frank Oz 2012.jpg | image_size = | caption = Oz at the 38th Annual Saturn Awards 2012 | birth_name = Frank Richard Oznowicz | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1944|5|25}} | birth_place = [[Hereford]], [[Herefordshire]], England | nationality = American<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/23056-exclusive-a-chat-with-frank-oz/amp |title=Exclusive: A Chat with Frank Oz |last=Douglas |first=Edward |date=August 10, 2007 |website=ComingSoon.net |publisher=Evolve Media, LLC |access-date=September 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519041604/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/23056-exclusive-a-chat-with-frank-oz/amp |archive-date=May 19, 2018}}</ref> | education = [[Oakland Technical High School]] | alma_mater = [[Laney College|Oakland City College]] | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|director|producer|puppeteer}} | years_active = 1961–present | spouse = {{marriage|Robin Garsen<ref name=people/>|1979|2005|reason=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Victoria Labalme<ref name="jimhensonlegacy1">{{cite web|url=http://www.jimhensonlegacy.org/about/legacy-events/107-a-conversation-with-frank-oz-at-the-museum-of-the-moving-image |title=A Conversation with Frank Oz at the Museum of the Moving Image |publisher=Jimhensonlegacy.org |date=October 25, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2012}}</ref>|2011}} | children = 4<ref name="lat2">{{cite news|last=Paquette|first=Danielle|title=Frank Oz speaks — but not as Yoda or Miss Piggy|date=July 26, 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/26/entertainment/la-et-mn-frank-oz-yoda-miss-piggy-20120726|access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> }} '''Frank Oz''' (born '''Frank Richard Oznowicz''';<ref name="jimhensonlegacy1"/> May 25, 1944) is a British-born American actor, filmmaker and [[puppeteer]]. He began his career as a puppeteer, performing the [[The Muppets|Muppet]] characters of [[Miss Piggy]], [[Fozzie Bear]], [[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]], and [[Sam Eagle]] in ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', and [[Cookie Monster]], [[Bert (Sesame Street)|Bert]], and [[Grover]] in ''[[Sesame Street]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/frank-oz-mn0000144002/credits|title=Frank Oz|work=AllMusic}}</ref> He is also known for the role of [[Yoda]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' series, providing the voice for the character in several films and television series. His work as a director includes ''[[The Dark Crystal]]'' (1982), ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]'' (1984), ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (1986 film)|Little Shop of Horrors]]'' (1986), ''[[Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (film)|Dirty Rotten Scoundrels]]'' (1988), ''[[What About Bob?]]'' (1991), ''[[In & Out (film)|In & Out]]'' (1997), ''[[Death at a Funeral (2007 film)|Death at a Funeral]]'' (2007), and an episode of the US television series ''[[Leverage (American TV series)|Leverage]]'' (2011). ==Early life== Oz was born on May 25, 1944, in [[Hereford]], [[Herefordshire]], England; the son of Frances (née Ghevaert; 1910–1989) and Isidore Oznowicz (1916–1998), both of whom were [[puppeteer]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800020736/bio |title=Frank Oz Biography – Yahoo! Movies |publisher=Movies.yahoo.com |access-date=September 26, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223135/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800020736/bio |archive-date=2011-06-28 }}</ref> His father was also a window trimmer.<ref name=people/><ref name=ign>{{cite web|last=Plume|first=Kenneth|title=Interview with Frank Oz (Part 1 of 4)|date=18 February 2000|website=IGN|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/10/interview-with-frank-oz-part-1-of-4|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> His parents moved to England after fighting the [[Nazism|Nazis]] with the [[Royal Netherlands Motorized Infantry Brigade|Dutch Brigades]]. Oz's Dutch-Polish father was [[Jewish]], and his Flemish mother was a [[lapsed Catholic]].<ref name="jimhensonlegacy1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://workprint.powweb.com/score/ozlatimes.html |title=Oz L.A. Times Score article- Edward Norton Information Page |publisher=Workprint.powweb.com |date=2001-07-09 |access-date=2011-09-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902152401/http://workprint.powweb.com/score/ozlatimes.html |archive-date=2011-09-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/arts/article/the_wizard_of_score_20010803/ |title=JewishJournal.com |publisher=JewishJournal.com |access-date=2011-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Arnold |first=William |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/319064_frankoz09.html |title=''seattlepi.com'' "Director Frank Oz takes a new tack with low-budget dark comedy, 'Death at a Funeral'" William Arnold, 6/8/07 |publisher=Seattlepi.com |date=2007-06-08 |access-date=2011-09-26}}</ref> They left England when he was six months old and lived in [[Belgium]] until he was five.<ref name=lat/><ref name=avclub>{{cite news|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|title=Frank Oz|date=16 August 2007|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/frank-oz-14141|access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> Oz and his family moved to [[Montana]] in 1951.<ref name=ign/> They eventually settled in [[Oakland, California]].<ref name=people>{{cite magazine|last2=Hauptfuhrer|first2=Fred|last1=Peterson|first1=Karen|title=Yoda Mania|date=9 June 1980|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20076674,00.html|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Oz attended [[Oakland Technical High School]] and [[Laney College|Oakland City College]]. He worked as an apprentice puppeteer at [[Children's Fairyland]] as a teenager<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/us/06bclocalintel.html|title=Children's Fairyland|date=February 5, 2011|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 April 2013}}</ref> with the Vagabond Puppets, a production of the Oakland Recreation Department, where Lettie Connell was his mentor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puppetrymuseum.org/IPM-Lettie.html |title=International Puppet Museum: Lettie Connell Schuburt |publisher=Puppetrymuseum.org |access-date=2011-09-26}}</ref> ==Career== ===Performing=== Oz is known for his work as a puppeteer, performing<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-30|title=Frank Oz on life as Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and Yoda: ‘I’d love to do the Muppets again but Disney doesn’t want me’|url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/aug/30/frank-oz-on-life-as-fozzie-bear-miss-piggy-and-yoda-id-love-to-do-the-muppets-again-but-disney-doesnt-want-me|access-date=2021-08-31|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> with [[Jim Henson]]'s [[The Muppets|Muppets]]. As a teenager, he worked with the Vagabond Puppets at the [[Children's Fairyland|Children's Fairyland of Oakland]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mailman|first=Erika|date=2010-09-16|title=Looking Back: Muppet man Oz got start at Children's Fairyland in Oakland|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2010/09/16/looking-back-muppet-man-oz-got-start-at-childrens-fairyland-in-oakland/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=East Bay Times|language=en-US}}</ref> which is how he first met Henson.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sauer|first=Patrick|title=A Theory About Muppet Master Frank Oz|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/theory-about-muppet-master-frank-oz-180969981/|date=2018-08-13|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Smithsonian Magazine|language=en}}</ref> He was 19 when he joined Henson in New York to work on the Muppets in 1963.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Jim Henson Company {{!}} Our Founders|url=https://www.henson.com/our-founders.php|access-date=2021-01-25|website=www.henson.com}}</ref> His characters have included [[Miss Piggy]], [[Fozzie Bear]], [[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]], and [[Sam Eagle]] on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', and [[Grover]], [[Cookie Monster]] and [[Bert (Sesame Street)|Bert]] on ''[[Sesame Street]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/03/frank-oz-muppet-documentary-miss-piggys-troubled-past-and-more |title=Frank Oz on His New Muppet Documentary, Miss Piggy's Troubled Past, and More |last=Kamp |first=David |date=March 14, 2018 |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> In addition to performing a variety of characters, Oz was one of the primary collaborators responsible for the development of the Muppets. Oz performed as a Muppet performer in over 75 productions, including ''[[Labyrinth (1986 film)|Labyrinth]]'', video releases, and [[television special]]s, as well as countless other public appearances, episodes of ''Sesame Street'', and other Jim Henson series. His puppetry work spans from 1963 to the present, although he semi-retired from performing his Muppets characters in 2001.<ref>{{cite news|last=Setoodeh|first=Ramin|title=How Kermit and the Muppets Got Their Mojo Back|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/the-muppets-talk-about-comebacks-and-their-relationship-with-disney-1201128921/|access-date=12 March 2014|newspaper=Variety|date=11 March 2014}}</ref> In 2001, his characters were taken over primarily by [[Eric Jacobson]] (with [[David Rudman]] as Cookie Monster).<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-critics-notebook-voices-carry-20150515-column.html|title = If Harry Shearer leaves 'The Simpsons,' what will happen? Just ask Bugs Bunny|last = Lloyd|first = Robert|date = May 16, 2015|work = Los Angeles Times|access-date = May 20, 2015}}</ref> Oz explained why he decided on leaving the Muppets in a 2007 interview: {{quote|text="One was that I was a dad, I have four kids. The reason was that I was constantly asked to do stuff. And also, I'd done this for 30 years, and I'd never wanted to be a puppeteer in the first place. I wanted to be a journalist, and really what I wanted to do was direct theatre and direct movies. So it was more a slow progression, working with Jim, but I felt limited. As an actor and a performer, you always feel limited because you're not the source of the creation, and I wanted to be the source. I wanted to be the guy and give my view of the world. And if I screw it up, I screw it up, but at least I tried. And as a director, what you're really showing is you're showing the audience your view of the world...I've always enjoyed, more than anything else in the world, bringing things to life, whether it's characters or actors in a scene or moments in movies. I've done so much with the puppets, that I'd always wanted to work with actors."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/33610|title=Capone With Frank Oz About DEATH AT A FUNERAL, What Went Wrong On STEPFORD, And (Of Course)...|website=Aint It Cool News|date=2007-08-07|access-date=2021-01-25}}</ref>}} Oz is also known as the performer of [[Jedi]] Master [[Yoda]] from [[George Lucas]]' ''[[Star Wars]]'' series. Jim Henson had originally been contacted by Lucas about possibly performing Yoda. Henson was preoccupied and instead suggested Oz be assigned as the chief puppeteer of the character, as well as a creative consultant. Oz performed the puppet and provided the voice for Yoda in ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980), ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983), ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' (1999), and ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' (2017).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/awards/rian-johnson-spoilers-star-wars-last-jedi-1202645786/|title=Rian Johnson Answers All Your Spoilery 'Star Wars' Questions About Luke And That Surprise Cameo|last=Gray|first=Tim|date=January 15, 2018|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=January 16, 2018}}</ref> Director [[Rian Johnson]] decided to return to using a puppet instead of using CGI in ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' (2017), even using the original mold, this was because he felt CGI wouldn't have worked as it wasn't true to the Yoda Luke knew in ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980).<ref>{{cite AV media | people=Wonke, Anthony (director) | date= 2018 | title=The Director and The Jedi| type=Documentary}}</ref> Oz also provided the voice of the [[computer-generated imagery]] (CGI) Yoda in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) and ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005). The conversion to CGI was met with some criticism among fans, but Oz himself said that was "exactly what [Lucas] should have done."<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=23056 Exclusive: A Chat with Frank Oz], comingsoon.net</ref> Oz had a great deal of creative input on the character and was himself responsible for creating the character's trademark [[syntax]]. Oz returned to voice Yoda in several Disney theme park attractions, ''[[Star Tours–The Adventures Continue]]'' and within [[Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge|''Star Wars'': Galaxy's Edge]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://disney.go.com/disneyfans/insider/article/20110510 |title=Countdown to an All-New Star Tours &#124; Fans Insider &#124; Disney|publisher=Disney.go.com |date=2011-05-10 |access-date=2011-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/13/galaxys-edge-star-wars-celebration/|title=Frank Oz will voice Yoda in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge theme park|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|date=April 13, 2019|work=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 31, 2019}}</ref> as well as in the ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' episodes, "Path of the Jedi" and "Shroud of Darkness". Oz voiced Yoda in the 2020 Oculus Quest VR game "Tales from the Galaxy's Edge" alongside original C-3P0 voice actor [[Anthony Daniels]].<ref>[https://www.oculus.com/blog/frank-oz-to-voice-yoda-in-star-wars-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge Frank Oz to Voice Yoda in ‘Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge], Oculus.com</ref> He directed the 2017 documentary ''Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched'' in which he and other Muppet performers discuss working behind the scenes with Jim Henson and the Muppets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Muppet Guys Talking|url=https://muppetguystalking.com/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=muppetguystalking.com}}</ref> ===Directing=== Inspiration as a filmmaker came to Oz upon a viewing of the Orson Welles film ''[[Touch of Evil]]'' (1958), the director told [[Robert K. Elder]] in an interview for ''[[The Film That Changed My Life]]'':<ref>{{cite web |last=Rabin |first=Nathan |url=https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556528256/ref=nosim/wwwrobelderco-20 |title=The Film That Changed My Life: 30 Directors on Their Epiphanies in the Dark (9781556528255): Robert K. Elder: Books |publisher=Amazon.com |access-date=2011-09-26}}</ref> {{quote|text="I think it opened up my view of film — that there's so much more that could be done. Actually, by breaking so many rules, he allowed other people to say, 'Hey, I can maybe think of some stuff, too!' He just opened up the possibilities more for me. That's what he did."<ref>{{cite book |last=Elder |first=Robert K. |chapter=Frank Oz on ''Touch of Evil'' |title=The Film That Changed My Life |publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]] |year=2011 |page=272 |isbn=978-1-556-52825-5}}</ref>}} [[File:Frank Oz - 1984.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Oz in 1984]] Oz began his behind-the-camera work when he co-directed the fantasy film ''[[The Dark Crystal]]'' with long-time collaborator [[Jim Henson]]. The film featured the most advanced puppets ever created for a movie.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} Oz further employed those skills in directing 1984's ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]'', as well as sharing a screenwriting credit. In 1986, he directed his first film that did not involve Henson, ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (film)|Little Shop Of Horrors]]''. The musical film starred [[Rick Moranis]] and [[Ellen Greene]], as well as [[Vincent Gardenia]], [[Steve Martin]], [[Bill Murray]], [[John Candy]], [[Christopher Guest]], [[Jim Belushi]] and a 15-foot-tall talking plant (voiced by [[Levi Stubbs]]) which at times required up to 40 puppeteers to operate. The film allowed Oz to show his ability to work with live actors and led to opportunities to direct films that did not include puppetry. Usually helming comedic productions, Oz went on to direct ''[[Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (film)|Dirty Rotten Scoundrels]]'' in 1988, starring Steve Martin and [[Michael Caine]]; ''[[What About Bob?]]'' in 1991, starring Bill Murray and [[Richard Dreyfuss]]; and ''[[Housesitter (film)|Housesitter]]'' in 1992, starring Steve Martin and [[Goldie Hawn]] (all of which were scored by [[Miles Goodman]]). Later films include ''[[The Indian in the Cupboard (film)|The Indian in the Cupboard]]'' (1995), ''[[In & Out (film)|In & Out]]'' (1997), ''[[Bowfinger]]'' (1999), ''[[The Score (2001 film)|The Score]]'' (2001), the 2004 remake of ''[[The Stepford Wives (2004 film)|The Stepford Wives]]'', and the original ''[[Death at a Funeral (2007 film)|Death at a Funeral]]'' (2007). Oz has frequently experienced on-set tension while directing his films, notably during the productions of ''What About Bob?'', ''In & Out'', ''The Score'' and ''The Stepford Wives''.<ref name=lat>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=John|title=Frank Oz and that little voice inside|date=12 August 2007|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/12/entertainment/ca-frankoz12|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Capone With Frank Oz About Death at a Funeral, What Went Wrong On Stepford, And (Of Course) Yoda!!|date=7 August 2007|publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]]|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33610|access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Plume|first=Kenneth|title=Interview with Frank Oz|date=10 February 2000|website=IGN|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/10/interview-with-frank-oz-part-3-of-4|access-date=27 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/nicole-kidman/news/frank-oz.s-tense-remake|title=Nicole Kidman-Frank Oz's Tense Remake |website=Contactmusic.com |date=2 October 2003}}</ref> In 2016, Oz directed a [[Solo performance|one-man stage show]] titled ''In & Of Itself'' starring [[Derek DelGaudio]], which had its world premiere at the [[Geffen Playhouse]] on May 16.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/press-releases/frank-oz-to-helm-world-premiere-of-derek-delgaudios-in-amp-of-itself/ |title=Frank Oz To Helm World Premiere of Derek DelGaudio's: In & Of Itself |website=Geffen Playhouse |date=16 March 2016 |access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref> In April 2017, with the financial backing by [[Neil Patrick Harris]] among others, the play began its [[Off-Broadway]] theatrical run, which was initially slated for 10 weeks,<ref>{{cite news |last=Cox |first=Gordon |url=https://variety.com/2017/legit/news/in-and-of-itself-neil-patrick-harris-frank-oz-new-york-1201984612/ |title=Magic Show Produced by Neil Patrick Harris and Directed by Frank Oz to Open Off Broadway |work=Variety |date=13 February 2017 |access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref> but ended up extending its run for 72 weeks. In October 2020, the streaming service [[Hulu]] purchased the rights to a live recording of the play, which debuted on January 22, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/hulu-in-and-of-itself-derek-delgaudio-1234813108/ |title=Hulu Buys Derek DelGaudio's 'In & Of Itself' Movie Directed by Frank Oz (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |date=22 October 2020 |access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref> ===Unrealized projects=== In the late 1980s, Oz was attached to direct a film adaptation of [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]]’s 1922 short story "[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (short story)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]" for [[Universal Pictures]], with [[Martin Short]] slated to star. Oz dropped out of the project after he could not work out how to make the story work.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|title=The Curious Development History of 'Benjamin Button'|date=3 January 2019|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=http://collider.com/curious-case-of-benjamin-button-alternate-versions/amp/|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cheney|first=Jen|title=The story behind 'Benjamin Button'|date=29 May 2009|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-29-et-button29-story,amp.html|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> Oz was also going to direct the 1990 film ''[[Mermaids (1990 film)|Mermaids]]'' after [[Lasse Hallström]] dropped out of the project.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yglesias|first=Linda|title=GETTING ALONG SWIMMINGLY|date=17 December 1990|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-12-17-9004140390-story.html|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> However, Oz also left the project due to creative differences and was ultimately replaced by [[Richard Benjamin]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hinson|first=Hal|title='Mermaids' (PG-13)|date=14 December 1990|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/mermaidspg13hinson_a0a9c0.htm|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> Oz reportedly did not get along with [[Cher]], who starred in the film.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=John|title=Frank Oz and that little voice inside|date=12 August 2007|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-12-ca-frankoz12-story.html|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> It was reported in 1992 that Oz was slated to direct a film adaptation of the musical ''[[Dreamgirls]]'' for [[The Geffen Film Company]]. Oz also planned to direct an unmade film titled ''Swing Vote'' before directing ''Dreamgirls''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Ryan|title=A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : DEVELOPMENT HELL : 'Interview With a Vampire' and 'Dreamgirls' Looking Good to Ascend|date=15 November 1992|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-15-ca-664-story.html|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> In the late 1990s, it was reported that Oz was going to direct either [[Sylvester Stallone]] or [[Bruce Willis]] in an unmade film titled ''Ump'' for [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fleming|first=Michael|title=Stallone pumped about 'Ump'|date=6 January 1997|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/stallone-pumped-about-ump-1117433935/amp/|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last2=Fleming|first2=Michael|last1=Carver|first1=Benedict|title=Willis may swing at 'Ump'|date=25 June 1998|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/willis-may-swing-at-ump-1117477885/amp/|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=BRUCE WILLIS MAY BE OUT, BUT MOVIE 'UMP' STILL ON|date=24 December 1999|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-12-24-9912230426-story,amp.html|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Ramsey|title=MGM STUDIO STILL PITCHING IDEA OF FILMING 'UMP'|date=23 August 2001|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2001-08-23-0108230592-story,amp.html|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> Oz claimed in a 2007 interview with ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' that he turned down the offer to direct ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' (2002).<ref>{{cite news|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|title=Frank Oz|date=16 August 2007|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|url=https://film.avclub.com/frank-oz-1798212077|access-date=1 July 2019|quote=I was asked to direct, like, the second Harry Potter and things like that, but I have no interest.}}</ref> However, Oz later retracted his statement about turning down the project in a 2021 interview: “No, they didn’t offer it to me. They asked me if I was interested. So it wasn’t really an offer.”<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|title=A Conversation With Frank Oz: ‘In & Of Itself,’ His Greatest Film Moments, Baby Yoda, and More|date=January 28, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/frank-oz-rolling-stone-interview-in-of-itself-1118057/amp/|accessdate=December 29, 2021}}</ref> In 2006, [[Dick Cook]] hired Oz to write and direct ''The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made'' for [[Walt Disney Pictures]]. However, Disney passed on the project in favor of [[The Muppets (film)|Jason Segel's script]] following Cook's departure from the studio.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Masters|first=Kim|title=Kermit as Mogul, Farting Fozzie Bear: How Disney's Muppets Movie Has Purists Rattled|date=20 October 2011|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-muppets-jason-segel-amy-adams-jim-henson-250805|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ihla|first=Andrew|title=The untold truth of Frank Oz|website=[[Looper.com]]|url=https://www.looper.com/116523/untold-truth-frank-oz/?amp=1|access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> ===Acting=== As an actor, Oz appeared in one scene as a Prison Storeroom Keeper in ''[[The Blues Brothers (film)|The Blues Brothers]]'' (1980), directed by [[John Landis]]. He appeared in a similar role and scene in ''[[Trading Places]]'' (1983), also directed by Landis. He had roles in several other Landis films including ''[[An American Werewolf in London]]'' (1981), ''[[Spies Like Us]]'' (1985), ''[[Innocent Blood (film)|Innocent Blood]]'' (1992), and ''[[Blues Brothers 2000]]'' (1998). In 2001, he had a voice acting role in the [[Pixar]] film ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'' as Randall's scare assistant, Fungus.<ref>{{cite news|last=Paquette|first=Danielle|title=Frank Oz speaks — but not as Yoda or Miss Piggy|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/26/entertainment/la-et-mn-frank-oz-yoda-miss-piggy-20120726|access-date=4 February 2013|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=12 July 2012}}</ref> In 2005, he had a minor part in the Columbia film ''[[Zathura (film)|Zathura]]'' as the voice of the robot. He played a lawyer in the critically-acclaimed 2019 film ''[[Knives Out|Knives Out]]''. Other cameos have included playing a surgeon in scenes cut from the theatrical release of ''[[Superman III]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/special_features/super_innovators/make_up/make_up_animatronics_oz_p3.htm |title=Frank Oz |publisher=supermancinema.co.uk |access-date=2011-12-13}}{{dead link|date=August 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ''[[The Muppet Movie]]'', ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'', ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]'' and several other Jim Henson-related films that did not involve just his puppeteering. Even if he does not appear in a Landis film, his name is often spoken in the background. During airport scenes in ''[[Into the Night (1985 film)|Into the Night]]'' and ''[[Coming to America]]'', there are announcements on the PA system for "Mr. Frank Oznowicz".<ref>{{cite book |last=de Semlyen |first=Nick |date=2019 |title=Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the '80s Changed Hollywood Forever |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hhl5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA337 |location=New York |publisher=[[Broadway Books]] |page=337 |isbn=978-1-9848-2666-4}}</ref> ==Personal life== Oz was previously married to Robin Garsen.<ref name=people/> He married Victoria Labalme in 2011.<ref name=lat2/> Oz is the father of four sons.<ref name=lat2/> He maintained a residence in England for nine years<ref name=avclub/> and as of 2012, lives in [[Manhattan]].<ref name=lat2/> ==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Notes |- | 1979 | ''[[The Muppet Movie]]'' | [[Fozzie Bear]]<br>[[Miss Piggy]]<br>[[Sam Eagle]]<br>[[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]]<br>[[List of Muppets#Marvin Suggs|Marvin Suggs]]<br>Additional characters | [[Puppeteer]]/Voice;<br>Also creative consultant |- | rowspan="2" |1980 | ''[[The Blues Brothers (film)|The Blues Brothers]]'' | Corrections officer | Also voice of Elwood’s building manager |- | ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' | [[Yoda]] |rowspan=2| Puppeteer/Voice |- | rowspan="2"|1981 | ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'' | [[Fozzie Bear]]<br>[[Miss Piggy]]<br>[[Sam Eagle]]<br>[[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]]<br>Additional characters |- | ''[[An American Werewolf in London]]'' | Mr. Collins | |- | 1982 | ''[[The Dark Crystal]]'' | Aughra | Puppeteer |- | rowspan="3"|1983 | ''[[Superman III]]'' | Surgeon | Deleted scene |- | ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' | Yoda | Puppeteer/Voice |- | ''[[Trading Places]]'' | Booking cop | |- | 1984 | ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]'' | [[Fozzie Bear]]<br>[[Miss Piggy]]<br>[[Sam Eagle]]<br>[[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]]<br>[[Bert (Sesame Street)|Bert]]<br>[[Cookie Monster]]<br>Ocean Breeze Board member<br>Additional characters | |- | rowspan="2"|1985 | ''[[Spies Like Us]]'' | Test proctor | |- | ''[[Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird]]'' | [[Bert (Sesame Street)|Bert]]<br>[[Grover]]<br>[[Cookie Monster]] | Puppeteer/Voice |- | 1986 | ''[[Labyrinth (1986 film)|Labyrinth]]'' | The Wiseman | |- | 1991 | ''[[Muppet*Vision 3D]]'' | [[Miss Piggy]]<br>[[Fozzie Bear]]<br>[[Sam Eagle]]<br>Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice;<br>Theme park attraction |- | rowspan="2"|1992 | ''[[Innocent Blood (film)|Innocent Blood]]'' | Pathologist | |- | ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]'' |rowspan=2| [[Fozzie Bear]]<br>[[Miss Piggy]]<br>[[Sam Eagle]]<br>[[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]]<br>Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice |- | 1996 | ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]'' | Voice |- | 1998 | ''[[Blues Brothers 2000]]'' | Warden | |- |rowspan="3"| 1999 | ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' | Yoda | Puppeteer/Voice |- | ''[[Muppets from Space]]'' | [[Fozzie Bear]]<br>[[Miss Piggy]]<br>[[Sam Eagle]]<br>[[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]]<br>Additional characters | Voice |- | ''[[The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland]]'' | [[Bert (Sesame Street)|Bert]]<br>[[Grover]]<br>[[Cookie Monster]] | Puppeteer/Voice |- | 2001 | ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'' | Jeff Fungus | Voice |- | 2002 | ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' | Yoda | Voice |- | rowspan="2"| 2005 | ''[[Zathura (film)|Zathura]]'' | Robot | Voice |- | ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' | rowspan="2"| Yoda | Voice |- |rowspan="2"| 2011 | ''[[Star Tours–The Adventures Continue]]'' | Voice;<br>Theme park attraction |- | ''[[Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey]]'' |rowspan=2| Himself |rowspan=2| Documentary |- | 2014 |''[[I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story]]'' |- |rowspan="2"|2015 | ''[[Inside Out (2015 film)|Inside Out]]'' | Subconscious Guard Dave<ref>{{cite web|title=Pixar's 'Inside Out' Cast Includes Some Awesome Voice Cameos (Spoilers)|url=http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-pixars-inside-out-cast-includes-awesome-voice-cameos-spoilers-75465/|publisher=Stitch Kingdom|access-date=May 27, 2015|date=May 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522110057/http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-pixars-inside-out-cast-includes-awesome-voice-cameos-spoilers-75465/|archive-date=May 22, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | Voice |- | ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' | Yoda<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/20/jj-abrams-reveals-obi-wan-and-yoda-are-star-wars-force-awakens|title=J.J. Abrams reveals Obi-Wan and Yoda are secretly in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' - EW.com}}</ref> | Voice (archive recording) |- |rowspan="2"|2017 | ''Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind<br>the Show the Whole World Watched''<ref name="toughpigs.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.toughpigs.com/muppet-show-documentary/|title=A Frank Oz-Directed Muppet Show Documentary Is Coming - Muppet Fans Who Grew Up - Tough Pigs|date=31 January 2017}}</ref> | Himself<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schedule.sxsw.com/2017/events/FS21099|title=Muppet Guys Talking - Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched}}</ref> | Documentary |- | ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' | Yoda | Puppeteer/Voice |- |rowspan="2"|2019 | ''[[Knives Out]]'' | Alan Stevens | |- |''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'' |Yoda |Voice |- |} ====Filmmaking credits==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Film ! [[Film director|Director]] ! [[Film producer|Producer]] ! [[Screenwriter|Writer]] ! Notes |- | 1981 | ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'' | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |- | 1982 | ''[[The Dark Crystal]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | Co-directed with [[Jim Henson]] |- | 1984 | ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- | 1986 | ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (film)|Little Shop of Horrors]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 1988 | ''[[Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (film)|Dirty Rotten Scoundrels]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 1991 | ''[[What About Bob?]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 1992 | ''[[Housesitter]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 1995 | ''[[The Indian in the Cupboard (film)|The Indian in the Cupboard]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 1997 | ''[[In & Out (film)|In & Out]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 1999 | ''[[Bowfinger]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 2001 | ''[[The Score (2001 film)|The Score]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 2004 | ''[[The Stepford Wives (2004 film)|The Stepford Wives]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 2007 | ''[[Death at a Funeral (2007 film)|Death at a Funeral]]'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- | 2017 | ''Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind <br>the Show the Whole World Watched'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | Documentary |- | 2021 | ''Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |} '''Executive producer''' * ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]'' (1992) * ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]'' (1996) ===Television=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 1969–2013 | ''[[Sesame Street]]'' | [[Bert (Sesame Street)|Bert]]<br>[[Grover]]<br>[[Cookie Monster]]<br>[[Lefty the Salesman]]<br>[[Harvey Kneeslapper]]<br>Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice;<br>Regularly until 2001, however, he continued to perform his<br>characters a few times a year until 2013. |- | 1975–1976 | ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' | [[The Mighty Favog]] | Puppeteer/Voice [[The Land of Gorch]] segments |- | 1976–1981 | ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' | [[Fozzie Bear]]<br>[[Miss Piggy]]<br>[[Sam Eagle]]<br>[[Animal (Muppet)|Animal]]<br>[[Marvin Suggs]]<br>[[George the Janitor]]<br>Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice |- | 1977 | ''[[Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas]]'' | Alice Otter (puppetry)<br>Chuck Stoat (puppetry and voice) | Puppeteer/Voice;<br>Television film |- | 1989–1990 | ''[[The Jim Henson Hour]]'' | Miss Piggy<br>Fozzie Bear |rowspan=2| Puppeteer/Voice |- | 1990 | ''[[The Muppets at Walt Disney World]]'' | Miss Piggy<br>Fozzie Bear<br>Animal |- | 1994 | ''[[Jim Henson's Animal Show]]'' | Sam Eagle | Voice;<br>Episode: "Bald Eagle" |- | 1996–1998 | ''[[Muppets Tonight]]'' | Miss Piggy<br>Fozzie Bear<br>Sam Eagle<br>Animal<br>Additional characters | Puppeteer/Voice |- | 1999 | ''[[CinderElmo]]'' | Bert<br>Grover<br>Cookie Monster | Voice;<br>Television film |- | 2015–2016 | ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' | Yoda | Voice;<br />2 episodes |} ====As director==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Notes |- | 2002 | ''The Funkhousers'' | Television film |- | 2011 | ''[[Leverage (American TV series)|Leverage]]'' | Episode: "The Carnival Job" |- |} ===Video games=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | rowspan="2"|1996 | ''[[Muppet Treasure Island (video game)|Muppet Treasure Island]]'' | Miss Piggy<br>Fozzie Bear<br>Sam Eagle | rowspan="6" |Voice |- | ''[[Muppets Inside|The Muppet CDROM: Muppets Inside]]'' | Miss Piggy<br>Fozzie Bear<br>Animal<br>Sam Eagle<br>Marvin Suggs |- | rowspan="2"|2000 | ''[[Muppet Monster Adventure]]'' | Miss Piggy<br>Fozzie Bear |- | ''[[Muppet RaceMania]]'' | Miss Piggy<br>Fozzie Bear<br>Sam Eagle<br>Animal |- |2020 |[[Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge|''Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge'']] | rowspan="2" |[[Yoda]] |- |2021 |''[[Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge#Gameplay|Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge- Last Call]]'' |} ==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Award !! Category !! Program !! Result<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000568/ |title= Frank Oz – Awards |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=2013-06-14}}</ref> |- | 1974 || [[News & Documentary Emmy Award]] || Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming || rowspan="2" |''[[Sesame Street]]'' || {{won}} |- | 1976 || [[Daytime Emmy Award]] || Outstanding Children's Programming || {{won}} |- | 1977 || rowspan="2"|[[Primetime Emmy Award]] || Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series || rowspan="2" |''[[The Muppet Show]]'' || {{nom}} |- | 1978 || Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series || {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"|1979 || [[Daytime Emmy Award]] || Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming|| ''[[Sesame Street]]'' || {{won}} |- | [[Primetime Emmy Award]] || Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series ||''[[The Muppet Show]]'' || {{nom}} |} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Frank Oz}} {{Wikiquote}} * {{IMDb name|568}} * {{tcmdb name|id=146129|name=Frank Oz}} * {{Twitter}} * {{The Interviews people|frank-oz}} {{s-start}} {{succession box | before = None | title = [[Cookie Monster|Performer of Cookie Monster]] | years = {{start_date|1969|11|10}} – {{end_date|2001|1|1}} | after = [[David Rudman]]}} {{succession box | before = None | title = [[Bert (Sesame Street)|Performer of Bert]] and [[Grover|Performer of Grover]] | years = {{start_date|1969|11|10}} – {{end_date|1998|1|1}} | after = [[Eric Jacobson]]}} {{succession box | before = None | title = [[List of Muppets#Marvin Suggs|Performer of Marvin Suggs]] | years = 1976-1981 | after = [[Eric Jacobson]]}} {{succession box | before = None | title = [[Miss Piggy|Performer of Miss Piggy]] | years = 1976 – 2002 | after = [[Eric Jacobson]]}} {{succession box | before = None | title = [[Animal (Muppet)|Performer of Animal]] | years = 1975 – 2000 | after = [[Eric Jacobson]]}} {{succession box | before = None | title = [[Sam Eagle|Performer of Sam the Eagle]] | years = 1975 – 2000 | after = [[Kevin Clash]]}} {{succession box | before = None | title = [[Fozzie Bear|Performer of Fozzie Bear]] | years = 1976 – 2000 | after = [[Eric Jacobson]]}} {{s-end}} {{Frank Oz}} {{Navboxes | title = Awards for Frank Oz | list = {{Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming}} {{The Life Career Award}} }} {{The Muppets}} {{Sesame Street}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Oz, Frank}} [[Category:1944 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century American male actors]] [[Category:21st-century American male actors]] [[Category:American male film actors]] [[Category:American male television actors]] [[Category:American male voice actors]] [[Category:American people of Dutch-Jewish descent]] [[Category:American people of Flemish descent]] [[Category:American people of Polish-Jewish descent]] [[Category:American puppeteers]] [[Category:Comedy film directors]] [[Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners]] [[Category:Emmy Award winners]] [[Category:Film directors from California]] [[Category:Male actors from Montana]] [[Category:Male actors from Oakland, California]] [[Category:Muppet performers]] [[Category:People from Hereford]] [[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]] [[Category:Sesame Street crew]] [[Category:Sesame Street Muppeteers]]'