John Kennedy has been entertaining audiences for over two decades in films, television, and commercials. Any other actor would find huge fame in such a fruitful career, but John has learned that anonymity suits him fine in his job of performing puppets. As an author John has passed on his blueprints to puppetry success in his two puppet making books Puppet Mania and Puppet Planet.
We interviewed John because, well… who the heck wouldn’t want to? He’s got the coolest job. He gets paid for doing the coolest job. ‘Nuff said.
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Q: Deep down we all want to be puppeteers. Looking back, what were the defining things that actually led you to achieve the goal? (In other words, where the heck did we go so wrong?! And, is it too late for us?)
I spent most of my youth in elementary school developing my voice through my puppets. When I got into junior high I realized that I had become antisocial. I had to reinvent myself through the other thing I knew, music. I joined show choir, jazz band, and in high school won an audition to go to Europe with a singing group.
It was while I was in France, as our bus traveled over a bridge through a beautiful valley, that I realized that life was too short and I had to follow my true calling of puppetry. I had two music scholarships to college but turned them down when I got back home and started writing to Henson Associates for a job interview right away.
Q: Tell us about some of the characters you’ve played over the 18 years you’ve been a puppeteer, and which ones are your favorites.
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss was my breakout show. Up until that time I had only been allowed to assist other puppeteers or do background characters. I had heard it is typical within the Muppet organization to train a new cast member for 5 years before being given a character.
I don’t remember anyone saying to me, “Okay, you’ve put in your five years so you get to perform a character” but the timing did happen to work out that way. For this reason my favorite characters would have to be Horton the Elephant, Norval the Fish, Mr. Knox, Sam-I-Am, and all of the 40 plus characters I performed during the 2 seasons of this series. It was truly a Wubbulous time.
Q: Do you do the voices as well as the puppet movements? (If a puppeteer has to be able to sing then I never had a chance anyway).
Yes! I took all of those voice lessons in high school for that very reason. The latest show I am involved with is called Pajanimals. I get to sing and voice my own character (Apollo, the dog) while also being puppeteer coordinator. That means I get to choreograph the puppets and puppeteers, so those show choir days paid off too.
Brad: Email me & I'll put you in touch with John.
Q: What’s the most exciting thing that ever happened to you because you’re a puppeteer? For example, has Brad Pitt called you (yet) to perform a private show for his kids at the French chateau where he & Angelina live?
That would be cool! I’ve met and worked with a lot of famous people but the most exciting thing I was ever involved with was the press tour for Dinosaurs back in 1991.
I was cast as an assistant puppeteer on that show and was only doing backup characters until the last day of the first episode when I got to perform the eyes of the baby dinosaur as he was born. After that moment Baby Sinclair became a hit character, largely because of the talents of Kevin Clash, but because I was his assistant I got to go along for his star studded journey into TV history.
Within weeks I found myself riding in limos and flying to NY, Chicago, and LA with all of the stars of ABC. The Olsen twins, Rosanne Barr, Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, and James Earl Jones were just a few of the big named stars that I was jetsetting with. I still remember the Olsen Twins, who must have been only 5 or 6 years old, being escorted to the bathroom on the plane.
Julie will get to assist John with his show for the Pitt-Jolie kids. Not fair! Maybe I can go as HER assistant?!
Q: If Brad Pitt calls you to fly to France to perform for his kids, can I come along as a roadie?
That’s the great thing about puppetry. You always need an assistant. My wife, Julie, goes on cruises with me as my assistant while I get paid to do workshops with the kids. What better job can you ask for? The only draw back is spending more money than you make at the tropical locations you get to visit.
Q: How have computers and all the incredible software out there either hurt or helped puppeteering? And what does the future hold for puppeteering?
Puppetry took a hit when computer animation came along. There were a lot of jobs for puppets before then. I’m currently trying to bend the computer rules to include the ancient art of puppetry.
My new short film, The Sure Sheep, showcases a new technique I’m developing that gives legs to my puppets. I perform the characters in front of green and then superimpose computer animated legs on to them. The look is really cool and it leaves people wondering how it is done.
Q: What projects are you working on now, and where can we see you?
I’ve got a lot of shows out right now so the only way I can think of telling you concisely is via a list.
"Dude, don't mess with me. I'm baaaaaaaad!"
The Sure Sheep, Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams for Kids film series- I wrote, directed, and produced this short film.
Activity TV, Comcast Network- Host, writer, and music composer for ongoing puppet projects and skits
Einstein Pals, Disney DVD- I play Miles the Raccoon (puppeteer coordinator)
Old Dogs, Buena Vista Pictures- I perform a green dragon costume in The Jimmy Lunchbox Show
Ace Ventura 3, Morgan Creek- I built and performed the panda characters in the film
Abby in Wonderland, Sesame Home Video- I assist many of the main characters and do background puppets
Jack’s Big Music Show, Noggin - I’m still on everyday as Mel the Dog.
Q: Here’s your chance to say to anyone out there that ever doubted you, “HMPH! TOLD you one day I’d be a famous puppeteer!”
The only person that doubted me was my high school choir director, Peter Sims. He taught me a lot about singing and music but wanted me to follow in his footsteps and tried to convince me to take one of those music scholarships. When I told him I was trading in my scholarships for a career in puppetry he called me naïve but I think I made the right choice. I followed my heart and you can’t go wrong with that.
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Check out more of John, his work, his music and all the other fab things he’s done at:
www.puppetkit.com
www.activitytv.com
www.myspace.com/puppetkit
Once you see the awesome stuff he gets to do, you’ll hate your job even more.
***UPDATE: Check out our holiday gift list, which includes a fab puppet kit and CD from Mr. Kennedy!
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Speaking of Sesame Street, read our recent review of the new Putumayo Sesame Street world music CD/DVD.
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