Eren Ozker
Encyclopedia
Eren Ozker was a Turkish American
Puppeteer
. She was one of the original performers during the first season of Jim Henson
's popular television series, The Muppet Show
.
Ozker was born in Ankara
, Turkey
and grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan
, USA
. She received a bachelor's degree in drama from the University of Michigan
in 1970. Right after graduating, she toured with the National Shakespeare Company, appearing in Hamlet (Ophelia) and the Merchant of Venice, (Jessica). She moved to New York
, USA shortly after to perform in numerous off-Broadway
productions. Reviews described her as "an Off-Broadway favorite" and as "a fire-cracker burning at both ends". In 1975 she joined the Hartman Theater Company for its first production The Government Inspector, meeting her future husband William Bogert in the process, during the original production of The Runner Stumbles.
In 1976 Ozker went to England
and joined the cast of The Muppet Show. As the only full-time female Muppeteer on the show at the time, she performed most of the female characters. These included:
Of her three main characters, only Janice survived after Ozker left the show at the end of the first season. Janice was subsequently performed by Richard Hunt
, Matt Vogel, Brian Henson
, Tyler Bunch
, and most recently, David Rudman
.
After performing in Henson productions The Muppet Movie
and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
, Ozker retired from the Muppet scene and returned to the United States to focus on her family. Her last puppeteering performance was in the 1988 production of The Warrior Ant at the Brooklyn
Next Wave Festival.
In 1989 Ozker founded and became chairwoman of the Puppeteers Caucus, a working group within the Screen Actors Guild
. Ozker was presented the Joseph C. Riley award by the guild in 1991 in recognition of her services to the industry.
Ozker died on 25 February 1993, aged 44. Initially her Internet Movie Database
entry claimed her death was caused by AIDS
, the same disease that killed fellow Muppeteer Richard Hunt. Her husband confirmed after her death that she in fact died from cancer
. Her IMDB entry has since been changed.
Turkish American
Turkish Americans are people who have Turkish ancestry and are citizens of the United States.-History:Early Turkish immigrants to the United States were predominantly from Turkey's rural community. They settled in large, industrial cities and found employment as unskilled laborers...
Puppeteer
Puppeteer
A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, such as a puppet, in real time to create the illusion of life. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from the audience. A puppeteer can operate a puppet indirectly by the use of strings, rods, wires, electronics or directly by his or...
. She was one of the original performers during the first season of Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
's popular television series, The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
.
Ozker was born in Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Farmington Hills is a community in southeastern Michigan. It is the largest city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 79,740 at the 2010 census...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She received a bachelor's degree in drama from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1970. Right after graduating, she toured with the National Shakespeare Company, appearing in Hamlet (Ophelia) and the Merchant of Venice, (Jessica). She moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA shortly after to perform in numerous off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
productions. Reviews described her as "an Off-Broadway favorite" and as "a fire-cracker burning at both ends". In 1975 she joined the Hartman Theater Company for its first production The Government Inspector, meeting her future husband William Bogert in the process, during the original production of The Runner Stumbles.
In 1976 Ozker went to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and joined the cast of The Muppet Show. As the only full-time female Muppeteer on the show at the time, she performed most of the female characters. These included:
- Wanda - one half of the singing duo Wayne and Wanda. Their "wholesome, uplifting and decent" acts, as described by Sam the EagleSam the EagleSam the Eagle is a character from the syndicated television show The Muppet Show, performed by Frank Oz. The name "Sam" is possibly derived from Uncle Sam. The Bald Eagle is the official symbol of the United States, and Sam's patriotic spirit differentiates him from the rest of the Muppet cast, as...
, were always cut short in disastrous circumstances. - Hilda - mostly restricted to backstage appearances, Hilda was the wardrobe lady for the show.
- Janice - Ozker's most famous character, Janice is the guitarist for Dr. Teeth and The Electric MayhemDr. Teeth and The Electric MayhemDr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem is the name of a Muppet rock band of The Muppet Show. Following The Muppet Show, they appeared in various Muppet movies and television specials, and have also recorded album tracks. Dr. Teeth and Animal were designed by Jim Henson, while the rest of the original...
, as taken over from Fran BrillFran BrillFrances Joan "Fran" Brill , is an American actress and puppeteer, best known for her roles on Sesame Street.Brill was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Linette and Joseph M. Brill. Her father was a physician...
.
Of her three main characters, only Janice survived after Ozker left the show at the end of the first season. Janice was subsequently performed by Richard Hunt
Richard Hunt (puppeteer)
Richard Hunt was an American puppeteer best known as a Muppet performer. Hunt's Muppet roles included Scooter, Beaker, Janice, Statler, and Sweetums.-Early years:...
, Matt Vogel, Brian Henson
Brian Henson
Brian Henson is an Academy Award-winning puppeteer, director, producer, and technician. The son of puppeteers Jane and Jim Henson, Brian was born in New York City, New York....
, Tyler Bunch
Tyler Bunch
Tyler Bunch is a puppeteer, puppet designer, director and actor. In addition to his work for the Jim Henson Company, Mr. Bunch has created and performed puppets for PBS, Nickelodeon, and Disney. He has acted in a few Off Broadway productions and has made appearances on American television shows...
, and most recently, David Rudman
David Rudman
David Rudman is a puppeteer, voice actor and producer, best known as a performer of many of Sesame Street's Muppets. He originated the role of Baby Bear, and has been nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work replacing Frank Oz in the role of Cookie Monster...
.
After performing in Henson productions The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie is the first of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets. Released in 1979, the film was produced by Henson Associates, Children's Television Workshop and ITC Entertainment....
and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas is a children's storybook by Russell Hoban which was first published in 1971. In 1977 it was adapted into a television special by Jim Henson with songs by Paul Williams...
, Ozker retired from the Muppet scene and returned to the United States to focus on her family. Her last puppeteering performance was in the 1988 production of The Warrior Ant at the Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
Next Wave Festival.
In 1989 Ozker founded and became chairwoman of the Puppeteers Caucus, a working group within the Screen Actors Guild
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
. Ozker was presented the Joseph C. Riley award by the guild in 1991 in recognition of her services to the industry.
Ozker died on 25 February 1993, aged 44. Initially her Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
entry claimed her death was caused by AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, the same disease that killed fellow Muppeteer Richard Hunt. Her husband confirmed after her death that she in fact died from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. Her IMDB entry has since been changed.