Presiding over the ceremony was Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan, Kermit the Frog, Brain Henson, Chairman, and Charles H. Rivkin, President & CEO of the Jim Henson Company.
"Jim Henon's unique brand of entertainment has brought smiles and laughter to Angelenos of all ages," said Mayor Riordan. "I am pleased to welcome Kermit and his friends at The Jim Henson Company to their new home in Hollywood. There is no better home for the Muppets than Los Angeles--the Entertainment Capital of the World."
"I honestly believe we were destined to be here. I mean, any lot where everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Superman to the Rolling Stones has worked, is the perfect place for us," said Brian Henson.
"Over the past dozen years, we've made this city our corporate headquarters. Today, we are officially making Hollywood--and the historic Chaplin lot--our home," sadi Charles H. Rivkin.
A new era in the lot's creative tradition commenced as a continuing tribut to the enduring legacy of Jim Henson, one of the most gifted entertainers the world has ever known, and Charlie Chaplin, both of whom changed the way people looked at entertainment and the world.
The statue's theme begun as an idea of Brain Henson and Lisa Henson, Jim Henson's son and daughter, in honor of their father and is the combined creative efforts of many people (Ed Eyth of The Jim Henson Comapany, freelance artists Jim Mahon and Janis Beauchamp, Maria Jimenez of Jimenez Studios and Craig Shepherd, Dave Conner and Barbara Grill of Lexington Scenery & Props, Inc.).
The Mayor's Business Team worked closely with The Jim Henson Company to acquire the Charlie Chaplin Studios, which includes the former A&M Recording Studios and Chaplin's 10,000 square-foot stage and original woodworking shop. The Comapany renovated the 80,000 square-foot facility and recently moved its Los Angeles based headquarters from its residence at Releigh Studios to the new location.
The Jim Henson Company, an established leader in family entertainment for more than 40 years, is a multimedia production company; one of the top character licensors in the industry; a leading publisher of children's books; and home of Jim Henson Television, Jim Henson Pictures, Jim Henson Interactive and Jim Henson Creature Shop(TM). The Company is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices and production facilities in New York and London. The Jim Henson Comapany website is located at: www.henson.com.
The Jim Henson Company has recently been acquired by EM.TV & Merchandising AG based in Munich, Germany.
