Sid Krofft, 1929 – 2026

Sid Krofft, who with his brother Marty (who died in 2023) created some of the most popular, and cheesiest, kid’s shows on TV, died on April 10, He was 96. Krofft started his career working with puppets and marionettes, in nightclubs (opening for Judy Garland) and what was left of vaudeville. He and Marty teamed up for the adult-themed Les Poupées de Paris show; they eventually moved to TV and created the hugely popular H.R. Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, Lidsville, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, and Land of the Lost. These shows featured huge puppets and such stars as Jack Wilde, Billie Hayes, Martha Raye, and Charles Nelson Reilly. The Kroffts also produced such fare as the infamous Pink Lady and Jeff, D.C. Follies, Pryor’s Place, and Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. Krofft told People in 2024 that when he heard his shows called psychedelic or subversive, "I take that as a compliment. Go left. Because everyone takes the safe path and they’re too frightened to be a little different and take a chance.”