Three Stories, with a connecting thread: 1) In the early 1960s, country performer Jimmy Dean had a hugely popular television show, and he gave a young Jim Henson the chance to develop and showcase one of his muppets with the character Rowlf, who became a recurring and popular part of the show for the duration of its run. Because of the popularity of Rowlf, Dean was given the chance to not only have a proprietary stake in the character, but a chance to buy a 40% ownership stake in the muppets and Hensons company. Dean declined, feeling he had no real right to what Henson was doing or had created, and said I didn’t do anything to earn that. If I had done something to earn it I would have said, Alright, fine. But I didn’t. A lot of people have said, Well, I bet youre sorry now. No, I am not. Because I couldn’t have lived with me...they were an asset to The Jimmy Dean Show and they did good things for us, but I wouldnt want to take them. Because of that one ethical decision, from someone unwilling to take advantage just because he could, Jim Henson went on to build an empire. 2) Years later, when the brilliant writer and young filmmaker-to-be Anthony Minghella was finished writing the series Jim Hensons The Storyteller, he started cleaning out his office at Hensons London studio, and Henson saw him. He asked Tony, what are you doing? and Minghella said that since the series was over, he assumed his use of the office and facilities would end, too. Henson put his arm around the young writers shoulders and said Youre part of the family. This is YOUR office, for as long as you want it, And through a brilliant career that included several Oscar-winning films until his death, Tony Minghella kept his office at the Henson studio. 3) A few years ago, when I was in Hollywood on other business, I drove my daughter Sophie, then around ten, to the Henson Studio, which is in the historic Charlie Chaplin Studios on La Brea, to drop off some books for Brian and Lisa Henson. When Lisa realized that Sophie was with me, she suggested a tour of the offices and soundstage - and a production exec said that the soundstage was closed to visitors because of a special project being worked on there. Lisa responded by saying When theres a child on the lot nothing is closed. And besides, James is like family. Go give them a tour. They did - and my daughter was THRILLED. And I got a great idea of what the Hensons priorities are. They are good friends to me, and they and their father were and are good examples of how to place people before business - which is the best kind of business. And the way that I hope I treat the people I work with, too. - James
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 19:37:44 +0000
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