The Woman Behind Miss Piggy
Muppet designer Bonnie Erickson on puppet storytelling and inspiration
- By Anika Gupta
- Smithsonian magazine, October 2008, Subscribe
Bonnie Erickson designed and built the inimitable Miss Piggy in 1974 for an early "Muppets" television special, produced by Jim Henson. Puppets, props and storyboards from Henson's prolific career are featured in the traveling exhibit "Jim Henson's Fantastic World." Anika Gupta spoke with Erickson.
You've been designing muppets and mascots for years. What attracts you to them?
The creation of worlds—the whole process of designing characters, putting together a back story, giving the characters an environment in which they can thrive and casting performers who can bring them to life.
Why do puppets appeal to adults as well as children?
They've been a tradition across the world for thousands of years as a form of storytelling. But, until recently, they have't been appreciated in the United States. Now, however, puppetry is finding a niche in the arts—dance, theater and even opera. I think people appreciate the performers' skill as well as the artistry of the puppets themselves. We owe a lot of that to [Muppets creator] Jim Henson's vision.
Who inspired the character of Miss Piggy?
My mother used to live in North Dakota where Peggy Lee sang on the local radio station before she became a famous jazz singer. When I first created Miss Piggy I called her Miss Piggy Lee—as both a joke and an homage. Peggy Lee was a very independent woman, and Piggy certainly is the same. But as Piggy's fame began to grow, nobody wanted to upset Peggy Lee, especially because we admired her work. So, the Muppet's name was shortened to Miss Piggy.
Of all the characters you've designed, which are among your favorites?
Statler and Waldorf, the two old men who heckled from the balcony in the Muppet Show. I could picture them in the Yale Club sipping brandy, surrounded by portraits of their predecessors. Another was Zoot, the blue-haired, balding saxophonist for the Muppet band "Electric Mayhem." He was fashioned after musician Gato Barbieri, based on a quick sketch I made when I saw him perform at a jazz club.
Let's say you get a contract to make a character. How does your creative process work?
Well let me take the Philly Phanatic as an example. The managers approached us to design a mascot who could encourage fans to bring their families to the games. So we had to design a character who was child-friendly, who was playful and a little irreverent but not too silly. We'd heard from the Phillies that their crowd had booed the Easter bunny, so it was a challenge to come up with something that was not going to talk down to their audience. We wanted a character who had a life and a story. A lot of our characters are still performing today. We created Youppi for the Montreal Expos, and when the team moved out of Montreal Youppi was left without a home. So he was taken in by the hockey team. In my mind I've always thought of these characters as having a life, so they're free agents in many ways. When they lose a team, they go out and try to find another job.
What does it take for a character to become a legend, as happened with Miss Piggy and the Phanatic?
Well, there are three factors. First, you need a good designer and a good concept. And in the case of puppeteers you need a really good performer. And then the client has to be very thoughtful and use the character well. When you put all these pieces together you have at least a shot at creating a character people will be drawn to.
Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.
Comments (23)
+ View All Comments
Ahhh Bon - we all knew you had it in you. So happy to have shared at least 15+ years with you, way back in that "other" life.
Posted by Chloe Sterk on April 28,2012 | 11:18 AM
I LOVE YOU MISS.PIGGY!!!!
Posted by heart on November 19,2011 | 09:06 PM
Hi Bonnie,
Hope you read this. Cameron was sharing with her class today on your creations. She was so very excited to find this post!! Hope your well. Amie (Mark's daughter)
Hi Im Cameron or Cam I was little at the the time when you came visit about 3 or 4 years old and now im in 4th grade.
I like your creations, and I think Miss piggy is alittle like me.
So TTYL.
Posted by Cameron Moeller (Margaret Soderquist's great granddaughter) on April 8,2010 | 05:06 PM
October 25, 2009 I heard that Bonnie Erickson visited the Muppets Exhibit at Michners Art Museum in Doylestown.
IF I ever gave a fantasy dinner party I would like to invite: Bonnie Erickson as well as the late Richard Feynman formerly a Princeton Physicist.
These are the folks that make out lives fun. Ron Kita,a doylestown "towny"
Posted by ron kita on October 27,2009 | 12:00 AM
Thanks for creating the Phanatic. You have created something that will live forever with the Phillies and can't be traded.
I have always admired the Phanatic from my childhood, but now as a grown-up (?) graphic designer, I really appreciate some of the well-thought and subtle (!) aspects of the Phanatic: he's really only six feet tall and he is not severely disproportioned in shape (so he retains an approachable human scale), but he is easy to spot in the stands without binoculars. And despite the green color he's very visible on the field (especially now on the natural grass instead of the astroturf at the Vet).
I could go on about the Muppets, but I'll say thanks just the same.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 16,2009 | 11:27 PM
I was born in Fargo North Dakota my husband put a Miss Piggy tattoo on him for me I put animal on me we both grew up with the muppets love them and he is a drummer so the muppets were perfect...
Posted by Cerise on June 3,2009 | 04:21 AM
I often groing up adopted the nick name pig, and later on for my love of the Muppet's Show. Miss Piggy. I am indeed greatful, and over joyed at the opportunity of how Miss Piggy was birth I see we share alot in common. I too was introduce into the world in 1974. God Bless you and all the creaters for your dillegent work in providing hosome programing for me and now my son. Sincerely, Mrs. Angela Opoku a.k.a. pig/Miss Piggy
Posted by Angela Opoku on March 20,2009 | 11:00 PM
I had heard that the Miss Piggy was inspired by a slightly over the top Hungarian housewife/artist, that was the wife of a friend of Jim Henson's in Conneticut, is there any truth to this story?
Posted by lindermouse on December 14,2008 | 12:04 PM
I must say it is a real honor to be part of your extended family. You have done amazing things for any child that has come into contact with any of your great creations, I know as a child I always got to enjoy these characters.
Posted by Kerri Erickson-Pankonen on November 20,2008 | 02:27 PM
The Muppets were my staple diet as a child. Statlor and Waldorf mirrored my grandparents. Thank you Ms Erickson, you filled my childhood with wonderful characters that I will entertain my children with someday.
Posted by Candace on November 12,2008 | 09:59 AM
As a fan of the muppets and a Philadelphian. I am proud to say that no matter how old I get I will always love the Phanatic. Im watching the The World Series Champions Parade and the Phanatic is in the middle of it all. You have created something so wonderful for so many people. Without the Phanatic things would not be the same. =]
Posted by Kerri on October 31,2008 | 02:35 PM
I have a query about Zoot, the saxophonist. In the actual Muppet Show, and in most of the end credits (when the orchestra is playing the theme song), Zoot is light blue with darker blue hair. But at the very end, when he plays his famous wrong note, he is green with blue hair. Can anyone tell me what was going on there? If so, I would appreciate it.
Posted by Tori on October 23,2008 | 05:34 PM
When I was little my mom asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and I replied "Miss Piggy". And today I am still that self confident (hopefully not self absorbed) person embodied by my childhood heroine. Thank you Ms Erikson!
Posted by Sarah on October 17,2008 | 02:20 AM
what a truly talented and lovely person...
Posted by amanda cheh on October 16,2008 | 03:18 AM
+ View All Comments