There were a lot of good birthdays today-Ian McKellan (whom I simply adore), Cillian Murphy, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ken Jacobs and I am sure more-but for me, the birthday person who has probably influenced my life the most is without a doubt Frank Oz.

Frank Oz is many things, but most importantly he is an amazing puppeteer that worked on The Muppets and the show that still remains my favorite, Sesame Street.  He’s the man behind Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam the Eagle on The Muppet Show, and Grover, Cookie Monster and Bert on Sesame Street. Grover is one of the best characters of all time (in my opinion) and is one of the only things that always makes me smile.

Frank Oz is also a movie director and actor but the contribution he has made to wonderful TV that is also educational stands high above the rest of his other (also) amazing accomplishments.

Be sure to watch some of his amazing characters below.