Before Richard Hunt joined the Muppets and became a master puppeteer, he held a series of odd jobs: he delivered newspapers, prepared weather reports for radio DJ Cousin Brucie Morrow, and babysat for various families in and around Closter, New Jersey, including the five “headstrong” Capeci siblings. 
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ernie Capeci, who, though initially Hunt’s babysitting charge, eventually became his lifelong friend. He generously shared stories of their childhood neighborhood adventures, the origins of Muppet character Janice, Hunt’s experience of the AIDS crisis and his complex path to self-acceptance. (more…)
