As Richard Hunt’s biographer, I get the most wonderful mail! Here’s a sampling of some of my favorites.
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Thank you so much for the wonderful work you did on your zine about Richard Hunt.
I had the privilege of working with and being mentored by Richard during Fraggle Rock. I was the doofus in the big hairy costume while he provided the voice and animatronic puppeteering for the face of Junior Gorg. He taught me a lot about the craft, the business and a great deal about life in general.
There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard – usually in ways I least expect but always in manner consistent with Richard’s expansive and giving nature. Sometimes it’s just a little muttering voice with rolling eyes in the back of my skull that says: “Oh well, THAT’s bullshit.” and other times just a surging imperative sense of what must be made right and human in any given situation. It’s hard to explain – but he’s always hanging around.
I just wanted to say thank you for opening up to the world a little more of the great soul and massive heart that was Richard. Well done.
cheers
Rob Mills
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One thing I remember about being a little kid was that the world was very confusing. The Muppet Show and Sesame Street however, made perfect sense. If an author or performer gives life to a character then I am in debt to Richard Hunt. Mainly because I thought as a kid that Kermit would have been in such trouble without Scooter, even though there were numerous times when Scooter got Kermit in to trouble acting as a stage manager/gofer. You have written a beautiful and dignified account of a performer who I think made the world a little easier to handle for many a confused kid.
-Paul C.
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Hi, my name’s Cathy, and I’m a huge fan of your writing. I’ve been interested in Richard Hunt’s career for a long time, and your writing’s the best work done on Hunt that I have ever come across…. Your work perfectly captures the spirit of this incredibly special performer in such a detailed and nuanced way. Your writing is the definitive work on Hunt’s career, and, in my opinion, should be required reading for anyone interested in the study of the history of American popular culture. I am so impressed by your extensive research into Hunt’s life, and your immense knowledge of his life and work, and I am truly inspired by your writing on one of Queer culture’s luminaries and entertainment’s true clown-princes just as I am by Hunt himself.
Cathy
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Hi Max,
I met Richard briefly when I was 16, on the subway in Stockholm in late May or early June 1988. He was with (I think) Ann-Sofie von Otter, the soprano who’s now a big star, and I’d been in the city to pick up a new 12-inch EP by Ed Kuepper (of proto-punk legends The Saints), one of my all-time faves. I was sitting there, pouring over the cover, waiting to get home so I could finally listen to it, when somebody across the aisle asked “Is that an American artist?”. I said “No, he’s Australian” and we ended up talking the rest of the journey. He introduced himself; I couldn’t believe I was in the presence of a muppeteer; I grew up on the Muppets, and I loved them. Richard was so nice, I have never forgotten our brief (maybe a half hour) meeting. He gave me his number in NY, “for when you come over and need a guide”, and I was planning to take him up on his offer after graduating high school in 1992. I don’t know when I found out he passed away, but it was years later, when I was planning a trip and the internet was new. It’s always been one of the big “What ifs?” in my life. Richard struck me as a curious (as in inquisitive and eager to learn) and friendly person, and I would’ve loved to have gotten to know him better. I will definitely buy and read your book when it’s finished, please let me know.
Best regards,
Per Nyström
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Much like everyone (well, everyone cool), I grew up with The Muppets.
I’ve devoured many books about Henson and Sesame Street.
But I never thought to search for a book on Richard Hunt – an unbelievably ignored gap in published Muppet history (same with Jerry Juhl).
So thank you for writing your Hunt biography.
And in the nicest possible way – hurry up.
I really want to read it.
Cheers
Shannon M.