Essex County, New Jersey, United States | 1918-04-05 | 2013-09-28

Franz "Faz" Fazakas (April 5, 1918 - September 28, 2013) was a special effects designer and puppeteer who contributed to many Muppet productions. Fazakas began his puppetry career in the 1950s with Bil Baird and his marionettes, performing in the Broadway show Flahooley (with Barbara Cook, playing a lion) as well as 1960s off-Broadway puppet productions (often alongside Jerry Nelson), including versions The Wizard of Oz (as the Tin Woodsman) and Winnie the Pooh (as the title character). Faz Fazakas is usually cited as one of the most likely inspirations for Fozzie Bear's Name.