Marty Krofft, a legendary figure in children’s television known for creating iconic shows such as “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “The Bugaloos,” has died of kidney failure on November 25 at the age of 86, as confirmed by his publicist Harlan Boll.
Along with his brother Sid, Krofft played a significant role in revolutionizing children’s television with their imaginative productions.
Born in Montreal, Canada, the Krofft brothers founded Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures, pioneering children’s fantasy programs featuring unique puppetry and special effects from the 1960s through the 1980s. Their distinct style of surrealistic programming featured colorful designs, imaginative worlds, and quirky superhero stories, often involving child heroes.
Krofft’s career highlights included a series of innovative shows shaping the children’s entertainment landscape, such as “Land of the Lost,” “The Lost Saucer,” “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl,” “Wonderbug,” “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters,” and “Lidsville.” These shows were characterized by large puppet characters and inventive plots.
The Kroffts also ventured into prime-time television, producing shows like “The Donny and Marie Show” and “The Brady Bunch Hour,” and in 1976, they opened an indoor amusement park in Atlanta, Georgia, named “The World of Sid and Marty Krofft,” though it closed after six months due to low attendance.
Their contribution to television was widely recognized, earning them multiple awards, including Daytime Emmys and Saturn Awards. In 2018, they were honored with an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement, acknowledging their significant impact on children’s television, and in 2020, they were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
