Born to parents whose hobby was the art of puppetry, began putting on his own shows by age of 12

Moved with family to Oakland, CA

Recruited by Jim Henson at a West Coast convention of puppeteers

First notable collaboration with Jim Henson, "Sesame Street" (PBS)

Created many voices for the syndicated "The Muppet Show"

First feature, credited for voices, song performer and as creative consultant, "The Muppet Movie"

Feature acting debut, "The Blues Brothers"

Provided the voice of Yoda in "The Empire Strikes Back"

First feature as producer, "The Great Muppet Caper"

Feature directing debut, co-directed (with Jim Henson) "The Dark Crystal"

First screenplay credit and solo directorial debut, "The Muppets Take Manhattan"; also puppeteer and voice of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Animal

First non-Muppet feature directing assignment, the musical "Little Shop of Horrors"

Debut as executive producer, "The Muppet Christmas Carol"

Signed a two-year deal with Limelight Entertainment to direct commercials

Puppeteer and provided voice characterizations for ABC's short-lived "Muppets Tonight!"

Executive produced and performed in "Muppet Treasure Island", directed by Henson's son Brian

Directed "In & Out", starring Kevin Kline

Reprised his role as a corrections officer for John Landis' "Blues Brothers 2000"

Once again operated the Yoda puppet and provided his voice for the "Star Wars" prequel "Episode I - The Phantom Menace"

Directed the drama "The Score", starring Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando and Edward Norton

Reprised role as the voice of Yoda in "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones"

Directed Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick in the remake of ''The Stepford Wives,'' Bryan Forbes' 1975 cult classic about upper-crust women being replaced by robots with sunny dispositions

Once again voiced Yoda in "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," the final film of the Star Wars saga

Helmed the black comedy "Death at a Funeral"