Kathryn Mullen (born February 10, 1940) is an American puppeteer, actress, and voice actress most closely associated with Jim Henson projects.
History
Mullen began performing on
The Muppet Show in its third season, primarily as Gaffer the Backstage Cat. She also voice directed
Dog City for
Nelvana, worked as a designer for
The Muppet Movie, right-handed for
Frank Oz on
Yoda on
The Empire Strikes Back,
and was one of the creators of
Between the Lions. While reprising Gaffer for several Muppet movies, she also performed
Mokey Fraggle and Cotterpin Doozer on Henson's
Fraggle Rock.
She performed the
Gelfling Kira in the movie
The Dark Crystal,
Allegra on
Allegra's Window, and Leona the Lion on
Between the Lions.
Mullen, with her husband, former Muppet designer Michael K. Frith, founded "No Strings" along with emergency aid worker Johnie McGlade. The company originally created a film for children in Afghanistan, warning of the dangers of land mines. In the film, "The Story of the Little Carpet Boy," one puppet loses several limbs before he learns to avoid land mines completely. Since the first film, No Strings has gone on to create films for children in need in areas including Africa, Haiti, Madagascar, Sudan, and Syria. In 2016 No Strings was awarded the 2016 Adela Dwyer-St. Thomas of Villanova Peace Award from Villanova University
In 2013, Mullen attended Dragon Con with Karen Prell and Frith as part of the 30th Anniversary of Fraggle Rock where Mullen performed Mokey Fraggle while Prell performed Red Fraggle.
Filmography
Television
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Allegra's Window – Allegra
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Between the Lions – Leona Lion/Dog (logo only, 2000–2008)
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Fraggle Rock – Mokey Fraggle, Cotterpin Doozer, Rock Hockey Hanna, Merboo Merggle, Magenta Fraggle, Mother Goose, A Pink Dancing Fraggle, Old Gypsy Lady, Wimple Fraggle, Mama Tree Bird, Sally Spotless, Tammy Shrub, Additional Muppets
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Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters – Penguin, Rat
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Sesame Street – Grover's Mommy, Sally Smith, Additional Muppets
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The Muppet Show – Wanda (1979) Gaffer the Cat, Mrs. Appleby, Prairie dog, Beaker Clones, Additional Muppets
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The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss – Little Cat A (1996–1997), Junior Kangaroo (1996–1997), Morton the Elephant Bird (1996–1997), Mayor Stovepipe, Lieutenant Hopwood, Mrs. Casaba, Additional Muppets
Film
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A Muppet Family Christmas – Mokey Fraggle, Additional Muppets
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Billy Bunny's Animal Songs – Billy Bunny's Mother, Frog, Gopher
-
– Additional Muppets
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Labyrinth – (puppeteer)
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– Grouch Diner Patron, Anything Muppet Girl
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The Christmas Toy – Apple
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The Dark Crystal – Kira (puppeteer)
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The Empire Strikes Back - Performing assistant for Yoda
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The Great Muppet Caper – Gaffer the Cat, Additional Muppets
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The Muppet Movie – Additional Muppets
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The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson – Joy Buzzer, Mokey Fraggle, Additional Muppets
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The Muppets Go Hollywood – Additional Muppets
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The Muppets Go to the Movies – Additional Muppets
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The Muppets Take Manhattan – Jill the Frog, Additional Muppets
External links