Guy Gilchrist Remembers David Lazer, Jim Henson’s Trusted Producer

In a heartfelt Instagram post, veteran cartoonist Guy Gilchrist paid tribute to his late friend and collaborator David Lazer, best known as the executive producer on The Muppet Show and numerous Jim Henson Company projects. Gilchrist reflected on Lazer’s crucial role behind the scenes—from securing funding to catering to every guest star’s personal comforts—revealing a bond that went far beyond business.

A Pillar Behind The Scenes

David Lazer joined Jim Henson’s team in the mid-1960s, and by the time Guy Gilchrist first met him in 1980, Lazer had already spent 15 years steering the Muppet enterprise. According to Gilchrist’s caption on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ8uXDKuR6r/), Lazer wasn’t just “officially” Jim’s executive producer; he was Henson’s business partner and most trusted friend. He guided each production, arranged financing, and personally ensured that guest stars—from Hollywood A-listers to international musicians—felt at home during their London shoots.

Each guest’s experience was meticulously curated. “David oversaw everything from picking them up at the airport to their favorite foods to their London apartment that represented who they were,” Gilchrist recalled. With that personal touch, The Muppet Show became a magnet for celebrity appearances, and countless stars have shared fond memories of Lazer’s thoughtful hospitality.

Gilchrist’s Personal Reminiscences

For Gilchrist, who began working with Henson as a teenager, Lazer was also a guiding mentor. “Although it wasn’t part of his job,” Gilchrist wrote, “he gave me advice, made me feel special and made me feel heard.” He remembered one remark that captured Henson’s creative drive: “Jim has a whim of steel.” That insight, attributed to Lazer, spoke to Henson’s determination to blend imagination with technical excellence.

In a separate post from 1982 (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJthfPHuKNw/), Gilchrist described his early days in New York: “You changed my world before we even met. Then you changed my heart, and my life. I’ll never stop being YOUR CARTOONIST. ‘The only way The Magic works is through Hard Work. But Hard Work can be Fun!’ I’m on it, Jim.” That blend of reverence and optimism, nurtured by both Henson and Lazer, shaped Gilchrist’s career—from illustrating the Muppet Show comic strip (1981–1986) to authoring children’s books.

The Legacy Continues

Guy Gilchrist’s tribute underscores a broader recognition of those who labor unseen on beloved productions. David Lazer’s passing leaves a void not only for Jim Henson’s company but for the tight-knit Muppet family he helped forge. Having battled health issues for the past decade, Lazer is now reunited with Henson—an abiding comfort for those who admired him.

Drawing on its Wikipedia profile, Gilchrist’s career spans decades: born in 1957, he rose to prominence as the cartoonist behind the official Muppet Show strip and later took on the iconic Nancy comic. His posts keep Jim Henson’s spirit alive, blending nostalgia with ongoing events—like the 2025 “Keep Jim’s Spirit Alive” tour—ensuring new generations connect with that same blend of creativity and heart.

Gilchrist’s Instagram gallery features candid snapshots of Lazer at work among the puppets, reminding fans that behind every puppet’s wink or song lies the dedication of producers like David Lazer. The tribute closes with a poignant note: though they hadn’t seen each other in years, Gilchrist was “so glad I got to tell him” how much he meant to him.

Through these memories, Guy Gilchrist ensures David Lazer’s impact endures, celebrating a man whose kindness behind the scenes created magic on screen and warmth off it.

Reporter

Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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