Sid and Marty Krofft facts for kids

Sid Krofft (born July 30, 1929) and Marty Krofft (April 9, 1937 – November 25, 2023) were famous Canadian brothers. They were known as The Krofft Brothers. They created, wrote, and produced many popular TV shows, especially for children. Their company, Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures, made shows like H.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost, and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. Their fantasy shows often featured large, colorful puppets, exciting stories, and cool special effects.

How the Krofft Brothers Started

Sid and Marty Krofft were born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sid was born on July 30, 1929, and Marty on April 9, 1937. Their family name was originally Yolas. For many years, they said they were the fifth generation of puppeteers in their family. However, in 2008, they shared that this story was made up by a publicist in the 1940s.

Their father, Peter, sold clocks. He moved from Canada to Providence, Rhode Island, and then to New York City. Sid Krofft became a popular puppeteer. He performed in vaudeville shows and was a special performer with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

In the 1940s, Sid created his own puppet show called "The Unusual Artistry of Sid Krofft." He performed this show all over the world. His father joined him on tour in Paris. Marty stayed in New York and started using his older brother's puppets to earn money by putting on shows. By the 1950s, the Krofft brothers were working together. In 1957, they created Les Poupées de Paris, a puppet show for grown-ups. One of their first times on TV was in 1965, on the first episode of The Dean Martin Show.

Amazing TV Shows

Marty Krofft in 1962

The Kroffts first designed characters and sets for Hanna-Barbera's The Banana Splits (1968–1970). Then, in 1969, they started their own producing career with the famous children's TV show H.R. Pufnstuf. This show introduced their unique style. It featured big, colorful designs, amazing puppetry, and special effects. The story was about a boy who gets pulled into a fantasy world and can't escape. This type of story became a common theme in their shows.

The Kroffts loved making superhero stories. Often, children played the heroes or were part of a hero team. Some of their most creative and popular shows include:

• The Bugaloos (1970)
• Lidsville (1971)
• Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973–1975)
• Land of the Lost (1974–1976)
• The Lost Saucer (1975)
• Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976)
• Wonderbug (1976–1978)

The World of Sid and Marty Krofft Amusement Park

In 1976, a builder asked the Kroffts to create an indoor amusement park. It was planned for a new building called Omni International in downtown Atlanta. The park, named The World of Sid and Marty Krofft, opened but closed after only six months. Not enough people visited it. The Omni International building later became the CNN Center.

Why Their Shows Were Special

The Kroffts' children's shows became very popular. Many adults who watched them as kids still love them today. The Kroffts also created many prime-time music and variety shows. These shows often had a famous host, celebrity guests, colorful sets, and funny, light-hearted comedy skits.

People often praise the Kroffts for their creative ideas. Their shows were colorful and full of energy. They also created children's shows with complex stories and unique characters. Sometimes their shows were darker or had more action than other kids' shows. Their shows are also loved for their "camp" style. This comes from their low-budget special effects, the dream-like feel of many shows, and the unique 1970s music and designs.

Later Years and Awards

The Kroffts sometimes tried new things with their shows. Examples include Pryor's Place (1984) and the puppet show D.C. Follies (1987), which made fun of politics. They also tried to update some of their classic shows for new generations. These included new versions of Land of the Lost, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, H.R. Pufnstuf, and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. A new original series called Mutt & Stuff aired on Nickelodeon from 2015 to 2017.

In 2018, the Kroffts received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys. This award recognized their amazing work over many years. In 2020, the Kroffts were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This was for all their contributions to television.

In May 2022, the Kroffts attended the first Krofft Kon. This was a special event held in Orinda, California, where they met some of the actors from their TV shows.

Marty Krofft passed away on November 25, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. He was 86 years old.

Awards and Honors

Their Creative Works

TV Series

• Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (2016)
• Mutt & Stuff (2015)
• Land of the Lost (1991)
• D.C. Follies (1987)
• Pryor's Place (1984)
• Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980)
• Pink Lady and Jeff (1980)
• The Krofft Superstar Hour (1978; also known as The Bay City Rollers Show)
  • Horror Hotel
  • The Lost Island
• The Brady Bunch Hour (1977)
• The Krofft Supershow (1976)
  • Dr. Shrinker (1976)
  • Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976)
  • Kaptain Kool and the Kongs (1976)
  • Wonderbug (1976)
  • Bigfoot and Wildboy (1977)
  • Magic Mongo (1977)
• Donny & Marie (1976; also known as The Osmond Family Show)
• The Lost Saucer (1975)
• Far Out Space Nuts (1975)
• Land of the Lost (1974)
• Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973)
• Lidsville (1971)
• The Bugaloos (1970)
• H.R. Pufnstuf (1969)
• The Banana Splits (1968; characters created for Hanna-Barbera Productions)

TV Specials and Pilots

• Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (2001, unaired pilot)
• Krofft Late Night (1991)
• Sid & Marty Krofft's Red Eye Express (1988)
• The Patti LaBelle Show (1985)
• Rock 'n' Wrestling Saturday Spectacular (1985)
• The Cracker Brothers (1985)
• Saturday's the Place (1984)
• Oral Roberts Celebration (1981)
• The CBS Saturday Morning Preview Special (1983)
• Anson & Lorrie (1981)
• Bobby Vinton's Rock 'n' Rollers (1978)
• The Krofft Komedy Hour (1978)
• The Bay City Rollers Meet the Saturday Superstars (1978)
• Kaptain Kool and the Kongs Present ABC All-Star Saturday (1977)
• The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1976)
• The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976) - Included Witchiepoo and other Krofft characters
• Jimmy Osmond Presents ABC's Saturday Sneak Peek (1976)
• Really Raquel (1974)
• Prevue Revue (1974)
• The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl (1973)
• Fol-de-Rol (1972)

Direct-to-Video

• Wishing Well Willy (1995)
• Toby Terrier and His Video Pals (1993-1994) - Made to work with an electronic toy

Films

• Land of the Lost (2009)
• Harry Tracy, Desperado (1982)
• Side Show (1981)
• Middle Age Crazy (1980)
• Pufnstuf (1970)

Live Shows

• "Blast" (1991)
• Comedy Kings (1988)
• A Broadway Baby (1984)
• Fol-de-Rol (1968)
• Kaleidoscope (1968)
• Circus (1966)
• Funny World (1966)
• Les Poupées de Paris (1961)
• Howdy, Mr. Ice of 1950 (1949)

Web Series

• Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (2017)
• Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (2016)

See also

In Spanish: Sid y Marty Krofft para niños