The life of Jim Henson

Jim_Henson,_Fraggle_Rock_-_Courtesy_of_The_Jim_Henson_Company,_Photo_by_John_E._Barrett.jpg — John E. Barrett/Courtesy The Jim Henson Company

Jim Henson poses with the cast of "Fraggle Rock." Airing on HBO from 1983 to 1987, the show was the network's first original series -- the colorful ancestor to shows like "The Sopranos" and "Game of Thrones."

A new book on Henson's life and career, "Jim Henson: The Biography," was released this week by Random House. Click on to see more photos from the book.

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Cookie_Monster_1960s_-_Courtesy_of_The_Jim_Henson_Company,_Muppets_copyright_Disney.jpg — Courtesy The Jim Henson Company/Muppets/Disney

A manic Muppet monster devours a machine in one of Jim Henson's short films for IBM from the late 1960's. The monster would be defanged and used again as Sesame Street's ravenous Cookie Monster.

Henson_family_1970s_-_Courtesy_of_The_Jim_Henson_Company,_Photo_by_Nancy_Moran.jpg — Nancy Moran/Courtesy The Jim Henson Company

The Henson family in the late 1970's. Left to right: Cheryl, Jane, Brian, Jim (with Heather on shoulders), John, and Lisa.

Jim_Henson,_Brian_Henson_-_courtesy_of_The_Jim_Henson_Company.jpg — Courtesy The Jim Henson Company

Twenty-three-year-old Brian Henson performed the dog on "The Storyteller," one of many projects in which Jim and the Henson children would perform or participate.

"One of the best ways for us to be around him," said daughter Cheryl, "was to work with him."

Jim_Henson,_David_Bowie,_Jennifer_Connelly_-_courtesy_of_The_Jim_Henson_Company,_Photo_by_John_Brown.jpg — John Brown/Courtesy The Jim Henson Company

Jim Henson with David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly on the set of "Labyrinth" in 1985.

The movie was, according to Jane Henson, "absolutely the closest project to him," and he was devastated by its failure at the box office.

Jim_Henson,_Kathy_Mullen_-_The_Dark_Crystal_-_Courtesy_of_The_Jim_Henson_Company,_Photo_by_Murray_Close.jpg — Murray Close/Courtesy The Jim Henson Company

"The Dark Crystal" (1982) was Jim's most ambitious project to date, a richly designed universe requiring complicated and physically demanding puppetry. Here Jim and performer Kathy Mullen bend and squeeze themselves out of camerashot as they perform Jen and Kira, the film's heroes.