SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Emmy Award-winning Muppets and "Fraggle Rock" head writer Jerry Juhl has died in a San Francisco hospital at age 67.
Juhl, who was semi-retired and lived in Casper, Calif., died of cancer Sept. 27, The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
Juhl headed up TV's popular "The Muppet Show," co-wrote most of the Muppet movies and wrote for "Sesame Street" during its early years, the Times said.
He was also head writer and creative producer for Jim Henson's "Fraggle Rock," the 1980s TV series about small underground creatures.
Henson's daughter, Lisa, who is co-chief executive of the Jim Henson Co., released a statement saying Juhl "was -- in many ways -- the real voice of the Muppets and of every project from the Jim Henson Co."
Muppets' director and performer Frank Oz concurred, telling the Times: "He was the person responsible really for the heart of the Muppets."
Juhl is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan, and his brother, Phil.
A memorial is planned Nov. 12 at Caspar Community Center.
