Sid Krofft, “Land of the Lost” and “H.R. Pufnstuf” co-creator, dies at 96
Sid Krofft, “Land of the Lost” and “H.R. Pufnstuf” co-creator, dies at 96
Mekishana PierreMon, April 13, 2026 at 7:23 PM UTC
0
Sid Krofft in 2025Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Sid Krofft, the beloved children's television producer behind shows like The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, H.R. Pufnstuf, and Land of the Lost, has died. He was 96.
The award-winning puppeteer died of natural causes on Friday, at the home of his friend and business partner Kelly Killian, a spokesperson told PEOPLE Monday.
Killian paid tribute to Krofft on the prolific producer's Instagram page on Monday as well. "I loved Sid with my whole heart. The last six years of my life were devoted to him, and his to me," Killian wrote, in the caption of a post featuring a video of the late Lifetime Achievement Emmy recipient. "In that time, he taught me more than I could ever put into words — about the art of Hollywood, the magic of the stage, and the depth and complexity of human nature."
Sid Krofft in 2010Credit: John M. Heller/Getty
"I wish so very much that I had more time with him. There is no way I could ever repay the life lessons he gave me, both the beautiful and the difficult," Killian continued. "Even now, I find myself instinctively checking in on him, walking into a room ready to ask him a question about a piece of history or a person that no longer exists."
Concluding the tribute to Krofft, Killian wrote, "Last Thursday night, he grabbed my arm and said, 'Kelly, I need you to know something... I love you.' Those words will stay with me forever. I will miss his big blue eyes, his cheerful smile with his dimples, and the warmth that seemed to follow him everywhere he went. That man embodied love, life, and happiness — right to the very end... I love you more, Sid. Always."
Krofft was born Cydus Yolas in Montreal on July 30, 1929. He first found work as a puppeteer touring with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He created his own one-man puppet show, and adopted the stage name Sid Krofft while still in his teens.
In 1957, Krofft and his brother Marty Krofft (born 1937) developed an adult puppet show titled Les Poupées de Paris. In 1965, they were introduced to a wide television audience when they were featured on the debut episode of The Dean Martin Show. The two went on to design the costumes for the live-action portion of NBC's The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, which ran from 1968 to 1970. Their furry creatures — Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky —became instant hits.
Advertisement
Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
The next year, the brothers created their own Saturday morning show for NBC about a shipwrecked boy (Jimmy, played by Jack Wild) who lands on a magical island. H.R. Pufnstuf only aired for one season, but kicked off the brothers' career in TV production. The series was followed by The Bugaloos (1970-72), the Claymation series Lidsville (1971-73), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973-75), and Land of the Lost (1974-76), which inspired a Will Ferrell movie adaptation in 2009.
The duo even opened The World of Sid & Marty Krofft theme park in downtown Atlanta's new Omni Complex (now CNN’s headquarters) in 1976. The park was billed as the world's first vertical amusement park thanks to its six levels. Even with such an intriguing promo, the park closed after just six months.
Sid Krofft in 2020Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The Kroffts also developed numerous live-action variety shows, including The Brady Bunch Hour, The Donny & Marie Show, The Bay City Rollers Show, and Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters. Their puppets toured with such acts as Judy Garland, Liberace, The Mills Brothers, Tony Martin & Cyd Charisse, and Frank Sinatra.
They earned an Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award in 2018 and also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020.
Marty died of kidney failure in November 2023 at 86. Prior to his death, Krofft continued to tell stories, including on his weekly Instagram livestream show "Sundays with Sid," which featured a number of high-profile guests like Paul Reubens, Dita Von Teese, Joel Grey, and Josh Holloway.
Krofft is survived by his three nieces (Marty's daughters), Deanna, Kristina, and Kendra.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
