Muppet Treasure Island Inspired Dog Names

The original creator of the beloved muppets was Jim Henson. Not only the brains behind the franchise, Henson was also extremely involved in the performances, as well. While Kermit was the show's star, Rowlf was the first muppet to experience TV glory on his own. He became part of The Jimmy Dean Show, where he played the ukelele and often sang with Dean. 

Rowlf the dog was a scruffy brown canine with many musical talents. He was voiced and controlled by Jim, often hosting Muppet Specials or other pop shows of the time. He was the show's piano player, though people in the US actually missed out on a lot of his musical numbers as they had more success in the UK. 

Rowlf played Dr. Bob in an ongoing veterinarian sketch, where he would be treating other pets. He made multiple cameos on Sesame Street, another wildly successful project of which Henson was a major contributor. In 1979's hit "The Muppet Movie", Rowlf sings a duet with Kermit about lady troubles before joining the crew headed to Hollywood. He also was a part of the "Muppet Babies", of which many other shows and books have been based on. 

Rowlf, though not always at the forefront of the show, was the muppet that most closely represented Jim Henson, himself. In 1990, Jim came down with what he thought was a bad case of the flu. After visiting a local physician, Jim finally went to New York Hospital shortly after he woke up, coughing blood. What was later revealed to be Toxic Shock Syndrome caused by an abscess in his lung, which formed from a viral infection, took Jim's life shortly after he was admitted to the hospital. 

The muppet cast members, along with the entire nation, were heartbroken. An amazing creator who had touched the hearts of so many was taken unexpectantly at the age of 53. The grief put a huge cloud over the muppet family.

For many years after Jim's death, Rowlf lay lifeless as well, as no one felt they could take on the muppet who emulated Henson's spirit the closest. When Rowlf did finally begin to make appearances again, the very first being on the set of Muppet Treasure Island. His screen time is brief and silent, leaving his voice behind with Jim. His presence is a sad, smiling nod reminding viewers of the man who started it all. In recent years, Rowlf utters one or two words in some appearances, but it is still a far cry from the piano-playing host we knew from years past.