Frank Oz

Born:May 25, 1944

Place of Birth:Hereford, Herefordshire, England, UK

Known For:Acting

Biography

Frank Oz, born Richard Frank Oznowicz on May 25, 1944, is a versatile British-born American artist known for his contributions to the world of film and entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Oz has showcased his talents as a film director, actor, voice actor, and puppeteer, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

One of his most iconic creations is none other than the glamorous and assertive Miss Piggy, a character beloved by audiences worldwide for her larger-than-life personality and impeccable fashion sense. Alongside Miss Piggy, Oz also brought to life the lovable and comedic Fozzie Bear on the beloved television series, The Muppet Show, capturing the hearts of viewers with his endearing performances.

In addition to his work on The Muppet Show, Frank Oz has made significant contributions to the world of cinema as a director, helming films that have become cult classics in their own right. His directorial credits include the remake of Little Shop of Horrors, a darkly comedic musical that has garnered a dedicated following, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a witty and engaging comedy that showcases Oz's versatility behind the camera.

One of Frank Oz's most enduring legacies in the world of film is his portrayal of the wise and enigmatic Jedi Master Yoda in the Star Wars franchise. As the operator and voice of Yoda, Oz brought depth and gravitas to the character, solidifying Yoda's status as one of the most iconic figures in the Star Wars universe.

Beyond his work with puppets and in front of the camera, Frank Oz has proven himself to be a skilled and visionary director, with a keen eye for storytelling and character development. His films exhibit a unique blend of humor, heart, and creativity, captivating audiences and critics alike with their originality and charm.

Throughout his career, Frank Oz has demonstrated a remarkable ability to inhabit a diverse range of characters, from larger-than-life puppets to complex and nuanced human roles. His dedication to his craft and his passion for storytelling shine through in every performance, earning him the respect and admiration of his peers and fans alike.

In addition to his work in film and television, Frank Oz has also lent his talents to various voice acting projects, bringing characters to life with his distinctive voice and unparalleled skill. His voice work adds depth and dimension to the characters he portrays, creating memorable and engaging performances that resonate with audiences of all ages.

As a multi-talented artist with a career spanning decades, Frank Oz continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world with his creativity, talent, and infectious enthusiasm for his craft. Whether behind the camera, in front of the microphone, or manipulating a puppet, Oz's contributions to the world of entertainment are truly unparalleled, cementing his legacy as a true master of his craft.

With a career as rich and varied as his, Frank Oz remains a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry, celebrated for his creativity, talent, and enduring contributions to film and popular culture. His work continues to captivate audiences of all ages, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the magic of imagination that Oz so brilliantly brings to life on screen.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Inside Out 2

Mind Cop Dave (voice)

2024

Teenager Riley's mind headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Yoda (voice)

2019

The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.

Inside Out

Subconscious Guard Dave (voice)

2015

When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home.

Monsters, Inc.

Jeff Fungus (voice)

2001

Lovable Sulley and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it's the monsters who are scared silly, and it's up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Yoda (archive sound) (uncredited)

2015

Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Yoda (voice)

2005

The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power – and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Yoda (voice)

2017

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Knives Out

Alan Stevens

2019

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Yoda (voice)

1999

Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.

The Empire Strikes Back

Yoda (Voice)

1980

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

Return of the Jedi

Yoda (voice)

1983

Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, while the Emperor seeks to destroy the Rebellion once and for all with a second dreaded Death Star.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Yoda (voice)

2002

Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.

Labyrinth

The Wiseman

1986

When Sarah is forced to babysit her half-brother Toby, she inadvertently summons the Goblin King and he whisks Toby away to his castle at the centre of a labyrinth. Sarah enters into a bargain with the Goblin King where she is given just thirteen hours to solve the labyrinth and rescue Toby, or else lose him forever.

Zathura: A Space Adventure

Robot (voice)

2005

After their father is called into work, two young boys, Walter and Danny, are left in the care of their teenage sister, Lisa, and told they must stay inside. Walter and Danny, who anticipate a boring day, are shocked when they begin playing Zathura, a space-themed board game, which they realize has mystical powers when their house is shot into space. With the help of an astronaut, the boys attempt to return home.

Trading Places

Corrupt Cop

1983

A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.

The Blues Brothers

Corrections Officer

1980

Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.

The Dark Crystal

Aughra, a Keeper of Secrets / Chamberlain

1982

On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to his world, before the grotesque race of Skeksis find and use the crystal for evil.

An American Werewolf in London

Mr. Collins

1981

American tourists David and Jack are savaged by an unidentified vicious animal whilst hiking on the Yorkshire Moors. Retiring to the home of a beautiful nurse to recuperate, David soon experiences disturbing changes to his mind and body.

The Muppet Movie

Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Animal / Sam the Eagle / Doc Hopper's Men / Marvin Suggs / Swedish Chef (hands) / Motorcycle Guy (voice)

1979

A Hollywood agent persuades Kermit the Frog to leave the swamp to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there, he meets a bear, a pig, a whatever – his future muppet crew – while being chased by the desperate owner of a frog-leg restaurant!

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit / Fozzie Bear as Fozziewig / Sam the Eagle as Headmaster of Junior High Graduates / Animal / George the Janitor / Horse and Carriage Driver / Vegetable Salesman (voice)

1992

A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Blues Brothers 2000

Warden

1998

Finally released from prison, Elwood Blues is once again enlisted by Sister Mary Stigmata in her latest crusade to raise funds for a children's hospital. Hitting the road to re-unite the band and win the big prize at the New Orleans Battle of the Bands, Elwood is pursued cross-country by the cops.

Spies Like Us

Test Monitor

1985

Two bumbling government employees think they are U.S. spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys for nuclear war.

Howard

Self (archive footage)

2018

Though legendary lyricist Howard Ashman died far too young, his impact on Broadway, movies, and the culture at large were incalculable. Told entirely through rare archival footage and interviews with Ashman’s family, friends, associates, and longtime partner Bill Lauch, Howard is an intimate tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent and a rousing celebration of musical storytelling itself.

Muppet Treasure Island

Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Sam the Eagle / Animal (voice)

1996

After telling the story of Flint's last journey to young Jim Hawkins, Billy Bones has a heart attack and dies just as Jim and his friends are attacked by pirates. The gang escapes into the town where they hire out a boat and crew to find the hidden treasure, which was revealed by Bones before he died. On their voyage across the seas, they soon find out that not everyone on board can be trusted.

Innocent Blood

Pathologist

1992

Marie is a vampire with a thirst for bad guys. When she fails to properly dispose of one of her victims, a violent mob boss, she bites off more than she can chew and faces a new, immortal danger.

Muppets from Space

Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Animal / Sam the Eagle (voice)

1999

When Gonzo's breakfast cereal tells him that he's the descendant of aliens from another planet, his attempts at extraterrestrial communication get him kidnapped by a secret government agency, prompting the Muppets to spring into action. It's hard to believe Gonzo's story at first, but Kermit and friends soon find themselves on an epic journey into outer space filled with plenty of intergalactic misadventures.

The Great Muppet Caper

Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Sam the Eagle / Animal (voice)

1981

Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time frame Miss Piggy. It's up to Kermit and Muppets to bring the real culprits to justice.

The Muppets Take Manhattan

Miss Piggy / Fozzie / Animal / Bert / Cookie Monster / Ocean Breeze Soap Board Member / Sam the Eagle (voice)

1984

When the Muppets graduate from Danhurst College, they take their song-filled senior revue to New York City, only to learn that it isn't easy to find a producer who's willing to back a show starring a frog and a pig. Of course, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy won't take no for an answer, launching a search for someone to take them to Broadway.

Follow That Bird

Cookie Monster / Bert / Grover / Additional Muppets (voice)

1985

Big Bird is sent to live far from Sesame Street by a pesky social worker, who thinks it would be better for him to live with other birds. Unhappy, Big Bird runs away from his foster home, prompting the rest of the Sesame Street gang to go on a cross-country journey to find him.

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Self (archive footage)

2021

Take a stroll down Sesame Street and witness the birth of the most influential children's show in television history. From the iconic furry characters to the classic songs you know by heart, learn how a gang of visionary creators changed the world.

Production

The Dark Crystal

Director

1982

The Score

Director

2001

An aging thief hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when a young kid convinces him into doing one last heist.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Director

1988

Con artist Lawrence Jamieson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the lavish fruits of his deceptions -- that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy's lowbrow tactics impinge on his own sophisticated work and believing him to be the infamous conman 'The Jackal', Lawrence resolves to get rid of him. Confident of his own duplicitous talents, he challenges Freddy to a winner-takes-all competition: whoever swindles their latest mark, American heiress Janet Colgate, out of $50,000 first can stay, while the other must leave town.

The Stepford Wives

Director

2004

What does it take to become a Stepford wife, a woman perfect beyond belief? Ask the Stepford husbands, who've created this high-tech, terrifying little town.

Death at a Funeral

Director

2007

A myriad of outrageous calamities befalls an eccentric English clan with more than a few skeletons in its closets when the family's patriarch dies an unexpected death.

Little Shop of Horrors

Director

1986

Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik's; a flower shop in urban Skid Row. He harbors a crush on fellow co-worker, Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr. Mushnik daily. One day, Seymour finds a very mysterious unidentified plant which he calls Audrey II. The plant seems to have a craving for blood and soon begins to sing for his supper.

The Muppet Movie

Creative Consultant

1979

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Executive Producer

1992

Bowfinger

Director

1999

On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingenue, a has-been diva and a film studio gofer, he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey -- only without letting Ramsey know he's in the picture.

The Indian in the Cupboard

Director

1995

A nine-year-old boy gets a plastic Indian and a cupboard for his birthday and finds himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life and befriends him.

In & Out

Director

1997

A midwestern teacher questions his sexuality after a former student makes a comment about him at the Academy Awards.

What About Bob?

Director

1991

Before going on vacation, self-involved psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin has the misfortune of taking on a new patient: Bob Wiley. An exemplar of neediness and a compendium of phobias, Bob follows Marvin to his family's country house. Dr. Marvin tries to get him to leave; the trouble is, everyone loves Bob. As his oblivious patient makes himself at home, Dr. Marvin loses his professional composure and, before long, may be ready for the loony bin himself.