Bernie Brillstein

Bernie Brillstein was Jim Henson's manager throughout most of his career. He also represented many of the cast members from Saturday Night Live, accounting for the "Land of Gorch" segments during the first season. It was through Brillstein that the Muppets would secure many of their first season guest stars on The Muppet Show. It was Brillstein who pushed for the merchandising of the Muppet characters, something Henson was reluctant to do until he was convinced that profits would help him finance pet projects that he would rather be working on.

Brillstein's name was used for the character of Bernie the Agent played by Dom Deluise in The Muppet Movie. Additionally, any time Miss Piggy's agent Bernie is mentioned (Muppetisms, etc.), this is a reference to Brillstein. His name is also used in the Chris Langham episode of The Muppet Show as a fictitious guest who refused to come on the show, Benny Brillstein the Yiddish Yodeler. Lola Falana's agent is also named Bernie in her episode.

In 1999, he published "Where Did I Go Right?," an autobiography heavily featuring behind the scenes stories of the Muppets.