PERFORMER | Jim Henson voice |
Frank Oz puppetry | |
DEBUT | 1965 |
DESIGN | Jim Henson designer |
Don Sahlin builder |
Delbert the La Choy Dragon appeared in television commercials for La Choy chow mein from 1965 to 1967. In some commercials he was teamed with Mert, a meek, bespectacled Muppet spokesman.
Though originally built as a live-hand character, in 1966 he was rebuilt as a full-bodied character to engage with live actors in domestic settings.[1] The puppet was capable of emitting fire from its mouth, creating a unique effect in the commercial he appeared in.
Frank Oz, who puppeteered the La Choy Dragon to Jim Henson's voice, notably hated performing inside the full-body suit.[2]
Although he's not named on screen, Delbert's name is documented elsewhere.[3][4]
A rebuilt version of Delbert has been seen in recent exhibits such as Jim Henson: Puppeteer. The 2010 comic book The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion makes a reference to the La Choy Dragon in the last panel, showing a giant Delbert in a chef's hat attacking a building as Skeeter prepares to stop him.
See also
Sources
- β Jim Henson's Red Book entry, 10/25/1966
- β Plume, Ken. FilmForce Interview. February 10, 2000.
- β MuppetFest Q&A with Kirk Thatcher
- β Henson.com Archive