Shari Lewis (1933-1998) was a ventriloquist, actress, and puppeteer who is considered a pioneer of children's puppetry. Her most famous characters were Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy.
Lewis appeared with Lamb Chop alongside Jim Henson and other puppeteers (via video editing) to perform "Let's Sing a Song About Burr" at the 1986 Television Academy Hall of Fame ceremony.
Later in 1996, she guest starred on Sesame Street with Lamb Chop in the Street story for Episode 3525 and as part of a celebrity "Alphabet Song" rendition from that season.
When interviewed by USA Today following Jim Henson's death in 1990, Lewis offered the following observations: "He raised puppeteering to an art form beyond people who just jiggle dolls. Lamb Chop and Kermit were very funny together. Kermit would get very rattled whenever she asked, 'So Kermie, how's the pig?'"
Lewis' awards include consecutive "Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series" wins from 1992 to 1996, beating Sonia Manzano, Jerry Nelson, Ruth Buzzi, and Martin P. Robinson, and another win in 2002 beating Kevin Clash.