Toby Philpott: podcast appearances and interviews

Toby Philpott, born on 14 February 1946, is an English puppeteer recognized for his work in motion picture animatronics during the 1980s. Coming from a family of entertainers, he left formal schooling and traveled the world in the 1960s, earning a living through various street performances such as juggling, fire eating, magic shows, clowning, and acrobatics. His career in film began when Jim Henson personally selected him to work on the 1982 film The Dark Crystal, where he collaborated closely with Henson. The following year, Philpott contributed as one of the puppeteers controlling Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi, handling the left arm, head, tongue, and body of the large puppet. His puppetry talents extended to other movies including The Company of Wolves, Labyrinth, Little Shop of Horrors, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. After his work on these projects, he eventually left the film industry. Reflecting on his career, Philpott describes himself as a street juggler who was fortunate to find success in the entertainment industry.