The Muppets industry and popular culture in the United States, receiving recognition from various cultural institutions and organizations, including the American Film Institute, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Library of Congress, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Muppets were created by puppeteer Jim Henson in the 1950s, beginning with Kermit the Frog, who would become Henson's most recognizable character. Originally conceived for an adult audience, Henson claimed, and later retracted, that he coined the term "Muppet" as a portmanteau of the words "marionette" and "puppet". In 1955, the Muppets were introduced in "Sam and Friends", a short-form television series
The Muppets which were similar in format to "The Muppet Show", and three films: "The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992), "Muppet Treasure Island" (1996), and "Muppets from Space" (1999). Disney acquired the Muppets in February 2004, allowing the characters to gain broader public exposure than in previous years. Under Disney, the Muppets achieved revitalized success, starring in two films - "The Muppets" (2011) and "Muppets Most Wanted" (2014) - as well as a short-lived primetime television series on ABC and a reboot of the "Muppet Babies" animated series. Throughout their six-decade career, the Muppets have been regarded as a staple of the entertainment