Ronnie Le Drew, puppeteer behind Zippy and David Bowieâs goblins, dies aged 78 | TheBriefWire
Ronnie Le Drew, puppeteer behind Zippy and David Bowieâs goblins, dies aged 78
Published 27 July 2026 ¡ politics
Canadian-born British operator, president of the British Puppet Guild, passed away after a âshort illnessâ Ronnie Le Drew, best known for operating the puppet Zippy
Canadian-born British operator, president of the British Puppet Guild, passed away after a âshort illnessâ Ronnie Le Drew, best known for operating the puppet Zippy on the classic childrenâs television programme Rainbow has died aged 78, after a âshort illnessâ.
The news was confirmed by the British Puppet Guild, of which Le Drew was president. The Canadian-born British puppeteer was also known for working on 1986âs Labyrinth alongside David Bowie as well as 1986âs Little Shop of Horrors and various Muppet movies including in 1992âs The Muppet Christmas Carol.
He worked on various iterations of Sooty, alongside both Harry Corbett and Matthew Corbett, usually as Sweep, Sootyâs sidekick. Continue reading...
Published: July 27, 2026 ⢠10:51 PM IST ¡ Updated: July 27, 2026 ⢠11:08 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
Canadian-born British operator, president of the British Puppet Guild, passed away after a âshort illnessâ Ronnie Le Drew, best known for operating the puppet Zippy on the classic childrenâs television programme Rainbow has died aged 78, after a âshort illnessâ.
The news was confirmed by the British Puppet Guild, of which Le Drew was president.
The Canadian-born British puppeteer was also known for working on 1986âs Labyrinth alongside David Bowie as well as 1986âs Little Shop of Horrors and various Muppet movies including in 1992âs The Muppet Christmas Carol.
He worked on various iterations of Sooty, alongside both Harry Corbett and Matthew Corbett, usually as Sweep, Sootyâs sidekick.
The BriefWire