Sid Krofft, the inventive puppeteer who built a television empire with his younger brother Marty, has died at 96. He helped create some of the most distinctive children’s programming of the late 20th century, including The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, H.R. Pufnstuf, and Land of the Lost.
Krofft died Friday in his sleep at the Los Angeles home of friend and business partner Kelly Killian. He was eight years older than Marty, who died in November 2023 at age 86. Sid served as the creative engine behind their partnership.
“I get a dream, and Marty gets it done,” Sid said in a 2000 interview with the TV Academy Foundation.
Breakthrough With The Banana Splits
The Krofft brothers were established theatrical puppeteers when NBC recruited them in 1968. The network asked them to design costumes for the live-action segments of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour.
Their characters, Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky, formed a fictional rock band. They quickly became a hit with young audiences. The show ran from 1968 to 1970 and continued in reruns for years.
Creating H.R. Pufnstuf
NBC soon asked the brothers to develop an original Saturday morning series. They responded with H.R. Pufnstuf, which debuted in 1969.
The show followed Jimmy, a shipwrecked boy played by Jack Wild, who lands on a magical island. The title character evolved from Luther, a friendly dragon the Kroffts had created for the 1968 HemisFair in San Antonio.
Despite strong popularity, the series ended after one season. NBC wanted more episodes but offered only a modest increase in rights fees. The brothers declined, citing production costs. The show was canceled in 1970 but remained popular in reruns.
Cult Appeal and Cultural Impact
H.R. Pufnstuf gained an unexpected following among college students. Its surreal visuals and bold design stood out. Even The Beatles requested copies of the episodes in England.
The show’s psychedelic style fueled speculation about drug use. Marty Krofft rejected those claims.
“You can’t do a show stoned,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2016.
Expanding the Krofft Universe
The brothers continued producing a string of imaginative series. These included The Bugaloos (1970–72), Lidsville(1971–73), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973–75), and Land of the Lost (1974–76).
Their shows found lasting success in syndication. Land of the Lost later inspired a 2009 film adaptation starring Will Ferrell, though the movie struggled critically.
“We screwed with every kid’s mind,” Marty told The Hollywood Reporter. “There’s a Krofft look. The colors. There’s an edge. Disney doesn’t have an edge.”
Legal Battle and Business Ventures
The Krofft style became so recognizable that it sparked legal action. In the early 1970s, McDonald’s introduced characters like Mayor McCheese for its McDonaldland campaign. The Kroffts sued, claiming infringement, and won a seven-figure settlement in 1977.
In 1976, the brothers expanded into themed entertainment. They opened The World of Sid & Marty Krofft in downtown Atlanta’s Omni Complex, now home to CNN.
The park spanned six levels and was billed as the world’s first vertical amusement park. It drew about 600,000 visitors during its short run. However, high costs and a weak economy forced it to close after just six months.
A Lasting Creative Legacy
Sid Krofft helped redefine children’s television with bold visuals and unconventional storytelling. His work left a lasting imprint on pop culture and influenced generations of creators.
