- Velma Wayne Dawson
Velma Wayne Dawson (
May 30 ,1912 –September 26 ,2007 ) was an Americanpuppet maker andpuppeteer . She was best known for creating theHowdy Doody marionettes for the Howdy Doody Show. cite news |first=|last=|title= Howdy Doody puppet creator dies|url=http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/NEWS01/70926003|work=The Desert Sun |publisher=|date=2007-09-26 |accessdate=2007-10-02] She was born on May 20, 1912, inSydney, Australia .Dawson created the first Howdy Doody marionettes for the famous children's show in 1948. She continued to build the marionettes until the show went off the air in 1960.
Dawson was honored by the
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Pacific Southwest Chapter for her 50 year long career intelevision . Additionally, she has been honored with a spot on thePalm Springs Walk of Stars . She was an activebenefactor toCollege of the Desert in Palm Springs.Velma Wayne Dawson died on September 26, 2007, in
Palm Springs, California . She was 95 years old.External links
* [http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OBITUARIES/709270344/1090/NLETTER01 The Desert Sun: Creator of Howdy Doody dies at 95]
* [http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_269142152.html CBS: 'Howdy Doody' Marionette Maker Dies]References
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