Sid Krofft, Co-Creator of Beloved Kids’ Shows Like ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’ and ‘Land of the Lost,’ Passes Away at 96
Sid Krofft, Iconic Children’s Television Creator, Passes Away at 96
Sid Krofft, the renowned creator and co-producer of beloved children’s television shows from the 1970s, died on Friday, April 10, at the age of 96. He passed away peacefully at the home of his friend and business partner, Kelly Killian.
According to his publicist, Adam Fenton, Krofft died in his sleep. Fenton reflected on Krofft’s enduring passion for his work, stating, “Sid Krofft was an icon who did what he loved most until the very end – being out in public with his legions of fans. He never slowed down, attending his final show where it all began just last November in his home state of Rhode Island. Sid was a beacon of light and will be greatly missed.”
Sid Krofft, alongside his brother Marty Krofft, brought a unique artistic vision to children’s programming during a transformative era for television. Their work combined psychedelic aesthetics with a campy, engaging style, which resonated with young viewers across the nation. The duo created memorable hits like H.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost, The Bugaloos, and Lidsville, and they were instrumental in designing costumes for The Banana Splits and producing The Donnie and Marie Show starring Donnie and Marie Osmond.
Born Cydus Yolas in Montreal on July 30, 1929, Sid’s journey in entertainment began when he purchased his first puppet at age 10 and became a street performer in Providence, Rhode Island. His father recognized his talent and hired an agent, resulting in a name change to Sid Krofft. By 16, he was performing in vaudeville and with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
In the early 1950s, he traveled Europe with his marionette act, performing at renowned venues and even for the queen of England. In 1957, Krofft created his first television pilot, Here’s Irving, which, while not picked up, led to notable opportunities including a recommendation from Jack Benny to work as Judy Garland’s opening act.
Krofft’s creativity extended to amusement parks, where he served as the creative head for Six Flags, designing rides and attractions that incorporated his whimsical style. His partnership with Marty flourished as they opened their Showbusiness Factory, producing innovative puppet shows and character designs for various brands, most notably The Banana Splits, which debuted in 1968.
Their work culminated in the 1969 debut of H.R. Pufnstuf, a groundbreaking children’s show featuring the character HR Pufnstuf, which led to a successful franchise. Krofft’s legacy continued with shows like Land of the Lost, which ran from 1974 to 1976 and was later rebooted.
In recent years, Krofft was active on social media, hosting a show called Sundays with Sid, where he engaged with fans and fellow creatives.
Kelly Killian expressed her heartfelt sentiments, stating, “I loved Sid with my whole heart. He taught me more than I could ever put into words—about the art of Hollywood, the magic of the stage, and the depth and complexity of human nature.” She revealed that they were in the midst of finalizing two books about Krofft’s life and career and were developing new children’s shows.
Sid and Marty Krofft received numerous accolades for their contributions to entertainment, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys and recognition on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
