> At a Glance
> – Toby Froud, the baby at the heart of Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy classic Labyrinth, is now 41
> – The film returns to cinemas January 8-11 for its 40th anniversary
> – Froud today directs puppets at Shadowmachine on shows like The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
> – Why it matters: Fans can finally see the practical-effects magic on the big screen the way it was meant to be seen
The infant who once crawled through David Bowie’s goblin kingdom is returning to theaters alongside his most famous role. Toby Froud-now a stop-motion puppet art director-says experiencing Labyrinth in the dark with an audience still feels electric four decades later.
From Crib to Credits
Cast at just 18 months old, Froud played the kidnapped baby that sets Sarah’s quest in motion. He has no conscious memories of filming, yet the set never felt strange.
> “I grew up with goblins and fairies surrounding me my whole life,” he tells News Of Los Angeles. “Labyrinth feels normal to me. The rest of the world is weird.”
That comfort translated onscreen; Froud rarely fussed. When tears were needed, hidden performer Shari Weiser-inside the Hoggle suit-became the designated “Toby whisperer,” calming him between takes.
- Volume spikes during the “Dance Magic” sequence startled him
- He wandered the elaborate sets freely after learning to walk
- Puppet workshop familiarity kept him at ease among animatronic creatures
Keeping Fantasy Alive
Today based in Portland, Oregon, Froud has spent 15 years in stop-motion animation, recently overseeing puppets for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. The craft, he says, mirrors what first dazzled him on Labyrinth‘s soundstages.
> “You get to literally create the world from the ground up and bring characters to life that you couldn’t otherwise bring that way.”
He stepped away from his parents’ Froudian style, only to return once he realized the aesthetic was home.
| Project | Medium | Froud Role |
|---|---|---|
| Labyrinth | Live-action puppetry | Baby Toby (actor) |
| The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance | Stop-motion | Puppet Art Director |
| Pinocchio | Stop-motion | Puppet Art Director |
Froud plans to attend one of the anniversary screenings and encourages newcomers and lifelong fans alike to see the film in its intended format.
> “When you get to see this film on the big screen, you get the grandeur of the world. They’re not CG… one of those characters could reach through the screen and touch you.”
Key Takeaways
- Labyrinth‘s limited cinema run begins January 8
- Practical effects and puppetry remain the film’s enduring charm
- Toby Froud’s career keeps the handcrafted legacy alive
For one weekend, moviegoers can share a darkened theater with the grown-up baby who once giggled at goblins-and helped cement Labyrinth as a timeless fantasy milestone.
