> At a Glance
> – Brian Henson, lead puppeteer on Labyrinth, remembers David Bowie as patient, playful, and approachable
> – Bowie treated the puppet-heavy production like a vacation, often laughing mid-take
> – A 40th-anniversary re-release is now in theaters via The Jim Henson Company and Fathom Entertainment
> – Why it matters: Fans get a behind-the-scenes look at how the Goblin King’s relaxed charm shaped the 1986 cult classic
Brian Henson was 22 when he spent months opposite David Bowie inside the stone corridors of Labyrinth. Four decades later, he tells News Of Los Angeles that the glam-rock legend felt less like an untouchable icon and more like family.
Inside the Maze
Henson puppeteered Hoggle, the gruff goblin who guides Jennifer Connelly’s Sarah, while Bowie twirled as Jareth, the baby-snatching king. The cramped, eye-blinking animatronics meant endless retakes-“the eyes got stuck,” Henson laughs-but Bowie never lost his cool.
> “He was super patient with all of that… really good.”
Between setups, the star traded stadiums for a North London pub vibe, sipping pints with crew members.
> “He’s just a Cockney boy underneath it all.”
A Shared Sense of Humor
Henson says Bowie’s quick laugh mirrored his late father, Jim Henson, the film’s director.
> “They both had totally crooked teeth… really quick to laugh.”
Mid-scene giggles often forced resets, yet the mood stayed light.
> “For him, playing Jareth… was like going on vacation… ‘All I have to do is show up.'”
Back on the Big Screen
To mark 40 years, Labyrinth returns to select theaters through a partnership between The Jim Henson Company and Fathom Entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- Bowie’s patience eased technical headaches on a puppet-driven set
- Off-camera, he socialized with crew over daily pints
- The anniversary run lets new audiences witness that behind-the-scenes magic
Grab your tickets and step back into the maze-goblin bloopers included.
