Veteran puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew dies at 78

Ronnie Le Drew, the celebrated puppeteer and voice behind the iconic children's television character Zippy, has died at the age of 78. The British Puppet Guild confirmed his death on Monday, July 27, 2026, stating he passed away following a short illness. Le Drew's career spanned more than five decades, making him a beloved figure in British entertainment and a respected mentor in the puppetry community.

Born in Toronto, Canada, on October 23, 1947, Le Drew moved to the United Kingdom and trained at London's Little Angel Theatre. He is best known for performing Zippy, the excitable, zip-mouthed puppet from the ITV show "Rainbow," a role he took on in the early 1970s and continued for nearly two decades. The show, conceived as a British equivalent to "Sesame Street," ran for 27 series and over a thousand episodes after its 1972 launch, becoming a staple for generations of young viewers.

Beyond "Rainbow," Le Drew's extensive career included work on television shows such as "The Sooty Show," "Playdays," and "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance." His film credits as a puppeteer and performer included "Labyrinth," "The Muppet Christmas Carol," and "Little Shop of Horrors." He also...