Marty Krofft (born 9 April 1937 – died 25 November 2023, Age: 86 years old) was a Canadian-American television producer, writer, and puppeteer who, along with his brother Sid Krofft, created some of the most iconic and imaginative children’s shows of the 1970s and beyond. He was also known for producing variety shows, specials, and movies for all ages. He died on November 25, 2023, at the age of 86, from kidney failure.
Early Life and Career
Marty was born as Marty Yolas on April 9, 1937, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was of Greek and Hungarian descent, and his original surname was Yolas. He and his brother Sid Krofft claimed to be the fifth generation of puppeteers in their family but later admitted that this story was made up by a publicist in the 1940s. Their father Peter was a clock salesman who moved from Canada to Providence, Rhode Island, and then to New York City.
Krofft started his showbiz career by using his older brother’s puppets to stage performances and earn money in New York. He later joined his brother Sid, who was a popular puppeteer who worked in vaudeville and circus, on tour in Paris.
In 1957, they developed Les Poupées de Paris, a puppet show with more mature themes, which became a hit in Las Vegas and around the world. One of their early exposures to a television audience was the premiere episode of The Dean Martin Show in 1965, where they performed with their puppets.
Marty Krofft Wiki/Bio
| Name | Marty Krofft |
| Birth name | Marty Yolas |
| Born | April 9, 1937 |
| Birthplace | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | November 25, 2023 |
| Death place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Kidney failure |
| Occupation | Television producer, writer, puppeteer |
| Spouse | Christa Rogalski (1965–2013) |
| Children | Kristina, Kendra, Deanna |
| Siblings | Sid Krofft, Harry Krofft |
| Other names | The Krofft Brothers |
| Notable work | The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, H.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters |
| martykrofft | |
| Wikipedia | Sid_and_Marty_Krofft |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Television Productions
The Krofft brothers’ television journey took off after designing characters and sets for Hanna-Barbera’s The Banana Splits (NBC, 1968–1970). In 1969, they introduced their trademark style with H.R. Pufnstuf, a fantasy series featuring a boy who has been lured into an alternate world by a talking flute and can never escape.
The show was a success and spawned a feature film, merchandise, and a theme park attraction. The Kroffts also created other fantasy shows, such as Lidsville, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Land of the Lost, The Lost Saucer, Far Out Space Nuts, and Dr. Shrinker. Their shows often featured large-headed puppets, high-concept plots, and low-budget special effects. Some people suggested that the Krofft brothers were influenced by marijuana and LSD, although they always denied these claims.
The Kroffts also ventured into producing variety shows, such as The Donny & Marie Show, The Brady Bunch Hour, The Bay City Rollers Show, and Pink Lady. They also produced specials and movies for celebrities such as Patti LaBelle, Richard Pryor, Barbara Mandrell, and Anson Williams. They also experimented with political satire, such as D.C. Follies, which featured puppets of famous figures such as Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Mikhail Gorbachev.
The Kroffts continued to produce television shows in the 1990s and 2000s, such as a remake of Land of the Lost, Family Affair, and Mutt & Stuff. They also produced a movie version of Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell, in 2009. They also revived some of their classic shows, such as Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, for new audiences. In 2021, they launched a web series called Mondays with Marty, where Marty Krofft shared stories and memories from his career.
Later Years and Death
The Krofft brothers continued to produce television shows in the 1990s and 2000s, such as The Okee Dokee Show (1997), Toby Terrier and His Video Pals (1993), Family Affair (2002–2003), a remake of the 1960s sitcom, and Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (2016), a reboot of their 1976 superheroine show. They also produced a feature film adaptation of Land of the Lost (2009), starring Will Ferrell, which was a box office flop and received negative reviews. Their last original series was Mutt & Stuff (2015–2017), a preschool show featuring dogs and puppets, which aired on Nickelodeon.
The Kroffts received several honors and awards for their contributions to television, such as the Lifetime Career Award at the 2003 Saturn Awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Daytime Emmys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020. They also had a museum dedicated to their work, the World of Sid and Krofft, which opened in Atlanta in 1976 but closed after six months due to low attendance.
Marty Krofft died on November 25, 2023, in Los Angeles, California, from kidney failure, aged 86. He was surrounded by his family at his home. He was survived by his brother Sid Krofft, his three daughters Kristina, Kendra, and Deanna, and his grandchildren. His wife Christa Rogalski, a former Playboy Playmate, died in 2013.
Personal Life, Spouse & Children
Marty Krofft married Christa Rogalski, also known as Christa Speck, a former Playboy Playmate, on April 1, 1965. They had three daughters: Kristina, Kendra, and Deanna. Christa died on March 22, 2013, from natural causes. Marty died on November 25, 2023, in Los Angeles, California, from kidney failure, surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old.
Krofft was a creative visionary who influenced generations of children and adults with his whimsical and colorful shows. He and his brother Sid Krofft were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television in 2005, and a Lifetime Career Award at the Saturn Awards in 2003. They were also inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2018.
Marty Krofft, the Genius of Puppetry and Fantasy, Passes Away at 86
Marty Krofft, one of the most influential and imaginative producers of children’s television shows, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86 years old. The cause of death was kidney failure, according to his publicist Harlan Boll.
Marty, along with his older brother Sid Krofft, created a series of colorful and whimsical shows that entertained and inspired generations of kids and adults alike. Their shows, such as H.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, and The Bugaloos, featured a unique blend of live-action, puppetry, special effects, and catchy songs. The Krofft brothers also produced a variety of shows for stars like Donny and Marie Osmond, Barbara Mandrell, and Richard Pryor.
Trivia
- Marty was named after Mortimer Snerd, a popular character from Edgar Bergen’s radio show. His brother Sid later changed his name to Marty after seeing Ernest Borgnine’s film Marty (1955).
- Krofft was a highly-awarded used car salesman before embarking on a showbiz career with his brother Sid.
- Marty was an avid collector of memorabilia, art, and antiques. He owned a 1929 Duesenberg, a 1932 Packard, and a 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III.
- He was active on social media, especially Instagram, where he posted photos and videos of his life and work. His Instagram handle was @martykrofft.
- Krofft’s official website was www.sidandmartykrofft.com, where he and his brother Sid shared news, merchandise, and fan club information.
