Multi-Emmy Award-nominated puppeteer Wayne Martin marks his 60th year in entertainment in 2026, celebrating a career that began in early childhood and has since reached audiences worldwide. A pioneering force in puppetry, he founded Wayne Martin Puppets™ in 1966 at age eight and has performed professionally ever since. 

Over six decades, Martin has appeared with symphony orchestras and served as a principal manipulator for 
Larry Smith Puppets, The Heiken Puppets, Sid and Marty Krofft Productions, and Jim Henson’s Muppets.

His work includes feature films such as
Muppets Take Manhattan and The Women, as well as award-winning advertising campaigns including More Magic Money, Stretch It to the Limit, and Waters.

His credits span educational films like Great Can Caper, Early Bird Prevention Program™, and The Good Citizen Show, along with syndicated television series including Cartoon Clubhouse, The Nick Clooney Show, Braun & Company, Past Prime Playhouse, The Reggie & Oswald Alien Show™, Lil’ Iguana, and specials such as The Magic Forest, Buford T. Dog™, and The Magical Christmas of Michael Peabody™.

Throughout his career, he has designed and built more than 2000 puppets and shared the stage with artists such as Bob Hope, Dolly Parton, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, The 5th Dimension, and The Temptations.

Martin has toured Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia, and in the United States alone has presented his one-man marionette variety show, Martin’s Magical Musical Revue, approximately 6,000 times. This enduring body of work firmly establishes him as a master entertainer and one of puppetry’s most respected creative voices.