Fran Brill

Biography

Fran Brill (born September 30, 1946) is an actress and puppeteer who worked on Sesame Street beginning in 1970. She was the first female puppeteer hired by Jim Henson, outside of wife Jane Henson. She is best known for performing Prairie Dawn and Zoe. Brill retired from performing in September 2014.

Known for

Midnight Run

Film · 1988 · ★ 7.2

Being There

Film · 1979 · ★ 7.6

What About Bob?

Film · 1991 · ★ 6.9

Law & Order

Series · 1990 · ★ 7.3

The West Wing

Series · 1999 · ★ 8.3

Saturday Night Live

Series · 1975 · ★ 6.9

The Cosby Show

Series · 1984 · ★ 7.0

The Muppets Take Manhattan

Film · 1984 · ★ 6.6

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Series · 2001 · ★ 7.6

City Hall

Film · 1996 · ★ 6.0

Sesame Street

Series · 1969 · ★ 7.1

Doug

Series · 1991 · ★ 7.3

Filmography

• 2024 Jim Henson Idea Man · Self
• 2022 Jerry Nelson: A Celebratory Birthday Animatic · Prairie Dawn (voice) / Zoe (Voice)
• 2021 Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street · Self
• 2020 Muppet Guys Talking: A Special Conversation to Honor Jim Henson · Self
• 2019 Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration · Self
• 2019 Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting · Prairie Dawn / Zoe / Various Characters
• 2017 Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched · Self
• 2015 I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story · Self
• 2014 Sesame Street: M is for Mystery · Zoe
• 2012 Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic Numbers · Zoe
• 2011 Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey · Self
• 2011 Sesame Street: Elmo's Music Magic
• 2011 Sesame Street: Wild Words and Outdoor Adventures
• 2010 Sesame Street: When Families Grieve · Mae
• 2009 Jim Henson: His Sesame Street Story
• 2009 Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends: The Letter Quest and Other Magical Tales
• 2009 Sesame Street: Elmo's World: All About Faces
• 2009 Sesame Street: Bedtime with Elmo · Zoe (voice) (archive footage)
• 2008 Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland · Zoe as Mousey the Hatter Helper (Voice)
• 2008 Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Summer Vacation · Muppet Performer (Voice)
• 2008 Sesame Street: Love the Earth! · Zoe
• 2008 Sesame Street: Count on Sports · Prairie Dawn / Zoe
• 2008 Sesame Street: Play with Me Sesame: Let's Play Games
• 2007 Elmo's Christmas Countdown · Prairie Dawn / Zoe (Voice)
• 2007 Sesame Street: Ready for School!
• 2006 A Sesame Street Christmas Carol · Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (archive footage)
• 2006 Sesame Beginnings: Exploring Together · Prairie Dawn
• 2006 Sesame Street: Elmo's Potty Time · Prairie Dawn (Voice)
• 2005 Sesame Street: Big Bird Sings! · Zoe (Voice)
• 2004 Sesame Street: A Celebration of Me, Grover · Zoe (Voice)
• 2004 Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On! · Zoe / Prairie Dawn (Voice)
• 2004 Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song? · Zoe
• 2004 Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites · Lavender Anything Muppet Girl (Voice)
• 2003 Sesame Street: Sesame Sings Karaoke · Zoe
• 2003 Sesame Street: Zoe's Dance Moves · Zoe
• 2003 Sesame Street: Let's Eat! Funny Food Songs · Cereal (Voice)
• 2002 Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Happy Holidays!
• 2002 Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play · Prairie Dawn / Zoe / Frosty Four Singer (Voice)
• 2002 Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Wake Up with Elmo! · Zoe
• 2002 Elmo's World: Family Feature · Zoe
• 2002 Sesame Street: Play with Me Sesame · Prairie Dawn
• 2001 Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Wild Wild West! · Zoe
• 2001 Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs 2 · Zoe / Mary (Voice)
• 2001 Law & Order: Criminal Intent · Ilene Maxwell
• 2001 Sesame Street: Elmo's Musical Adventure: The Story of Peter and the Wolf · Zoe (Voice)
• 2000 Sheep in the Big City · Little Girl
• 2000 Sesame Street: Elmo's World · Zoe
• 1999 The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland · Zoe (Voice)
• 1999 Third Watch · Mrs. Simpson
• 1999 The West Wing · Zoe (Voice)
• 1999 Doug's 1st Movie · Mrs. Perigrew (Voice)
• 1999 Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs · Zoe / Prairie Dawn (Voice)
• 1999 Sesame Unpaved
• 1999 CinderElmo · Zoe (Voice)
• 1998 Sesame Street: Elmopalooza! · Zoe / Prairie Dawn / Roxie Marie (Voice)
• 1998 Sesame Street: The Alphabet Jungle Game · Zoe (Voice)
• 1997 Sesame Street: Fiesta! · Betty Lou / Zoe (Voice)
• 1997 Sesame Street: Quiet Time · Zoe (Voice)
• 1996 Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas · Zoe (Voice)
• 1996 City Hall · Angie
• 1996 Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet · Zoe (Voice)
• 1996 Sesame Street: Imagine That! · Zoe (Voice)
• 1996 Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Learning to Share · Zoe
• 1994 The World of Jim Henson · Self
• 1994 Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! · Prairie Dawn / Zoe (Voice)
• 1994 Muppet Sing Alongs: It's Not Easy Being Green · Clam / Frog (voice) (archive footage)
• 1994 Sesame Street: The Best of Elmo · Prarie Dawn/Zoe (Voice)
• 1993 Sesame Street Stays Up Late! · Prarie Dawn / Zoe (Voice)
• 1993 Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years: A Musical Celebration! · Prairie Dawn
• 1993 Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration · Prarie Dawn (Voice)
• 1993 Muppet Sing Alongs: Billy Bunny's Animal Songs
• 1992 Dog City · Colleen (Voice), Terri (Voice)
• 1992 Getting Ready to Read · "OP" Family Song (Voice)
• 1991 Doug · Emily Kristal (Voice)
• 1991 Hyde in Hollywood · Betty Armstrong
• 1991 The Tale of Peter Rabbit · Bluejay / Sparrow (Voice)
• 1991 What About Bob? · Lily Marvin
• 1991 Sesame Street: Sing, Hoot & Howl with the Sesame Street Animals · Little Bird / Chicken (Voice)
• 1990 The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson · Additional Muppet Performer
• 1990 Law & Order · Sondra More, Leah Bartlett