Laurie Don, Former Jim Henson Co. Executive, Dies at 69

Laurie Don, a former executive vp and CFO of The Jim Henson Co., died Oct. 9 in Burbank, the company announced. She was 69. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Don had retired in February following a 20-year tenure overseeing the worldwide financial activities of the company, which included Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and the Henson Recording Studios as well as production, distribution and licensing.

Before joining Henson, she served as controller at Lucas Digital Ltd. (Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound).

Her résumé also included stints as controller at Tele-TV, director of financial controls at Warner Bros. Studio Facilities and positions at Deloitte and Touche, GTN Productions, Viacom and Paramount Studios.

“Beyond her remarkable financial and strategic expertise demonstrated over her 20 years here at The Jim Henson Co., Laurie’s contributions to our legacy also include lifting up the many colleagues she mentored, modeling leadership with kindness and fostering a work environment of joy,” Henson CEO Lisa Henson said in a statement.

Born on Sept. 17, 1954, and raised in Highland Park, Illinois, Don received a bachelor of arts degree in film studies from the University of Illinois in Champaign. She earned her first screen credit (on the 1982 documentary Say Amen, Somebody) while completing the course work for a master’s degree in cinematography from Columbia University.

Don received her accounting degree from Baruch College in New York and went on to earn her Certified Public Accountant designation while working with Deloitte and Touche. She traveled the world for work and fun and enjoyed skiing on the highest mountains in the U.S., Europe and South America.

Survivors include her partner, Deborah; her aunt, Frances; and her siblings, Marcia and Russell. A memorial service was held last week in Chicago.