Hi, I’m Artie Esposito! I’m a freelance puppet builder, puppeteer, puppetry consultant, and plush toy maker with almost 30 years in the business. With an incredible work ethic, a keen eye for detail, and a remarkable record of successful projects, I can help make your puppet dreams a reality. Take a look at my work and see how I can help bring your project to life!
CUSTOM PUPPETS
I’ve been building professional quality puppets for over 25 years. My specialties lie in foam fabrication and carving, and I can create anything from simple hand & rod puppets, to full body (bunraku style) puppets, to mechanical puppets. I’ve built for all of the major puppet companies like Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Swazzle Puppet Studio, Chiodo Bros. Productions, and my work has been featured in major motion pictures, hit television shows, and even on Broadway & London’s West End. Let me build your next custom puppet today!
PROFESSIONAL PUPPETEER
I’ve puppeteered on some of the biggest puppet productions of the past few decades! I can perform anything from hand & rod puppets, to radio controlled & mechanical puppets, to full-body puppets, to walk around suits. You can see my work in projects like Disney’s The Jungle Book, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Crank Yankers, and even classics like Sesame Street and The Muppets! In addition, I can help you find the other puppeteers to round out your cast. Book me today to bring your characters to life!
PUPPETRY DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT
I’ve been a Puppetry Director / Captain as well as a Creative Consultant and Liaison for some of the most prestigious entertainment companies in the world. You can see my efforts in projects from Disney Theatrical Productions, Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Pictures, Netflix and more! I’ve helped lead their teams of performers and builders, and guided their creators, producers and directors through the complex world of puppetry ensuring that they get the best results while remaining on-time and within budget! Consider contacting me to set your puppet project on the right path!
PLUSH PROTOTYPES
As the co-owner of a plush toy company for a number of years, I have had plush products on shelves in hundreds of stores nationwide. Part of that entailed traveling back and forth to China, meeting with factories, and overseeing production. I can help you design and prototype your characters, supplying you with a finished plush & patterns to reproduce it! Let me help you make your plush characters a reality.
ABOUT ARTIE…
Artie Esposito is an award-winning puppeteer and puppet builder who has worked in the industry for almost 30 years. He has over 100 performing credits to his name, encompassing television, stage and screen. In 2009, he was honored to be chosen to understudy the role of Kermit the Frog and has performed him in a number of high-profile appearances and on the Broadway stage. Recently, he was both Puppet Captain and the puppeteer behind Freddy Fazbear and Golden Freddy in Blumhouse’s live-action Five Nights at Freddy’s film. As a builder, Artie has had a hand in creating some of the most recognized puppet characters around, including the stars of The Muppets, The Dark Crystal, The Pee-wee Herman Show, and The Simpsons. Artie is the co-creator of The Coffee Bean Bears, a group of plush characters which were sold in gift stores nationwide. In addition, he is the co-writer of Merry Christmas, Krampus, a children’s book which is currently being developed into a Christmas special. Artie is based in Los Angeles, California.