A Day in the Life: John Tartaglia, ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’s’ brilliant exec producer, actor, writer and puppet captain

November 19, 2025

The holidays are approaching and what better way to celebrate than watching a brand new Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock special “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock” on Apple TV on Dec. 5. This month, the show’s brilliant exec producer, actor, writer and puppet captain John Tartaglia (who stars as Gobo, Architect, Gunge, Barry Blueberry and Sprocket the Dog) shows us what a typical day is like in his amazing and super-busy life:

I start the day at home answering some emails with my personal assistant Dolly!

One of my first meetings of the day is hopping on a zoom with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop’s New York team, deciding on some designs for Fraggle Rock’s zen master Mokey. I love coming up with new looks for the Fraggles that still feel true to the magic and silliness they’ve had for the past 40 years! You might also notice a photo with my number one inspiration, Celine Dion, towards the bottom!

Next stop: Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in L.A.! Here I’m talking with creative director Pete Brooke about new puppet face molds for Ronald, the ever-curious pig in Wowsabout, a new project in development. You can also see the molds for his hedgehog pal Roxy on the table.

My next meeting of the day was yet another Zoom with the New York Creature Shop, but this time I’m joined by wonderful production manager Amy Smith as well as Red and Gobo Fraggle! I really love being the creative supervisor of this amazing legacy brand. From the upcoming Apple TV holiday special to the new collectibles, apparel, and books — we are constantly working on. It is a dream come true.

Here I’m finishing up some work in the Creature Shop’s conference room filled with Henson characters. This guy (the Chamberlain Skeksis from The Dark Crystal) always seems to be looking over my shoulder

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Heading back home with Dolly at the end of the day. As you can see, she loves the camera!