Shari Lewis, the beloved puppeteer and ventriloquist best known for her creation Lamb Chop, left an indelible mark on children’s television. Despite her passing in 1998, her legacy lives on through her daughter, Mallory, who has revived Lamb Chop and her other beloved characters for a new generation.
Shari, born in New York City in 1933, gained recognition for her puppet skills after winning first prize on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts in 1952.
She introduced Lamb Chop on Captain Kangaroo in 1956, followed by other characters like Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy. Her own NBC series, The Shari Lewis Show, ran from 1960 to 1963.
Over the years, Shari continued to entertain audiences with Lamb Chop, leading to the PBS series Lamb Chop’s Play-Along in 1992.
@yourfavlambchop #sharilewisandlambchop #thesongthatdoesntend #puppetsoftiktok #nostalgia #lambchopsplayalong #momsover30 #lambchopdogtoy #storytime #momsoftiktok ♬ original sound – Mallory Lewis
Despite battling inoperable uterine cancer, she remained committed to her craft, even filming a final episode of The Charlie Horse Music Pizza. Shari passed away in August 1998, leaving behind a legacy of 12 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award.
@yourfavlambchop #lambchop #charliehorse #sharilewisandlambchop #thesongthatdoesntend #puppetsoftiktok #nostalgia #lambchopsplayalong #momsover30 #dadsoftiktok #question #magic #ventriloquist #spiritualtiktok ♬ original sound – Mallory Lewis
Mallory, Shari’s daughter, initially never imagined taking over her mother’s role.
@yourfavlambchop #sharilewisandlambchop #thesongthatdoesntend #puppetsoftiktok #nostalgia #lambchopsplayalong #momsover30 #lambchopdogtoy #storytime #momsoftiktok ♬ original sound – Mallory Lewis
However, encouraged by actor Dom DeLuise, Mallory found herself naturally channeling Lamb Chop after Shari’s passing. Since then, Mallory has toured the country with Lamb Chop, bringing joy to both children and adults.
Mallory’s presence on TikTok has also expanded Lamb Chop’s reach, garnering millions of views and connecting with audiences old and new. Mallory aims to continue her mother’s mission of spreading love and kindness to children, acknowledging Shari’s trailblazing role for women in the entertainment industry.
Despite DreamWorks owning the TV rights to the characters, Mallory hopes to bring Lamb Chop and her pals back to television someday. Meanwhile, Lamb Chop’s timeless charm continues to resonate, a testament to Shari’s enduring legacy and Mallory’s dedication to keeping the magic alive.