Maria Perego, Who Created The Mouse Puppet Topo Gigio, Has Died At 95

Perego was an Italian puppeteer who came up with the 10-inch tall mouse puppet/marionette in the 1950s – and then the Ed Sullivan Show came calling, and calling, and calling. Of the puppet’s numerous appearances on the show, Perego said, “My puppet not only entered Americans’ households, I believe he also entered their hearts.” – The New York Times