Toby Froud Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Movies & TV Shows

Tobias Matthew Froud, professionally known as Toby Froud, is an English-American artist, special effects designer, puppeteer, filmmaker, and performer. He gained early recognition as the infant “Toby” in Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth.

Building upon his family’s artistic legacy, Froud has established a distinguished career in puppetry and visual storytelling, contributing to acclaimed projects like The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and directing the award-winning short film Lessons Learned.

His work seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with modern visual effects, solidifying his reputation in the realm of fantasy filmmaking.

Profile

• Full Name: Tobias Matthew Froud
• Stage Name: Toby Froud
• Born: June 27, 1984
• Age: 40 years old
• Birthplace: Westminster, London, England
• Nationality: British-American
• Occupation: Artist, Special Effects Designer, Puppeteer, Filmmaker, Performer
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Brian Froud and Wendy Midener Froud
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Sarah Froud
• Children: Sebastian Froud
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: Approximately $5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Tobias Matthew Froud was born on June 27, 1984, in Westminster, London, England, to Brian Froud, a renowned fantasy illustrator, and Wendy Midener Froud, an accomplished puppet-maker. He is their only child.

Raised in Chagford, Devon, on the edge of Dartmoor, Froud was immersed in a creatively rich environment that nurtured his artistic inclinations from a young age. He pursued formal education in the arts, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Technical Arts and Special Effects from Wimbledon School of Art in 2006.

His ethnicity is Caucasian, and his religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Toby Froud’s career in the arts was influenced by his early exposure to the creative endeavors of his parents. At just one year old, he appeared as the baby “Toby” in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, a film his parents significantly contributed to—Brian as the conceptual designer and Wendy as a puppet builder.

This early experience sparked his interest in puppetry and special effects. In 1999, he apprenticed at the Muppet Workshop in New York, further honing his skills in puppet fabrication and performance.

Froud’s professional journey includes notable work at Weta Workshop in New Zealand, where he contributed as a sculptor and fabricator on films such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and King Kong in 2005. He later joined Laika, a stop-motion animation studio in Portland, Oregon, where he worked on acclaimed films including ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link.

In 2014, Froud wrote and directed Lessons Learned, a fantasy short film produced by Heather Henson, which showcased his unique blend of traditional puppetry and modern storytelling.

Currently, Froud continues to make significant contributions to the field of puppetry and special effects. He served as the design supervisor for Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a prequel to the original 1982 film his parents worked on. His role involved overseeing the creation of intricate puppets and sets, reflecting his commitment to preserving and advancing the art of practical effects in contemporary media.

Froud’s work remains influential in the fantasy genre, bridging the gap between traditional techniques and modern cinematic storytelling.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @tfroud

Personal Life

Toby Froud is married to Sarah Froud, and together they have a son named Sebastian. The family resides in Portland, Oregon, where Froud continues his work in the arts. He maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing on his family and creative pursuits.

Filmography

• Labyrinth (1986) – as Baby Toby
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) – Sculptor/Fabricator
• King Kong (2005) – Sculptor/Fabricator
• ParaNorman (2012) – Puppet Fabricator
• The Boxtrolls (2014) – Puppet Fabricator
• Lessons Learned (2014) – Writer/Director
• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) – Puppet Fabricator
• Missing Link (2019) – Puppet Fabricator
• The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019) – Design Supervisor

Net Worth

Toby Froud’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million USD. His wealth primarily stems from his extensive work in film and television as a special effects designer, puppeteer, and filmmaker. His contributions to high-profile projects and his role in preserving traditional puppetry techniques have solidified his financial success in the industry.