Burr Tillstrom was a puppeteer and the creator of Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

From 1947 through 1957, Tillstrom was involved with the Kukla, Fran and Ollie show, which starred his puppets and Fran Allison. It is widely regarded as being the first children’s show to appeal to both children and adults. With only a few exceptions, all of the shows were improvised.

Tillstrom, Kukla and Ollie reunited with Fran Allison to host the CBS Children's Film Festival from 1967 to 1977.

In 1970, Kukla, Fran and Ollie appeared on National Educational Television, taped at WTTW in Chicago, for two seasons.

In 1975, Kukla, Fran and Ollie began another run on television with 13 new episodes.

Tillstrom continued to work as a puppeteer with his Kuklapolitan Players until his death in Palm Springs, California.

Burr Tillstrom was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1986.