Disneyland Puppet Designer John Leland Passes Away at 91

Charly Shelton

John Leland at Bob Baker Marionette Theatre

Disneyland Puppet Designer John Leland Passes Away at 91

John Leland has passed away at the age of 91. A puppet master and designer of marionettes, Leland notably helped bring the Main Street Emporium marionette window displays to life at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well as designing puppets and scenery for theme park shows including “Sketchbook Revue” and “Holiday Spectacular.”

John Leland at Bob Baker Marionette Theatre
Courtesy of Bob Baker Marionette Theater

He was also a founding member of the Los Angeles Bob Baker Marionette theatre. He passed away at a nursing home in Ventura, CA, on Thursday.