03/05/2026
Sadly this has news been confirmed: OzCon is very sad to hear of the passing of the incredibly unique Lyle Conway, lead creature designer and the voice of the Gump in Disney’s Return to Oz, and known for his work on Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal and The Little Shop of Horrors, where he created the Audrey II puppet.
We were exceptionally blessed that Lyle chose to help kick-start OzCon in Burbank with our 40th-anniversary Return to Oz screening event at the Garry Marshall Theatre. He took part in a talkback session with our emcees from Down the Yellow Brick Pod, and he was also instrumental in helping us secure the use of the screen-used Tik-Tok from the original film props.
Lyle was a tad shy and uncomfortable with crowds, but he genuinely enjoyed talking with attendees. He came to the convention as an attendee himself, relishing quiet moments with Oz fans. Several of us have many fun quirky fond memories of him.
We feel extraordinarily blessed and privileged that he was part of OzCon last year, in what became his only Oz convention appearance.
All of us at OzCon International will hold those memories close and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Rest in peace, Lyle.
