Sid Krofft, 96, the eccentric co-creator of surreal children’s television like *H.R. Pufnstuf* and *Land of the Lost*, died on April 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. With his brother Marty, he crafted shows blending slapstick, psychedelic visuals, and adult humor, defying norms in 1960s-70s kids’ programming. Their work, though often short-lived in initial runs, gained cult status through reruns and cultural nostalgia.

The Kroffts’ business ventures extended beyond TV, including a puppet studio, amusement parks, and prime-time variety shows like *Donny & Marie*. Despite financial missteps—such as *Pufnstuf* exceeding its $1 million budget by a million—the duo thrived by embracing risk. Their philosophy, "When you’re nuts, you’ve got to go nuts all the way," fueled a legacy of creativity over convention.

*Land of the Lost*, their 1974 sci-fi series, featured stop-motion aliens and a linguist-crafted Pakuni language, aiming for *Star Trek*-level depth. The show’s 1990s reboot and 2009 film starring Will Ferrell underscored its enduring appeal. Meanwhile, *H.R. Pufnstuf*’s dragon mayor and witchiepoo became icons of 1970s kitsch.

Sid Krofft’s passing marks the end of an era for experimental children’s media. His work, often misunderstood as drug-influenced, was a deliberate rebellion against sterile TV. As *Pufnstuf* co-creator Billie Hayes noted, the shows offered "grown-up gags" that resonated across generations, cementing the Kroffts’ role as pioneers of unconventional entertainment.