Long John Silver (Muppets)

Long John Silver is the ship's treacherous cook and the main antagonist in Muppet Treasure Island. He was portrayed by Tim Curry.

Role in the film
Long John befriends young Jim Hawkins. He even confessed one night that when he was eight, his father died at sea -- "first mate he was", after Jim tells him his own father (also a first mate) died at sea when he was seven. However, Long John is actually planning a mutiny amongst the crew of the Hispaniola, so as to seek Captain Flint's treasure himself. He is a deceptively charming man at first, until he is overheard by Gonzo, Rizzo and Jim as he reveals his dastardly plans to his fellow pirates aboard the Hispanola. At the end of the film, Long John makes off with whatever treasure he can in a lifeboat - but not before saying a rather touching goodbye to Jim Hawkins, where he declares he could "never hurt" Jim, because he is "honest and brave and true", something he himself isn't. Long John lost his right leg as the result of a cannonball in Madagascar. His feature solo number which resulted in the fellow pirates joining along was "A Professional Pirate". His fate is that his lifeboat was faulty and leaked. He had to swim to an island maroon for the rest of his life with an annoying talking Easter Island-looking, pig-nosed, head statue.

Trivia

 * Tim Curry has stated in several interviews that playing Long John Silver is one of his most favorite roles. He also said that he had always been a fan of the Muppets.