David Lazer started his career with Jim Henson in 1965. As an executive with IBM, he helped develop the Muppet Meeting Films commissioned by IBM. When he later joined Muppets Inc., producing meeting films became standard practice for the company.

Lazer served as executive producer for The Muppet Show where he also acted as a liaison for the show's guest stars. He would show the guest star how to walk on the elevated sets, how to speak to a Muppet (as opposed to the performer), and would make sure the star was comfortable with the very different production atmosphere.

From May to December of 1990, Lazer came out of semi-retirement to serve as acting CEO of Henson Associates.