A system for externally actuating an animatronic figure. The system including a first robotic mechanism configured as a remote center mechanism for rotating a first rod about a first remote center point. The first rod is attached to a first driven part of the figure with the first remote center point spaced apart from the figure. The system includes a second robotic mechanism rotating a second rod about a second remote center point. The second rod is attached to the second driven part of the animatronic figure, and the second remote center point is spaced apart from the animatronic figure. The system includes a third robotic mechanism rotating a third rod about a remote center point, with the third rod attached to a third driven part of the figure, and the three robotic mechanisms are concurrently operable via a computer-based controller to provide the figure with twenty-one degrees of freedom.