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The Muppets

The Muppets are puppet characters created by Jim Henson. The characters include Kermit the Frog and the Muppet cast of Sesame Street. Jim Henson started work with the Muppets in the 1950s and continued until his death in 1990. The Muppets are known for an absurd burlesque and humorous style of variety-sketch comedy.

The Muppets are now owned by The Muppets Studio and The Walt Disney Company. The term "muppet" is trademarked and owned by The Walt Disney Company. Muppets used in Sesame Street are still called muppets at times, and have special permission to use that name from The Walt Disney Company.

Jim Henson said the name "muppet" came from combining the words "puppet" and "marionette," but he also said that he just liked the way the word sounded. Many of Jim Henson's muppets have large eyes, round noses, and large mouths that go from one end of the face to the other (almost ear to ear). Muppets are often made out of foam with felt on top. Puppeteers usually control the muppet with one hand in the head and the other hand controls the muppets arms. Sometimes the arms have a stick that is used to move the hand and arm - this is called the "arm rod." Puppeteers hold the arm rod at one end and the other end touches the muppet hand. Some muppets have hands that are gloves. Puppeteers put their hands in the gloves of these muppets so the muppet can move its fingers. For this reason, most muppets appear to favor their left hands.

Muppeteers and their characters

Main Muppeteers

  • Jim Henson - Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Ernie, The Swedish Chef, Dr. Teeth, Link Hogthrob, Guy Smiley, Bobo the Bear, Mahna Mahna, Waldorf, Two-Headed Monster (Left Head), Various
  • Frank Oz - Bert, Cookie Monster, Grover, Sam the Eagle, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Various
  • Jerry Nelson - Floyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, Gobo Fraggle, Emmet Otter, Count von Count, Marjory the Trash Heap, Lew Zealand, Pops, Uncle Deadly, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Herry Monster, Various
  • Richard Hunt - Scooter, Statler, Don Music, Gunge, Two-Headed Monster (Right Head), Gladys the Cow, Sweetums, Blue Frackle, Sonny Friendly, Bobby Benson, Wayne, Various
  • Eric Jacobson - Various
  • Steve Whitmire - Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Wembley Fraggle, Lips, Various
  • Fran Brill - Prairie Dawn, Zoe, Betty Lou, Little Bird, Various
  • Alice Dinnean - Miss Piggy, Sherry Netherland, Phoebe, Various
  • Julianne Buescher - Yolanda Rat, Janice, Sherry Netherland, Denise, Various
  • Ryan Dillon - Various
  • Stephanie D'Abruzzo - Curly Bear, Various
  • Bill Barretta - Various
  • David Rudman - Baby Bear, Mr. Johnson, Various
  • Joey Mazzarino - Various
  • Kevin Clash - Hoots the Owl, Various
  • Matt Vogel - 80's Robot, Constantine, Crazy Harry, Various
  • Martin P. Robinson - Telly Monster, Various
  • Leslie Carrara-Rudolph - Abby Cadabby, Various
  • Pam Arciero - Grundgetta, Various
  • Carmen Osbahr - Rosita
  • Jennifer Barnhart - Various
  • Peter Linz - Walter, Various
  • Noel MacNeal - Various
  • Tyler Bunch - Various
  • John Tartaglia - Phoebe, Various
  • John Kennedy - Various
  • Caroll Spinney as Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bruno the Trashman, Various

Media

Cast and characters in adaptations

Characters Films
The Muppet Movie
(1979) 		The Great Muppet Caper
(1981) 		The Muppets Take Manhattan
(1984) 		The Muppet Christmas Carol
(1992) 		Muppet Treasure Island
(1996) 		Muppets from Space
(1999) 		It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
(2002) 		The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
(2005) 		The Muppets
(2011) 		Muppets Most Wanted
(2014) 		Muppets Haunted Mansion
(2021)

Main characters (appear in all films)

Kermit the Frog Jim Henson
Miss Piggy Frank Oz Frank Oz (voice)
Kevin Clash (puppetry) 		Frank Oz (voice)
Peter Linz (puppetry) 		Eric Jacobson
Fozzie Bear Frank Oz Frank Oz (voice)
Kevin Clash (puppetry) 		Frank Oz (voice)
John Kennedy (puppetry) 		Eric Jacobson
The Great Gonzo Dave Goelz
Statler Richard Hunt Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice)
Steve Whitmire (puppetry) 		Steve Whitmire Peter Linz
Waldorf Jim Henson Dave Goelz
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew Dave Goelz
Beaker Richard Hunt Steve Whitmire David Rudman
The Swedish Chef Jim Henson David Rudman Bill Barretta
Sam the Eagle Frank Oz Frank Oz (voice)
Kevin Clash (puppetry) 		Frank Oz (voice)
John Kennedy (puppetry) 		Kevin Clash (voice)
John Kennedy (puppetry) 		Eric Jacobson
Animal Frank Oz Frank Oz (voice)
Kevin Clash (puppetry) 		Frank Oz (voice)
Rickey Boyd (puppetry) 		Eric Jacobson

Supporting characters (appear in more than one film)

Rowlf the Dog Jim Henson
Scooter Richard Hunt
Rizzo the Rat / Ballroom Rat Steve Whitmire Bruce Lanoil
Pepe the King Prawn Bill Barretta
Walter Peter Linz
Dr. Teeth Jim Henson
Floyd Pepper Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice) John Kennedy Matt Vogel
Janice Richard Hunt Brian Henson Tyler Bunch David Rudman
Zoot Dave Goelz Dave Goelz Dave Goelz
Lips Steve Whitmire Steve Whitmire Steve Whitmire Peter Linz
Robin the Frog Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice) Matt Vogel Peter Linz
Sweetums Richard Hunt John Henson Matt Vogel
Lew Zealand Jerry Nelson Bill Barretta Matt Vogel
Beauregard Dave Goelz Dave Goelz
Pops Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice) Matt Vogel
Crazy Harry Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Rickey Boyd Matt Vogel
Camilla the Chicken Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Alice Dinnean Matt Vogel
Marvin Suggs Frank Oz Eric Jacobson
Link Hogthrob Jim Henson Steve Whitmire
The Newsman Jim Henson Steve Whitmire
Bobo the Bear Bill Barretta
80's Robot Matt Vogel
Johnny Fiama Bill Barretta
Sal Minella Brian Henson
Bean Bunny Steve Whitmire Steve Whitmire
Miss Poogy David Rudman
Big Mean Carl Bill Barretta
Wayne David Rudman
Wanda Alice Dinnean (voice)
Mat Vogel (puppetry)

One-shot characters

Constantine Matt Vogel
Foo Foo Steve Whitmire
Bobby Benson David Rudman
Baby Boss Bill Barretta
Carlo Flamingo Bill Barretta
Manolo Flamingo Peter Linz
Leprechaun Security Guard Bill Barretta
Foozie Tyler Bunch
Kermoot Dave Goelz
Roowlf Matt Vogel
Janooce Matt Vogel
Joe Snow Mel Brooks (voice)
Allan Trautman (puppetry)
Clifford Kevin Clash
Dr. Phil van Neuter Brian Henson
Bubba the Rat Bill Barretta
The Birdman Dave Goelz
Ubergonzo Jerry Nelson
Cosmic Fish #1 Steve Whitmire
Cosmic Fish #2 Bill Barretta
Blind Pew Jerry Nelson
Black Dog Kevin Clash
Spa'am Kevin Clash
Bad Polly Kevin Clash
Mad Monty Jerry Nelson
Clueless Morgan Bill Barretta
Ghost of Christmas Past Jessica Fox (voice)
Rob Tygner, Karen Prell, William Todd-Jones(puppetry)
Ghost of Christmas Present Jerry Nelson (voice)
Don Austen (puppetry)
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Don Austen, Rob Tygner (puppetry)
Emily 'Ma' Bear Jerry Nelson
Old Joe David Shaw Parker (voice)
David Rudman (puppetry)
Peter Cratchit David Rudman
Betina Cratchit Dave Goelz
Belinda Cratchit Steve Whitmire
Chester Rat Dave Goelz
Masterson Rat Bruce Edward Hall
Tatooey Rat Brian Muehl
Yolanda Rat Karen Prell
Beth Bear Bruce Edward Hall
Bill (frog) Dave Goelz
Gil (frog) Steve Whitmire
Jill (frog) Kathryn Mullen
Ernie Jim Henson
Bert Frank Oz
Cookie Monster Frank Oz
Oscar the Grouch Caroll Spinney
Big Bird Caroll Spinney

Discography

  • Opening themes
    • "The Muppet Show Theme" (1976-2022)
    • "Rock On" (2023)
  • Closing themes
    • "The Muppet Show Theme" (instrumental) (1976-2022) (except 2011)
    • "The Rainbow Connection" (1979, 1986, 2001 and 2015 only)
    • "Mahna Mahna" (2011 only)
    • "Bright" (2015 only)
    • "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" (2016 only)
    • "The Muppets Mayhem End Credits" (2023)

The Muppets Media

Other websites

  1. REDIRECT Template:The Muppets
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