List of Muppets: Difference between revisions

The Muppets are an ensemble group of comedic puppet characters originally created by Jim Henson. The Muppets have appeared in multiple television series, films, and other media appearances since the 1950s. The majority of the characters listed here originated on The Muppet Show, a television series that aired from 1976 to 1981. Since then, several more characters have been introduced in other television series, as well as theatrical films.

The first Muppet characters appeared in Sam and Friends, a Washington, D.C.–based show which was broadcast from 1955 to 1961. Kermit the Frog was one of the show's regulars, and thus was one of Henson's first Muppet creations.^[1] The characters became a household name after their appearance in the children's television program Sesame Street.^[1] Henson was initially reluctant to become involved with Sesame Street because he feared being pigeon-holed as a children's performer, but agreed to work on the show to further his social goals.^[2]: 5 The characters created for that series are now owned by Sesame Workshop, the producers of Sesame Street, and are now considered a separate franchise.

These characters have been owned by The Muppets Studio, a division of The Walt Disney Company, since when Disney acquired the characters from The Jim Henson Company in 2004.

Main characters

Kermit the Frog

• Performed by Jim Henson (1955–1990), Steve Whitmire (1990–2016), Matt Vogel (2017–present)

A pragmatic frog who is the straight man protagonist and de facto leader of the Muppets. Created by Jim Henson and introduced in 1955 on Sam and Friends, Kermit quickly became the de facto face of the early franchise, including regularly appearing on Sesame Street, sometimes as a reporter. He starred on The Muppet Show, as the showrunner, responsible for managing the show's production, and has appeared in every Muppet-branded production since.

Jim Henson was Kermit's performer from his debut until Henson's death in 1990. Steve Whitmire assumed the role and continued to perform Kermit until 2016.^[3] Matt Vogel replaced Whitmire in 2017.^[4]

Miss Piggy

• Performed by Frank Oz (1976–2002), Eric Jacobson (2001–present)

A temperamental diva pig who is the Muppets' break-out and "authentic superstar".^[1]: 28 Until 2015, she was the romantic significant other of Kermit.^[5][6] Authors Maryanne Fisher and Anthony Cox call Piggy "uniquely strong and feminine", but "domineering and demanding." She was designed and built by Bonnie Erickson. Debuted in a 1974 Herb Alpert television special, where she was performed by Jerry Nelson.^[7] She is Oz's best-known character.^[8]: 103

Fozzie Bear

• Performed by Frank Oz (1976–2000), Eric Jacobson (2002–present)

An insecure, stand-up comic bear introduced in The Muppet Show. Fozzie's characterization was created by Frank Oz, who performed the character from his debut in 1976 until Oz's retirement in 2000. Eric Jacobson has performed the character since then.^[9] Finch calls Fozzie "a sweetly insecure and absolutely terrible comedian". According to Oz, Fozzie is such a bad comedian that he "can't afford good joke writers, and he can't write good jokes himself but still a good character". He was designed by Michael K. Frith.^[8]: 102

Gonzo (The Great Gonzo)

• Performed by Dave Goelz

An eccentric, hooked-nosed stunt performance enthusiast who debuted in The Great Santa Claus Switch as the Cigar Box Frackle. Gonzo's species was originally unknown. In past Muppets films and series, he was called a "whatever" and in Muppet Babies, Gonzo was known as a weirdo. In Muppets from Space, Gonzo was finally revealed to be an alien. He was created by Dave Goelz, who has performed Gonzo since his inception.

Rowlf the Dog

• Performed by Jim Henson (1962–1990), Bill Barretta (1996–present)

An easygoing

• Performed by Richard Hunt (1976–1991), Adam Hunt (voice only, 1999), Matt Vogel (2000), Brian Henson (2002–2003), Rickey Boyd (2005), David Rudman (2008–present)

The loyal

• Performed by Frank Oz (1975–2000), Eric Jacobson (2002–present)

The wild, frenzied monster drummer for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Author Christopher Finch calls Animal "the ultimate representation of a long line of Muppets who personify unbridled appetite",^[8]: 103 both "carnivorous beast" and "physical manifestation of pure libido." He was designed by Jim Henson and built by Dave Goelz. Debuted in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.^[1]: 77

Pepe the King Prawn

• Performed by Bill Barretta

A scheming and sassy Latino king prawn.^[11] Introduced in Muppets Tonight, he and Seymour would often work as elevator operator and commissary cooks. His first theatrical film appearance was in Muppets from Space. Pepe became the spokesman of restaurant chain Long John Silver's in 2002.

Rizzo the Rat

• Performed by Steve Whitmire (1980–2016)

A sly and witty brown rat from the inner city, that Whitmire describes as "a sarcastic kind of New York City character"; debuted in season four.^[12]: 80

Walter

• Performed by Peter Linz

A shy, soft-voiced human-like Muppet and obsessive fan of the Muppets. Introduced in the film The Muppets (2011), Walter is the younger brother of Gary (Jason Segel) in the film. Along with Gary and his girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), Walter assists Kermit in reuniting the Muppets as an effort to raise enough money to regain control of the Muppet Theater from oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper). After his successful contributions to the telethon with his lauded whistling act, Walter is accepted as a member of the Muppet ensemble. Walter returns in Muppets Most Wanted (2014), where he is instrumental in discovering Constantine's intentions and in rescuing Kermit.

Supporting characters

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem

A rock

• Performed by Dave Goelz

An inventive, yet

• Performed by Richard Hunt (1977–1991), Steve Whitmire (1992–2016), David Rudman (2017–present)

A hapless lab assistant to Bunsen, who performs ill-fated experiments which often result in him getting seriously injured. He was designed by Jim Henson and built by Don Sahlin. Beaker debuted in the second season of The Muppet Show.^{[13]: 96–97}

Sam Eagle

• Performed by Frank Oz (1975–2000), Kevin Clash (2002–2003), Eric Jacobson (2005–present)

A patriotic

• Statler: Performed by Richard Hunt (1976–1991), Jerry Nelson (1975, 1992–2003), Steve Whitmire (2002–2016), Peter Linz (2017–present)
• Waldorf: Performed by Jim Henson (1975–1990), Dave Goelz (1992–present)

Two elderly and grumpy gentlemen who constantly heckle the Muppets from the audience, specifically from an upper balcony box on The Muppet Show.^[15]: 40 Statler and Waldorf were named after two New York City hotels; the Statler Hilton and the Waldorf-Astoria. They were designed and built by Bonnie Erickson. Debuted in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.^{[15]: 43–44}

The Swedish Chef

• Performed by Jim Henson (1975–1990), David Rudman (1992), Bill Barretta (1996–present)

A chef that speaks in mock Swedish. Based on the "standard finger puppet",^[16]: 77 the Swedish Chef was originally a dual collaboration between Jim Henson and Frank Oz, who provided the hands. Oz would deliberately do unexpected things, like tossing chickens and juggling meat cleavers, that Henson would have to improvise through. He was designed by Michael K. Frith and built by Henson and Bonnie Erickson. Debuted in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.^[8]: 102

Camilla the Chicken

• Performed by Jerry Nelson (1978–2007), Alice Dinnean (2005), Matt Vogel (2008–present)

Camilla the Chicken is the female chicken that is Gonzo's longtime love interest on The Muppet Show. This chicken with hay fever was performed by veteran Muppet performer, Jerry Nelson, and is seen frequently on The Muppet Show, but also makes appearances on the various full-length Muppet movies such as The Muppets Take Manhattan where she hyperventilates after attacking a villain and needs "mouth-to-beak resuscitation", and The Muppet Movie as Gonzo's plumber girl and is in the back of the car for the whole movie. She also appeared in TV specials such as A Muppet Family Christmas where she is seduced by the turkey who was invited to the family gathering by the Swedish Chef.

On Muppet Babies, Camilla was Baby Gonzo's stuffed yellow chicken doll. She was voiced by Frank Welker, and subsequently Dave Coulier and Russi Taylor when she came to life in Gonzo's imagination.

Camilla appears as Gonzo's business partner in the 2011 film

• Performed by Bill Barretta

Bobo the Bear is an imposing yet easily amused and befuddled brown bear. He is notable as a more realistic but still anthropomorphic portrayal of a bear, compared to the stylized appearance of Fozzie Bear. Bobo has been in several Muppet films as a major character and others as just a background character. One of his appearances was on Muppets Tonight as the security guard, where he was a seemingly clever and lovable character, with his tagline of "Have a good day, sir!". His character in Muppets from Space was named Renfro. The character appeared in the television special A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, appearing alongside Nathan Lane as a pair of airport security personnel.

In

In the television series The Muppets, he plays a key role as the stage manager for the talk show Up Late with Miss Piggy.

Uncle Deadly

• Performed by Jerry Nelson (1976–1996), Matt Vogel (2011–present)

Uncle Deadly is a sinister-looking, blue dragon-like monster who lurks around the Muppet Theater. He was originally performed by Jerry Nelson on The Muppet Show. In his first full part on the show, in episode 121, he was known as "the Phantom of the Muppet Show". Although he made his first appearance alongside Vincent Price on episode 119 of The Muppet Show, Uncle Deadly did not receive his proper introduction until episode 121. One by one, the Muppets tell Kermit the Frog that they have seen a phantom, but Kermit refuses to believe them until he sees Uncle Deadly with his own eyes. Once revealed, Uncle Deadly explains that he used to perform at the Muppet Theater, where he played Othello until he was killed...by the critics. Uncle Deadly sang a handful of songs on the show, including singing a bar of "You're Just in Love" with Ethel Merman and "Sheik of Araby", and performed in the Muppet Melodrama sketches with Miss Piggy and Wayne in season three. Although he did not have a major role in any of the Henson-helmed Muppet movies, Uncle Deadly did appear in the final group scenes at the end of The Muppet Movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan. He also appeared on The Tonight Show in 1979 when Kermit hosted.

Uncle Deadly made his first appearance in over 20 years in

In the 2015 TV series, Uncle Deadly is Miss Piggy's wardrobe supervisor and plays a featured part in the show, a role he continues in Muppets Now and the live shows the Muppets performed at the Hollywood Bowl and the O2 Arena. On the Muppets' YouTube page, Uncle Deadly is the host of its "Muppet Thought of the Week" segment where he also contributed some thoughts.

Minor characters

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Beauregard

• Performed by Dave Goelz

Beauregard is the Muppets' backstage janitor and stagehand of indeterminate species. Debuting in season three of The Muppet Show, Beauregard originally wore a gray jacket over his plaid shirt, but in the fourth season, he stopped wearing the jacket. It is revealed in The Muppet Show On Tour that he calls his mop "Belleregard." Beaker occasionally assists Beauregard with stagehand duties. He tries to be helpful, but his dimwitted efforts frequently result in disaster. His slow wit is often preyed upon by other characters who use him to their own purposes. He has a characteristic blink and often turns to the camera and says, "Right". Beauregard has superhuman strength, which is illustrated by his ability to effortlessly lift and carry around objects that are far too heavy to carry, such as an anvil, couch or piano.

Beauregard appeared on the stage in various sketches and skits. Other times, Beauregard appears accidentally on stage during productions, still working on the props until he realizes that he is intruding and must either rush out of sight or attempt to blend in with the action. However, Beauregard was more comfortable backstage.

Beauregard also appeared in

The Newsman

• Performed by Jim Henson (1976–1990), Richard Hunt (1981), Jerry Nelson (1996), Brian Henson (2001–2003), Steve Whitmire (2008–2016), Eric Jacobson (2017–present)

The Newsman is the bespectacled newsman for The Muppet Show, who tries to deliver the news with accuracy, but is visibly flummoxed on camera by the day's latest bizarre story or interview. Interviews were a more common part of the Muppet News Flash segments in its first season, where the interviewees were portrayed by the show's guest star. From the second season onward, he would almost invariably suffer some calamity related to the story, such as having items dropped on his head or the newsroom destroyed.

Pops

• Performed by Jerry Nelson (1980–2002), Matt Vogel (2011–present)

Pops is an elderly doorman at the Muppet Theater in The Muppet Show. He greeted the week's guest star in every episode of the fifth season. He also had a major part as the innkeeper of the Happiness Hotel in The Great Muppet Caper. Since then, he has only made a couple of cameo appearances.

Robin the Frog

• Performed by Jerry Nelson (1971–2008), Matt Vogel (2008–2017), Peter Linz (2017–present)

Robin the Frog is Kermit's young, sweet-voiced

Robin's roles in the Muppet movies varied from cameos to large roles, though he significantly has not appeared in a large amount of Muppet movies. In The Muppet Movie (1979), he had a small role at the beginning of the movie at the film screening where he asks Kermit if the movie is about how the Muppets got started. He also had a few other quick scenes and is with the other Muppets in the finale. In the TV special John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979) Robin helps sing many of the Christmas Carols with the other Muppets and John Denver. In the TV movie Rocky Mountain Holiday (1982) Robin plays a more major role as he tries to help out as a Frog Scout and bonds with John Denver through the process. In The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), he only appeared in the background at the wedding.

Robin played the role of

• Performed by Carl Banas (1971), Richard Hunt (1976–1991), John Henson (1991, 1996–2005), Noel MacNeal (2008), Matt Vogel (2009–present)

Sweetums is a very large, imposing and hairy ogre about nine feet tall. Despite appearing physically intimidating, he is often depicted as friendly and harmless. Sweetums has very thick blondish-brown hair all over his body. He has a very large lower jaw, similar to a bulldog, which juts out, revealing two pointy tusk-like teeth. He has thick, brown eyebrows over his large yellow eyes and large nose. He often wears a shabby, burlap-like brown shirt. Many are fooled by his intimidating appearance, but he is very nice and humble, hence his name, "Sweetums".

Sweetums first appeared on the television special

Frackles are a classification of Muppet

Penguins

The Muppet version of the Penguins are often seen in various Muppet productions.

While most of them are nameless, there had been some known Penguins that were named:

• Gloria Estefan Penguin (performed by Peter Linz^[24]) – A Magellanic penguin chick who has a fondness for drinking martinis that debuts in the TV series The Muppets. Gloria was adopted by Miss Piggy during her trip to Argentina and quickly forms a bond with Uncle Deadly.
• Nicky Napoleon (performed by James Kroupa) – A penguin from Muppet*Vision 3D and Little Muppet Monsters who is the leader of the band Nicky Napoleon and His Emperor Penguins.
• Winky Pinkerton (performed by Steve Whitmire in the "Loretta Lynn" episode) – A penguin who does bird impressions and is the first known Penguin to appear in The Muppet Show before the generic Penguins came into view. He was built by Brian Henson.

The 2018 version of Muppet Babies introduced Summer Penguin (voiced by Jessica DiCicco) who is the Muppet Babies' residential artist and the shortest of the group.

Whatnots

The Whatnots are Muppets