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Some of the characters actually debuted in ''The Jim Henson Hour''.
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! scope= "row"| [[Pops (Muppet)|Pops]]
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|colspan="2"|The Muppet Theatre [[Doorman (profession)|doorman]].<ref name="finch2-119"/>
|colspan="2"|The Muppet Theatre [[Doorman (profession)|doorman]].<ref name="finch2-119"/>
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Revision as of 16:52, 3 September 2012

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, in 1989.

The Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson. 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] The first Muppet characters appeared as early as 1955, in Sam and Friends, a Washington, D.C.-based show that was on the air for eight years. Kermit the Frog was one of the show's regulars, and one of Henson's first Muppet creations.[1]

By the early 1970s, Henson began to think seriously about the possibility of a network series for adults featuring the Muppets.[3] The characters appeared on the comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live in 1975, and by 1976, The Muppet Show, which was produced in London, began to air in syndication. Henson and his associates created additional characters for subsequent projects, which included television shows, movies, and programs for the internet.

Characters that appeared on The Muppet Show

Many of the characters who appeared on The Muppet Show have previously appeared in earlier productions in various ways.

Character Actor/Muppeteer Description
Animal Frank Oz (1976-2001),[4] Eric Jacobson (2001-Present)[5] Author Christopher Finch calls Animal "the ultimate representation of a long line of Muppets who personify unbridled appetite".[4] Animal is both "carnivorous beast" and "physical manifestation of pure libido".[6]
Beaker Richard Hunt (1976-1992), Steve Whitmire (1992-Present) Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's lab assistant, who performs "ill-fated" experiments, which often results in him getting blown up, eaten, or knocked over.[7]
Beauregard Dave Goelz[8] "Sweet but dim-witted" stagehand of the Muppet Theater.[8] Goelz called him "big and strong and clumsy".[9]
Camilla the Chicken Jerry Nelson (1976-2001), Alice Dinnean (2005), Matt Vogel (2008-Present) A chicken who is Gonzo's girlfriend.[10]
Crazy Harry Jerry Nelson (1976-2001),[11] Matt Vogel (2008-Present Crazed Muppet pyrotechnician who likes to blow up things.
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew Dave Goelz[12] A scientist who is often paired with and serves as a foil for Beaker.[13] Bunsen performs science experiments that usually go wrong, and has an "affable cluelessness".[7]
Dr. Julius Strangepork Jerry Nelson (1976-2001)[11] Matt Vogel (2011-Present) A pig who appeared in "Pigs in Space" sketches with Link Hogthrob and Miss Piggy where he was a chief science officer.[14]
Dr. Teeth Jim Henson (1976-1990), John Kennedy (1990-2001), Bill Barretta (2001-Present) Leader of the Electric Mayhem and keyboardist. He is based upon New Orleans singer and pianist Doctor John.[15]
Floyd Pepper Jerry Nelson (1976-2001),[11] Matt Vogel (2008-Present) Member of the Electric Mayhem and bassist. Author Christopher Finch says that Floyd is most like Nelson, and if there were a spin-off of The Muppet Show centering on his band, Floyd "would probably emerge as the central figure".[16]
Foo-Foo Steve Whitmire[17] Miss Piggy's dog. Also appears as a real dog in full shots.[17]
Fozzie Bear Frank Oz (1976-2001),[15] Eric Jacobson[5] (2001-Present) Muppet Theater's comedian bear that can never make any good jokes. Finch calls Fozzie "a sweetly insecure and absolutely terrible comedian".[15] 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".
George the Janitor Frank Oz (1976), Steve Whitmire (1996) A janitor who appeared in the first Muppet show pilot. Discovered, with guest star Mia Farrow's help, that he loved his mop.[18]
Gonzo the Great Dave Goelz[13] Muppet Theatre's stuntman who believes that all his stunts are works of art. Haberkorn calls Gonzo "the most grotesque Muppet", who revels in being different and resists categorization.[19]
Janice Richard Hunt (1976-1992),[20], Brian Henson (2002), Tyler Bunch (2005), David Rudman (2008-Present) The hippie-like member of the Electric Mayhem and guitarist.
Kermit the Frog Jim Henson (1955-1990),[21] Steve Whitmire (1990-Present)[5] A frog who is the Muppet Theater's director and Jim Henson's greatest creation. Author Michael Davis calls Kermit Henson's "altered ego", and Finch claims that Kermit is most like Henson. Finch also says, "Reasonably even-tempered and often long-suffering, the small green frog generally serves as the glue that holds the rest of the Muppet universe together".[22] Kermit has been around since Jim Henson's 1955 series Sam and Friends.
Lew Zealand Jerry Nelson (1976-2001),[11] Matt Vogel (2008-Present) The Muppet whose "vaudeville-inspired act" included throwing "boomerang fish" at the audience. He was originally a Whatnot before a permanent puppet was made for him.
Link Hogthrob Jim Henson (1976-Present),[15] Steve Whitmire (2001-Present) A "bumb, pompous"[15] pig who appeared in the sketches "Bear on Patrol" and "Pigs in Space".[14]
Lips Steve Whitmire An additional member of the Electric Mayhem and trumpet player.
Marvin Suggs Frank Oz (1976)[4], Eric Jacobson (2011-Present) Finch calls Marvin one of Oz's "more unusual creations"; Marvin plays the Muppaphones (small, round, little balls of fur) by hitting them over the head with a mallet.[4]
Miss Piggy Frank Oz (1976-2001),[4] Eric Jacobson (2001-Present)[5] The Muppet Show's break-out and "authentic superstar",[23] and Oz's most well-known character,[4] authors Maryanne Fisher and Anthony Cox call Piggy "uniquely strong and feminine", and but "domineering and demanding".[24]
Pops Jerry Nelson (1976-2001), Matt Vogel (2011-present) The Muppet Theatre doorman.[25]
Rizzo the Rat Steve Whitmire An inner-city rat. Whitmire describes Rizzo as "a sarcastic kind of New York character".[26]
Robin the Frog Jerry Nelson (1976-2001),[27] Matt Vogel (2008-Present) A small frog who is Kermit's "sweet-voiced nephew".[28]
Rowlf the Dog Jim Henson (1963-1990),[29] Bill Barretta (1996-Present) A pianist dog]]. First appearing in The Jimmy Dean Show, Finch calls Rowlf "the first fully rounded character performed by Jim Henson". Finch also calls him "wonderfully down-to-earth, with a dry, self-deprecating sense of humor" and "a master of the double take".[30]
Sam the Eagle Frank Oz (1976-2001),[31] Kevin Clash (2002), Eric Jacobson[5] An eagle who is the Muppet Theater's patriotic and self-proclaimed delegator. Critic Jordan Schildcrout describes Sam as "a cross between Uncle Sam and America's national bird with a dash of Richard Nixon, [who] represents a conservative, nationalist Puritanism that makes him a snob and a prude".[32]
Scooter Richard Hunt (1976-1992),[33], Adam Hunt (voice, 1999), Brian Henson (2002), Rickey Boyd (2005), David Rudman (2008-Present) Gofer of the Muppet Theater and nephew of its owner J.P. Grosse. Hunt based Scooter's voice and personality on how he remembered himself when he was younger.[20]
Statler and Waldorf Statler: Richard Hunt (1976-1990),[20], Jerry Nelson (1990-2001) Steve Whitmire (2005-Present)[34]
Waldorf: Jim Henson (1976-1990),[15] Dave Goelz (1990-Present)[34] 		Two "grouchy but dapper"[35] gentlemen who heckle the Muppets, especially Fozzie, from the upper balcony box. They're named after the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century robber barons E.M. Statler and William Waldorf Astor.[36]
The Swedish Chef Jim Henson (1976-1990), David Rudman (1992), Dave Goelz (1999), Bill Barretta (1996-Present)[37] A chef that speaks in Mock Swedish. Based on the "standard finger puppet",[38] the Chef was a collaboration between Jim Henson Henson and Frank Oz (who provided the hands of the Swedish Chef). Frank Oz would deliberately do unexpected things, like tossing chickens and juggling meat cleavers, that Henson would have to improvise through.[15]
Sweetums Jerry Nelson (1971, performer), Carl Banas (1971, voice), Richard Hunt (1976-1990)[20], Rob Mills (1989), John Henson (1990-2005), Victor Yerrid (2005), Noel MacNeal (2008), Matt Vogel (2012) A large, hairy, full-sized ogre-like Muppet who appeared in The Frog Prince before his appearance in The Muppet Show. He told Kermit, "Jack not name; Jack job!" in The Muppet Movie.[39] His performer could see only by looking out of his mouth.[40]
The Muppet Newsman Jim Henson (1976-1989), Brian Henson (2001-2003), Steve Whitmire (2008-Present) A bespectacled newsman who hosts the Muppet News Flash where something related to what he is reporting on befalls him.
Uncle Deadly Jerry Nelson (1976-1978), Matt Vogel (2011) Also called "the Phantom of the Muppet Show", Uncle Deadly is a sinister blue dragon-like character who lurks around the theatre and appears occasionally on the show.
Zoot Dave Goelz[33] A member of the Electric Mayhem and saxophone player, Dave Goelz calls Zoot "a puzzle to me". Zoot is "non-verbal" and "just a fifty-year-old burnt-out musician".[20]

Characters Introduced in The Muppets Take Manhattan

Character Actor/Muppeteer Description
Bill the Frog Dave Goelz He along with Gil and Jill are the only adult Muppet frogs besides Kermit. Bill is the only frog with ears.[41]
Chester the Rat Dave Goelz A rat who is one of Rizzo's friends.
Gil the Frog Steve Whitmire He along with Bill and Jill are the only adult Muppet frogs besides Kermit.[41]
Jill the Frog Kathryn Mullen She is the only female frog in the Muppet universe.[41][42]
Masterson the Rat Bruce Edward Hall A rat who is one of Rizzo's friends.[41]
Tatooey the Rat Brian Muehl A rat with an anchor tattoo on his chest who is one of Rizzo's friends.[41]
Yolanda the Rat Karen Prell (1984), Camille Bonora (1988), Julianne Buescher (1994), Alice Dinnean (2010) A female rat who is one of Rizzo's friends.[41]

Characters that first appeared in The Jim Henson Hour

Character Actor/Muppeteer Description
Bean Bunny Steve Whitmire A rabbit who first appeared in the HBO special The Tale of the Bunny Picnic,as the main character. Also appeared in Muppet Babies, the Disney theme park attraction Muppet*Vision 3D,[43] The Jim Henson Hour, and almost every Muppet movie after The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Beard Jerry Nelson The long-beared guitar player of Solid Foam.[44]
Chip Gord Robertson A nerdy technician who worked at Gorilla Television. Chip later made appearances in Muppets Tonight and Muppets from Space[44]
Clifford Kevin Clash[45] Clifford plays the bass in Solid Foam and wears his hair in thick dreadlocks. He speaks in a slow, "bourbon-mellow voice"[46] and has a laid-back personality. Clifford appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1990, in what was Jim Henson's final televised interview.[47][48] Clifford later became the host of Muppets Tonight.[44]
Digit Dave Goelz The semi-robotic technical director of MuppeTelevision and keyboard player of Solid Foam.[44]
Flash Steve Whitmire The saxophone player of Solid Foam.
Jacques Roach Steve Whitmire A French-accented cockroach. He would often play a French chef competing against Swedish Chef.[44]
Leon Kevin Clash A pink lizard that is prone to pulling Gonzo into his schemes.[44]
Lindbergh Gord Robertson A kiwi that serves as the maintenance man on MuppeTelevision.[44]
Ubu Bob Stutt (1st Time), Rob Mills (2nd Time) A blue gorilla that runs Gorilla Television.[44]
Vicki Fran Brill A young assistant of Kermit the Frog at MuppeTelevision.[44]
Waldo C. Graphic Steve Whitmire A computer-generated puppet who appeared in Muppet*Vision 3D and The Jim Henson Hour. He is described as a cross between a bug and a seal and is the first computer-generated Muppet.[49]
Zonda Fran Brill A gothic woman that worked at Gorilla Television.[44]

Characters that first appeared in Muppets Tonight

Character Actor/Muppeteer Description
Bobo the Bear Bill Barretta Realistic looking bear-Muppet. In an episode of Muppets Tonight, Bobo fell in love with and won the heart of guest star Cindy Crawford.[50]
Johnny Fiama Bill Barretta Patterned after Frank Sinatra, Johnny is often seen with his bodyguard Sal Minella. He's a big Tony Bennett fan.[51]
Pepe the King Prawn Bill Barretta Pepe is a "scheming and sassy"[52] king prawn. In 2002, he was the spokesman of restaurant chain Long John Silver's.
Mr. Poodlepants Steve Whitmire First appeared in episode 103 (guest star Billy Crystal) opposite Sam the Eagle in a "political" sketch.[53]
Sal Minella Brian Henson Sidekick and vest-wearing chimpanzee bodyguard of Johnny Fiama. In episode 105, Sal falls in love with Johnny after being struck by one of Cupid's arrows.[50]
Seymour Brian Henson An elephant that was often paired with Pepe.

Characters introduced in The Muppets

Character Actor/Muppeteer Description
'80s Robot Matt Vogel A robot that is Kermit the Frog's butler and chauffeur. '80s Robot was designed and built by Legacy Effects.
Walter Peter Linz The orange Muppet brother of Gary (Jason Segel) and hard-core Muppet fan, "a shy, squeaky-voiced little guy whose lack of self-confidence manifests itself in crumpled shoulders and long stares at the floor."[54]
The Moopets Miss Poogy: David Rudman
Kermoot the Frog: Dave Goelz
Foozie Bear: Bill Barretta
Janooce: Matt Vogel
Roowlf the Dog: Matt Vogel
Animool: David Grohl 		A thug-like Muppet tribute band in Reno that Fozzie was a member of before rejoining Kermit and the other Muppets. The group consisted of Miss Poogy (a Miss Piggy-like character who is a recycled version of Snorty from Muppets Tonight), Kermoot the Frog (a Kermit the Frog-like character), Foozie Bear (a Fozzie Bear-like character and a later addition), Janooce (a Janice-like character), Roowlf the Dog (a Rowlf the Dog-like character), and Animool (a man dressed as Animal).[5]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Finch (1981), p. 19
  2. ^ Davis (2008), p. 5
  3. ^ Finch (1981), p. 20
  4. ^ a b c d e f Finch (1993), p. 103
  5. ^ a b c d e f Stein, Joel (2011-06-08). "Exclusive: On the Set of the New Muppets Movie". Time Magazine. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  6. ^ Finch (1981), p. 77
  7. ^ a b Stelle, pp. 96–97
  8. ^ a b Stoessner, p. 75
  9. ^ Finch (1981), p. 40
  10. ^ "Episode 318: Leslie Uggams" (1978-15-05), in The Muppet Show: Season Three (Disc 3) [DVD] (2008), Walt Disney Home Entertainment
  11. ^ a b c d Finch (1981), p. 80
  12. ^ Finch (1981), p. 84
  13. ^ a b Finch (1981), p. 85
  14. ^ a b Finch (1993), p. 114
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Finch (1993), p. 102
  16. ^ Finch (1981), pp. 81–83
  17. ^ a b Finch (1981), p. 32
  18. ^ The Muppets Valentine Show (Television production). 1974-01-24. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  19. ^ Haberkorn, p. 32
  20. ^ a b c d e Finch (1981), p. 83
  21. ^ Davis (2008), p. 26
  22. ^ Finch (1993), p. 36
  23. ^ Finch (1981), p. 28
  24. ^ Fisher, Maryanne (2009). "The Uniquely Strong but Feminine Miss Piggy". Kermit Culture: Critical Perspectives on Jim Henson's Muppets. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 181. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/798078442591 |798078442591 [[Category:Articles with invalid ISBNs]]]]. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Finch (1993), p. 119
  26. ^ Eastman, p. 80
  27. ^ Henson, Jim (2005). Cheryl Henson (ed.). It's Not That Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 1-4013-0242-4.
  28. ^ Lewis, Jim (2006). Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons. Des Moines, Iowa: Meredith Books. p. 48. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/0-696-23232-9 |0-696-23232-9 [[Category:Articles with invalid ISBNs]]]]. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  29. ^ Finch (1993), p. 32
  30. ^ Finch (1993), pp. 32–33
  31. ^ Finch (1981), p. 72
  32. ^ Schildrout, Jordon. (October 2008). "The Performance of Nonconformity on The Muppet Show—or How Kermit Made Me Queer." The Journal of Popular Culture, 41:5, p. 832. Quoted in Kermit Culture, pp. 121–122.
  33. ^ a b Finch (1981), p. 82
  34. ^ a b Garlan and Graham, p. 220
  35. ^ Schneider, p. 40
  36. ^ Schneider, pp. 40–43
  37. ^ Garlan and Graham, p. 221
  38. ^ Stoessner, p. 77
  39. ^ Frawley, James (Director) (1979). The Muppet Movie (Motion picture).
  40. ^ Eastman, p. 22
  41. ^ a b c d e f The Muppets Take Manhattan (Motion Picture). 1984.
  42. ^ Haberkorn does not classify Jill, Bill and Gil as frogs, since they are not green, like all other Muppet frogs, and do not have the same distinctly shaped pupils as Kermit (Haberkorn, p. 37).
  43. ^ Finch (1993), p. 209
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Jim Henson Hour" (1989)
  45. ^ Davis (2008), p. 2
  46. ^ Mifflin, Lawrie (1996-03-10). "Following in the Frog's Footsteps". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
  47. ^ Davis (2008), pp. 2–3
  48. ^ "Jim Henson". The Arsenio Hall Show. 1990-05-04.
  49. ^ }http://themuppetmindset.blogspot.com/2011/04/weekly-muppet-wednesdays-waldo-c.html
  50. ^ a b "Episode 104: Cindy Crawford". Muppets Tonight!. 1996-04-05. ABC.
  51. ^ "Episode 106: Tony Bennett". Muppets Tonight!. 1996-04-12. ABC.
  52. ^ Liebeck, Laura (2002-01-12). "Pepe the King Prawn Speaks Out". Global License. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
  53. ^ "Episode 103: Billy Crystal". Muppets Tonight!. 1996-03-22. ABC.
  54. ^ Barnes, Brooks (2011-11-16). "Wocka, Wocka, Wocka! Muppet Antics Resume". Retrieved 2011-12-04.

References

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  • Davis, Michael. (2008). Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street. New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 978-0-670-01996-0
  • Eastman, Ben. (1999). Jim Henson's Muppets from Space: The Making of Muppet Movie Magic. New York: Grosset and Dunlap. ISBN 0-448-42055-4
  • Finch, Christopher. (1981). Of Muppets and Men. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN 0-394-52085-8
  • Finch, Christopher (1993). Jim Henson: The Works: the Art, the Magic, the Imagination. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-6794-1203
  • Garlen, Jennifer C. and Anissa M. Graham, eds. (2009). Kermit Culture: Critical Perspectives on Jim Henson's Muppets. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. ISBN 798078442591
    • Davis, Hugh H. "The Muppets and Shakespeare". pp. 81–91.
    • Garlen, Jennifer C. and Annisa M. Graham. "Appendix: The Muppet Show", pp. 217–222.
    • Haberkorn, Gideon. "The Muppets as a Metaphor for the Self", pp. 25—39.
    • Schneider, Lynne D. "Stuffed Suits and Hog-Wild Desire", pp. 40–53.
    • Stelle, Ginger. "Starring Kermit the Frog as Bob Crachit: Muppets as Actors", pp. 92–102.
    • Stoessner, Jennifer. "From Puppetry to Muppetry," pp. 71-80.

See also

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