# Matt Vogel (puppeteer)

Matthew James Vogel (born October 6, 1970) is an American puppeteer, actor and director known for his work with Sesame Workshop and the Muppets. He has performed Kermit the Frog since 2017, and has been the full-time performer of Big Bird since 2018 and Count Von Count since 2013.

## Early life

Vogel was born in Kansas City, Kansas. As a child, he was a fan of both Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. He interned at Mesner Puppet Theater where he played his first role of Victor Frankenstein in Paul Mesner Puppets’ production of “Frankenstein” in 1993. After 1993, he moved from Kansas City to New York. He received a BFA in Theatre from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University of St. Louis, Missouri.

## Career

Vogel began his career with the Jim Henson Company in 1996, joining Sesame Street as an ensemble puppeteer and understudy performer for Big Bird. In 2018, he became the full-time performer for Big Bird following Caroll Spinney's retirement. Since 2008, he has additionally served as a director on the program and was appointed puppet captain in 2012. Following Jerry Nelson's death the same year, he inherited the role of Count von Count. He has additionally performed Mr. Johnson, Forgetful Jones, Sherlock Hemlock, and the Yip-Yip Martians. Since 2013, he has performed Alex, a Muppet addressing parental incarceration, for the Sesame Street in Communities initiative.
Since 2008, Vogel has been a principal performer with the Muppets, inheriting many of Nelson's character roles. He has performed the characters Floyd Pepper, Uncle Deadly, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Sweetums, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Pops, '80s Robot, and Constantine. In July 2017, he was officially announced as the new performer for Kermit the Frog, succeeding Steve Whitmire in the role. His first performance as Kermit was in a "Muppets Thought of the Week" segment on YouTube. He performed Robin the Frog until 2017 with Peter Linz subsequently taking the role to allow Kermit and Robin to appear in scenes together.
In 2016, Vogel voiced Wilkins in Alice Through the Looking Glass.

## Personal life

Vogel married Kelly C. McDonnell on August 31, 1997. They have five children.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Production | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland | Big Bird | Assistant performer |
| 2005 | The Producers | Pigeon | Puppeteer |
| 2008 | A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, Robin the Frog, Pigeon Son | Performer; Television film |
| 2011 | The Muppets | Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Robin the Frog, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Penguin | Performer |
| 2013 | Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map | Fred Jones | Performer (puppetry only); Direct-to-DVD film |
| 2014 | Muppets Most Wanted | Constantine, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Pops, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, '80s Robot, Camilla the Chicken, Uncle Deadly, Dr. Julius Strangepork | Performer |
| 2014 | I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story | | Documentary film; Self |
| 2016 | Alice Through the Looking Glass | Wilkins | Voice |

### Television

| Year(s) | Production | Role | Notes |
| 1996–present | Sesame Street | Big Bird (1997–present), Count von Count (2013–present), Mr. Johnson (2014–present), Various characters | Performer (also director) |
| 1996 | Elmo Saves Christmas | | Additional performer; Television special |
| 1996–1998 | Big Bag | | Additional performer |
| 1998 | The Puzzle Place | Skye, Nuzzle | Performer (season 3) |
| 2000 | Between the Lions | Various characters | Ensemble performer |
| 2002–2007 | Play with Me Sesame | Ernie | Assistant performer |
| 2003–2005 | Oobi | Angus | Performer |
| 2006 | Blue's Room | Alphabet Puppy | Puppeteer |
| 2007 | Jack's Big Music Show | Leonard the Country Squirrel | Performer, Episode: "Leonard the Country Squirrel" |
| 2008 | Studio DC: Almost Live | Camilla the Chicken, Floyd Pepper (puppetry only) | Performer |
| 2009 | 30 Rock | | Puppeteer, Episode: "Apollo, Apollo" |
| 2015–2016 | The Muppets | Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Robin the Frog | Performer |
| 2016 | The Furchester Hotel | Big Bird, Count von Count | Performer |
| 2016 | Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas | Count von Count, Constable/Mr. Johnson, Big Bird (puppetry only) | Performer (also director); Television special |
| 2019 | Lip Sync Battle | Big Bird | Performer |
| 2020–2021 | The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo | Count von Count, Big Bird, Biff, Mr. Johnson | Performer (also director) |
| 2020 | Amphibia | Crumpet the Frog | Voice role, Episode: "Swamp and Sensibility" Credited as Kermit the Frog |
| 2020 | Muppets Now | Kermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Cacti | Performer |
| 2021–2023 | The Masked Singer | Kermit the Frog, Snail, Crazy Harry, Uncle Deadly, Big Bird, Count von Count | 3 episodes; Contestant (season 5) Episodes: "Muppets Night", "Sesame Street Night" |
| 2021 | Donkey Hodie | King Friday | Performer |
| 2021 | A Capitol Fourth | Kermit the Frog | Performer; Television special |
| 2021 | Muppets Haunted Mansion | Kermit the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Pops, Crazy Harry, Lew Zealand, Uncle Deadly, Sweetums | Performer; Disney+ Halloween special |
| 2022 | Best in Snow | Kermit the Frog | Performer; Disney+ special |
| 2023 | The Muppets Mayhem | Floyd Pepper | Performer; Main role |

### Other appearances

| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
| 2017 | The Muppets Take the Bowl | Kermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Snowth, Sweetums (voice) | Performer, live show at the Hollywood Bowl, Sept. 8–10 |
| 2018 | The Muppets Take the O2 | Kermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Snowth, Sweetums (voice) | Performer, live show at the O2, Jul. 13–14 |
| 2019 | Muppet Babies Play Date | Kermit the Frog (baby) | Performer (puppetry only) |
| 2021 | The Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach | Kermit the Frog, Camilla the Chicken | Voice, theme park show |
| 2023 | Disney Holidays in Hollywood | Kermit the Frog | Voice, theme park show |