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 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. There is no defined difference between a muppet and a puppet other than the link to Jim Henson. 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
 Dave Goelz - The Great Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Beauregard, Boober Fraggle, Traveling Matt, Rugby Tiger, Digit, Stinky the Skunk, Brewtster, Philo, Gorgon Heap, Mr. Snuffleupagus, 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

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)

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