The Muppets

The Muppets are puppet characters created by Jim Henson. The characters include Kermit the Frog and the Muppet cast of Sesame Street. The Muppets are known for an absurd burlesque and humorous style of variety-sketch comedy.

Jim Henson started work with the Muppets in the 1950s and continued until his death in 1990. He said the name "muppet" came from combining the words "puppet" and "marionette." However, he also said he just liked the way the word sounded. 

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 from The Walt Disney Company to use that name.

 Description 
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 while the other hand controls the 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
Many Muppeteers voiced a variety of characters. For example, Jim Henson was the voice of Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Guy Smiley, Bruce (monster), Harvey Monster, The Big Bad Wolf, Rowlf the Dog, The Swedish Chef, Dr. Teeth, Link Hogthrob, Waldorf, Shakey Sanchez, Green Frackle, Green Heap, Beautiful Day Monster, Mahna Mahna, The Newsman, Flower Eating Monster, Cantus the Minstrel, Sam, Harry the Hipster, Yorick, Emmet Otter, Clyde (bird), Timmy Monster, Blue Martian, Lubbock Lou, and various other characters.

Similarly, Frank Oz voiced various other characters.

Meanwhile, Jerry Nelson voiced other characters.

Richard Hunt voiced and other characters. Dave Goelz also portrayed numerous Muppets.

 Additional Muppeteers 
Additional Muppeteers include:
 Alice Dinnean: She voiced others
 Bill Barretta: others
 Carmen Osbahr: others
 David Rudman: others
 Fran Brill: Prairie Dawn, Zoe, Betty Lou, Little Bird, and others
 Joey Mazzarino: others
 John Tartaglia: others
 Julianne Buescher: others
 Kevin Clash: others
 Leslie Carrara-Rudolph - others
 Matt Vogel - others
 Martin P. Robinson - others
 Peter Linz - others
 Stephanie D'Abruzzo: Curly Bear and others
 Steve Whitmire: Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Lips, Pink Martian, Zeke and other characters

 Various characters 
Several Muppeteers voiced various unspecified characters, including:

 Eric Jacobson
 Jennifer Barnhart
 John Kennedy
 Noel MacNeal
 Pam Arciero
 Ryan Dillon
 Tyler Bunch

 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)Kermit’s Swamp Years (2002) 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 Steve Whitmire Matt VogelMiss Piggy Frank Oz Frank Oz (voice)Kevin Clash (puppetry) Frank Oz (voice)Peter Linz (puppetry) McDonald's advert Eric JacobsonFozzie Bear Frank Oz (voice)  John Kennedy (puppetry)The Great Gonzo Dave Goelz Dave GoelzStatler Richard Hunt Jerry NelsonJerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice)Steve Whitmire (puppetry) Steve Whitmire Peter LinzWaldorf Jim Henson Dave GoelzDr. Bunsen Honeydew Dave GoelzMentioned Dave GoelzBeaker Richard Hunt Steve Whitmire Steve WhitmireDavid RudmanThe Swedish Chef Jim Henson David Rudman Bill BarrettaSam the Eagle Frank Oz Frank Oz (voice)Kevin Clash (puppetry) Frank Oz (voice)John Kennedy (puppetry) Kevin Clash (voice)John Kennedy (puppetry) Eric JacobsonAnimal Frank Oz Frank Oz (voice)Kevin Clash (puppetry) Frank Oz (voice)  Rickey Boyd (puppetry) Eric JacobsonRowlf the Dog Jim Henson colspan="2" rowspan="6" Dr. Teeth Jim Hensoncolspan="3" John Kennedy Bill BarettaFloyd Pepper Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice) John Kennedy Matt VogelJanice Richard Hunt Brian Henson Tyler Bunch David RudmanZoot Dave Goelz Dave Goelz Dave GoelzLew Zealand Jerry Nelson Bill Barretta Matt VogelBeauregard colspan="1"  Dave Goelz colspan="1" Dave Goelz Dave Goelz Supporting characters (appear in more than one film) Scooter Richard Hunt David RudmanRizzo the Rat / Ballroom Rat Steve WhitmirePepe the King Prawn Bill BarrettaWalter Peter LinzLips Steve Whitmire Steve Whitmire Steve Whitmire Peter LinzRobin the Frog Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice) Matt Vogel Peter LinzSweetums Richard Hunt John Henson Matt VogelLew Zealand Jerry Nelsoncolspan="2"  Bill Barretta Matt VogelBeauregard Dave Goelz Dave GoelzPops Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson (voice) Matt VogelCrazy Harry Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Rickey Boyd Matt VogelCamilla the Chicken Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson Alice Dinnean Matt VogelMarvin Suggs Frank Oz Eric JacobsonLink Hogthrob Jim Henson Steve WhitmireThe Newsman Jim Henson Steve WhitmireBobo the Bear Bill Barretta80's Robot Matt VogelJohnny Fiama Bill BarrettaSal Minella Brian HensonBean Bunny Steve Whitmire Steve WhitmireMiss Poogy David RudmanBig Mean Carl Bill BarrettaWayne David RudmanWanda Alice Dinnean (voice)Mat Vogel (puppetry) One-shot characters Constantine Matt VogelFoo Foo Steve WhitmireBobby Benson David RudmanBaby Boss Bill BarrettaCarlo Flamingo Bill BarrettaManolo Flamingo Peter LinzLeprechaun Security Guard Bill BarrettaFoozie Tyler BunchKermoot Dave GoelzRoowlf Matt VogelJanooce Matt VogelJoe Snow Mel Brooks (voice)Allan Trautman (puppetry)Clifford Kevin ClashDr. Phil van Neuter Brian HensonBubba the Rat Bill BarrettaThe Birdman Dave GoelzUbergonzo Jerry NelsonCosmic Fish #1 Steve WhitmireCosmic Fish #2 Bill BarrettaBlind Pew Jerry NelsonBlack Dog Kevin ClashSpa'am Kevin ClashBad Polly Kevin ClashMad Monty Jerry NelsonClueless Morgan Bill BarrettaGhost 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 NelsonThog Tyler BunchOld Joe David Shaw Parker (voice)David Rudman (puppetry)Peter Cratchit David RudmanBetina Cratchit Dave GoelzBelinda Cratchit Steve WhitmireChester Rat Dave GoelzMasterson Rat Bruce Edward HallTatooey Rat Brian MuehlYolanda Rat Karen PrellBeth Bear Bruce Edward HallBill (frog) Dave GoelzGil (frog) Steve WhitmireJill (frog) Kathryn MullenErnie Jim HensonBert Frank OzCookie Monster Frank OzOscar the Grouch Caroll SpinneyBig Bird Caroll SpinneyLittle Bird Caroll Spinney Little 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)

 Other websites