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 
### 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 
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