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Steve Whitmire
Steve Whitmire QA w Patty Hawkins Galaxy Con Raleigh - 53100646635.jpg
Whitmire at the QA in the Patty Hawkins Galaxy Con Raleigh at 2023
Born
Steven Lawrence Whitmire

(1959-09-24) September 24, 1959 (age 65)
Occupation
  • Puppeteer
Years active 1978–present
Spouse(s)
Melissa Whitmire
(m. 1978)
Signature
Steve Whitmire signature.svg

Steven Lawrence Whitmire (born September 24, 1959) is an American puppeteer, known primarily for his work on The Muppets and Sesame Street. Beginning his involvement with the Muppets in 1978, Whitmire inherited the roles of Ernie and Kermit the Frog after Jim Henson's death in 1990; he performed the characters until 2014 and 2016, respectively. As part of the Muppet cast, he has appeared in multiple feature films and television series, performing a variety of characters on The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock and during such occupations has been employed by The Jim Henson Company, Sesame Workshop, and The Muppets Studio.

Career

Whitmire first appeared (unpaid) at a pre-show event at Six Flags Over Georgia. He performed with his then alter-ego puppet Otis for the children waiting to see a multimedia show.

Before graduating high school, Whitmire had his first "professional" puppeteering job using Otis at "The World of Sid & Marty Krofft" in Atlanta, the first indoor theme park. From there Whitmire appeared on local Atlanta TV live for 2 1/2 hours every day on "The Kids Show with Otis" taking telephone calls from children and adults. The show received more than 2000 calls per hour. WATL was owned at that time by former Atlanta children's television host "Officer Don" Kennedy. Otis made appearances on various WATL 36 shows with Atlanta's Ludlow Porch, performing with the Georgia Bulldogs' Larry Munson, Don Kennedy, and Entertainment Page host Artie Goodman. As Otis, Whitmire interviewed Olivia Newton-John during a tour promoting an album.

Steve Whitmire QA w Patty Hawkins Galaxy Con Raleigh - 53100426629
Steve Whitmire QA w Patty Hawkins Galaxy Con Raleigh, 2023

He worked with puppets after graduating high school, and eventually got a job working on The Muppet Show in 1978. Since then, Whitmire performed in almost every major Henson company project, including non-Muppet projects such as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Dinosaurs.

Characters performed

Whitmire was the second performer of two signature MuppetsKermit the Frog and Ernie—after the death of their creator and original performer Jim Henson (with whom he shared a birthday) in 1990. Whitmire was personally asked by Brian Henson and Jane Henson to be Kermit's performer a few weeks after Jim Henson's death. Heather Henson arranged for a Kermit puppet to be sent to Whitmire's residence; however, Whitmire hid the puppet away for weeks before deciding on taking on the role. Following Richard Hunt's death and Jerry Nelson's retirement, Whitmire took over the roles of Beaker and Statler, respectively. In 2014, Billy Barkhurst took over the role of Ernie, with Peter Linz taking over that role in 2017.

Muppet characters original to Whitmire include Rizzo the Rat, Lips (the trumpet player from Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem), Miss Piggy's dog Foo-Foo, Wembley Fraggle and Sprocket the Dog on Fraggle Rock, and Bean Bunny, a character that originated in The Tale of the Bunny Picnic (1986).

Whitmire voiced Link Hogthrob in the Muppet RaceMania and Muppets Party Cruise video games. He also performed Link for the 2011 film The Muppets. This was the first speaking appearance of the character since the death of Jim Henson, the original performer of Link. He also performed him in Muppets Most Wanted. In 2008, Whitmire took over another of Jim Henson's roles, The Muppet Newsman.

Steve Whitmire Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2022
Whitmire at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2022

Dismissal from the Muppets

In July 2017, The Muppets Studio announced that Whitmire was no longer involved with the Muppets and that fellow Muppet performer Matt Vogel was cast as Kermit's new performer. Whitmire revealed that he was dismissed from his roles in October 2016 because of undisclosed issues that he said had not been discussed before his dismissal. In their decision-making, The Walt Disney Company (owner of The Muppets Studio) consulted the Henson family, who supported the recasting of Kermit and Whitmire's dismissal.

Brian Henson stated that issues with Whitmire began in the mid-1990s, and said that Whitmire would make "outrageous demands and often played brinkmanship", and additionally stated that Whitmire would "send emails and letters attacking everyone, attacking the writing and attacking the director". He also expressed guilt for not dismissing Whitmire and recasting Kermit before selling the Muppets to Disney in 2004, "because I knew that it was going to be a real problem". Lisa Henson stated that Whitmire was opposed to having an understudy for Kermit and refused to train one, which became problematic when it came to "B-level performances, such as a ribbon-cutting," at some of which she said he was unwilling to appear. She also stated that he "blackballed young performers" by refusing to appear in shows with them.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that same month, Whitmire stated he was dismissed for disagreements over Kermit's characterization and prolonged labor union negotiations between Disney and SAG-AFTRA (of which Whitmire is a member) that delayed his involvement in Muppet productions. Whitmire alleged that Disney offered him what he called "consolation prizes" if he voluntarily left, including honoring him as a Disney Legend, under the public pretense that he would be retiring from performing. In a statement released to The New York Times, Debbie McClellan, then-head of The Muppets Studio, said that they "raised concerns about Steve’s repeated unacceptable business conduct over a period of many years, and he consistently failed to address the feedback". Whitmire has expressed an interest in making amends and resuming his role with the Muppets in the future if possible.

Personal life

In June 1978, Whitmire married his wife Melissa. They met during his senior year at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, Georgia. They live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Filmography

Film

Film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1979 The Muppet Movie Additional Muppet performer Puppeteer; Whitmire also makes an onscreen cameo as a man attending Bogen County Fair
1981 The Great Muppet Caper Rizzo the Rat, Lips Puppeteer/voice
1982 The Dark Crystal skekTek the Scientist Puppeteer
1984 The Muppets Take Manhattan Rizzo the Rat, Gil the Frog, Dog, additional characters Puppeteer/voice
1985 Dreamchild The Caterpillar (puppetry only), Mock Turtle (puppetry only) Puppeteer
1986 Labyrinth The Four Guards (puppetry only), Firey 4 (puppetry only), Ambrosius (puppetry only)
1987 A Muppet Family Christmas Rizzo the Rat, Lips, Wembley Fraggle, Sprocket the Dog, and Christmas Turkey Puppeteer/voice
1990 The Witches Luke Mouse Puppeteer Only
1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Lips, Sprocket, Beaker, Belinda Cratchit, Laundress, additional characters Puppeteer/voice
1993 Billy Bunny's Animal Songs Kermit the Frog
1996 Muppet Treasure Island Rizzo the Rat, Kermit the Frog, Beaker, The Dodo, Walleye Pike, Inkspots, Rats
1997 123 Count with Me Ernie
1998 Elmopalooza Ernie, Kermit the Frog
1999 Muppets from Space Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Cosmic Fish #1, Alien Gonzo, Rainbow the Beach Hippie (on-screen cameo)
1999 The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Ernie, Bad Humor Man, Football Stenchman, Sharon Groan, Stuckweed, Parrot
1999 CinderElmo Ernie, Kermit the Frog, and Prince the Dog
2002 Kermit's Swamp Years Kermit the Frog, Young Kermit, Chico, Jack Rabbit
2002 It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Mr. Poodlepants
2005 The Muppets' Wizard of Oz Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Bean Bunny, Audience Member at Aunt Em's Diner (on-screen cameo)
2007 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium Kermit the Frog
2008 Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland Ernie (as Tweedledum)
2011 The Muppets Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler, Link Hogthrob, The Muppet Newsman, Lips
2014 Muppets Most Wanted Kermit the Frog, Foo-Foo, Statler, Beaker, Lips, Rizzo the Rat, Link Hogthrob, The Muppet Newsman, Andy Pig, gulag prisoner (on-screen cameo)

Television

Television credits
Year(s) Title Role Notes
1978–1981 The Muppet Show Rizzo the Rat, Lips, Foo-Foo, Fletcher Bird (voice), additional characters Performer
1979 The Muppets Go Hollywood Additional characters, extra Performer/actor
1979 John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together Additional characters Performer
1982 The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show Rizzo the Rat, back-up singer, additional characters Performer/actor
1983–1987 Fraggle Rock Wembley Fraggle, Sprocket, Marlon Fraggle, Flange Doozer, Murray the Minstrel, Papa Tree Creature, Phil Fraggle (puppetry only), Crusty Doozer Performer
1983 Rocky Mountain Holiday Rizzo the Rat, Giant Man Eating Chicken
1986 The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years Rizzo the Rat, additional characters
1986 The Christmas Toy Mew
1986 The Tale of the Bunny Picnic Bean Bunny
1987 A Muppet Family Christmas Rizzo the Rat, Lips, Sprocket, Christmas Turkey, Wembley Fraggle
1987 Inner Tube Henry, Duke Performer, unaired pilot
1989 The Jim Henson Hour Bean Bunny, Flash, Jacques Roach, Waldo C. Graphic, Yellow Extreme, additional characters Performer
1990 The Muppets at Walt Disney World Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Lips, Foo Foo, Sprocket
1993–2014 Sesame Street Ernie (1993–2014), Kermit the Frog (1996-2001; 2009), Dr. Feel and Additional characters Performer/voice
1990 The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Kermit the Frog Performer
1991–1994 Dinosaurs B.P. Richfield (puppetry), Robbie Sinclair (face), Chief Elder (face), Mr. Mason Dixon, Sonny Woody, Blarney, Judge H.T. Stone (puppetry) Performer/puppeteer
1992–1993 Muppet Meeting Films Flunky, Mr. Briteweight, Kermit the Frog Performer
1993 Sesame Street Stays Up Late! Ernie
1994 Jim Henson's Animal Show Jake the Polar Bear, Wingo the Shoebill, Lawrence the Orangutan
1994 Muppet Classic Theater Rizzo the Rat, Kermit the Frog
1995 Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree Bear, Kermit the Frog, Owl
1996–1998 Muppets Tonight Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Captain Pighead, Andy Pig, Mr. Poodlepants, additional characters
1998-2009 Elmo's World Ernie, Kermit the Frog
2001 Family Feud Kermit Performer/Guest Contestant
2002-2007 Play With Me Sesame Ernie Performer (Season 1 only and Season 3 for non-US markets, excluding Season 2)
2008 Studio DC: Almost Live Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Bean Bunny, Foo-Foo Performer
2008 A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler
2011 WWE Raw Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Statler Puppeteer
2012 WWE Tribute to the Troops Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat Puppeteer
2012 30 Rock Kermit the Frog Puppeteer, Episode: "My Whole Life Is Thunder"
2013 Good Luck Charlie Kermit the Frog Puppeteer/Guest Star, Episode: "Duncan Dream House"
2013 Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler Performer
2015 Muppet Moments Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler, Sheep, Andy Pig, Foo-Foo, The Muppet Newsman
2015–2016 The Muppets Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Lips, The Muppet Newsman, Andy Pig
2021 Lego Masters Willy Performer, (2 episodes)

Video games

Video games
Year(s) Title Role Notes
2000 Muppet Race Mania Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Gil, Link Hogthrob, Flange Doozer Voice role
2000 Muppet Monster Adventure Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker
2001 Sesame Street Sports Ernie
2003 Muppets Party Cruise Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Andy Pig, Bean Bunny, Link Hogthrob

Other appearances

Other credits
Year(s) Title Role Notes
1991 Muppet*Vision 3D Waldo C. Graphic, Bean Bunny, Rizzo the Rat Performer, theme park film
2005–2006 Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony Statler (Ep. 1-8) Performer
2008–2009 Muppet YouTube Shorts Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Rabbits, Pumpkins, Penguins, Turkey
2010 Disney's Honorary VoluntEars Cavalcade Kermit the Frog Voice, theme park parade
2010 The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Andy Pig, Foo-Foo, The Muppet Newsman Performer
2013–2014 Muppisodes Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler
2014 Disney Drive-On with The Muppets Kermit the Frog
2016 The Muppets Present...Great Moments in American History Kermit the Frog Voice, theme park show
2019–2022 CAVE-iN Weldon the I.T. Guy Performer, Internet videos

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Steve Whitmire para niños

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