Ernie

Since 1969, Ernie has been one of the stars of Sesame Street. He and Bert form a comic duo that is one of the program's centerpieces, with Ernie acting the role of the naïve trouble-maker and Bert the world-weary foil.

Ernie is well known for his fondness for baths with his Rubber Duckie, and for trying to learn to play the saxophone because he wouldn't "put down the duckie."

Ernie is a Live-Hand Muppet, meaning that while operating the head of the puppet with his right hand, the puppeteer inserts his left hand into a T-shaped sleeve, capped off with a glove that matches the fabric "skin" of the puppet, thus "becoming" the left arm of the puppet. A second puppeteer usually provides the right arm, although sometimes the right arm is simply stuffed and pinned to the puppet's chest. Other puppets of this type include Cookie Monster and Fozzie Bear.

Trivia

 * Ernie made special appearances in two Muppet Show episodes: Episode 102: Connie Stevens and Episode 518: Marty Feldman.


 * John Tartaglia performed Ernie in the second season of Play with Me Sesame.


 * In the finale of The Muppet Movie, Ernie was performed by Earl Kress.