Character recasts

The first two performers of Kermit the Frog
Jim Henson (1955-1990) and Steve Whitmire (1990-2016)

A list of instances in which a character was recast with another performer. Main performers are marked in bold; cases in which someone held a puppet up in the background of a group shot (or filled in on-set with the main performer looping the voice later) are not included. If a performer was cast as that character in only one production (or for only one year), the title of that production is noted. If the performer performed the character for more than one production, a date range is listed. For further details, see the Casting History section of the respective character page on the wiki (linked in the header).

The Muppets

Andy and Randy Pig

• Steve Whitmire and Dave Goelz — 1996-2014
• Joey Mazzarino and Kevin Clash — Muppet Time (1994) (as Kirby and Jeffy)
• Brian Henson and Dave Goelz — Muppet Classic Theater (1994)
• Bill Barretta and Dave Goelz — Facebook Portal ad (2019), Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

Animal

• Frank Oz — 1975-2000
• Eric Jacobson — 2002-present
• Rob Mills — Episode 112 of The Jim Henson Hour (1989)
• Kevin Clash — episode 107 of Muppets Tonight
• John Kennedy — 2001-2003
• Drew Massey — From the Balcony, Episode 9 (2005)

Beaker

• Richard Hunt — 1977-1991
• Steve Whitmire — 1992-2016
• David Rudman — 2017-present
• Kevin Clash — The Muppet Show Live (2001)
• Peter Linz — The Game Awards (2019)

Bobby Benson

• Richard Hunt — 1977-1981
• David Rudman — The Muppets (2011), Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Camilla the Chicken

• Jerry Nelson — 1978-2003
• Matt Vogel — 2008-present
• Steve Whitmire — Gonzo and the Giant Chicken (1982)
• Richard Hunt — Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff (1985)
• Alice Dinnean — The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)
• Peter Linz — America's Got Talent (2014)

Chip

• Gord Robertson — 1989
• Dave Goelz — 2015-present

Crazy Harry

• Jerry Nelson — 1977-2003
• Matt Vogel — 2008-present
• John Lovelady — The Muppets Valentine Show (1974), The Muppet Show Season 1 (1976-1977)
• Richard Hunt — The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence (1975), CBS Sunday Morning (1981)
• Rickey Boyd — TNT promo (1988), The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)

Dr. Bunsen Honeydew

• Dave Goelz — 1976-present
• Bill Barretta — Muppets Tonight Episode 101: Michelle Pfeiffer (1996)

Dr. Julius Strangepork

• Jerry Nelson — 1977-2003
• Matt Vogel — 2016-present
• David Rudman — Muppets Studios Presents: You're the Director (1988) (some lines)

Dr. Teeth

• Jim Henson — 1975-1990
• Bill Barretta — 2005-present
• John Kennedy — various (1991-2003)
• Victor Yerrid — From the Balcony episode 9 (2005)
• Martin P. Robinson — A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008, first line)

Emily Bear

• Jerry Nelson — 1987-1992
• Matt Vogel — Facebook Portal ads (2019), Mother's Day YouTube video (2020)

Floyd Pepper

• Jerry Nelson — 1975-2003
• Matt Vogel — 2008-present
• John Kennedy — 2005-2006

Foo-Foo

• Steve Whitmire — 1979-2016
• Peter Linz — Muppets Now (2020)

Fozzie Bear

• Frank Oz — 1976-2000
• Eric Jacobson — 2002-present
• Victor Yerrid — Muppets Ahoy! (2006)

Gonzo

• Dave Goelz — 1976-present
• Daniel Seagren — The Great Santa Claus Switch (1970) (as Snarl)
• Jim Henson — Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (1974), the original pilot version of Episode 101 of The Muppet Show (1976)
• Brett O'Quinn — Muppets Ahoy! (2006)

Janice

• Richard Hunt — 1977-1991
• David Rudman — 2008-present
• Eren Ozker — 1976-1977
• Fran Brill — 1975
• John Lovelady — Julie Andrews: My Favorite Things (1975)
• Matt Vogel — Muppet RaceMania (2000)
• Brian Henson — 2002-2003
• Tyler Bunch — The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)

Kermit the Frog

• Jim Henson — 1955-1990
• Steve Whitmire — 1990-2016
• Matt Vogel — 2017-present
• John Kennedy — Muppets Ahoy! (2006)
• Artie Esposito — America's Got Talent, the MTV Video Music Awards, D23 Expo (2009)
• Unknown — off-screen dialogue for some portions of The Case of the Stolen Show (2012)

Lew Zealand

• Jerry Nelson — 1978-2003
• Matt Vogel — 2008-present
• Bill Barretta — 2002-2005

Link Hogthrob

• Jim Henson — 1977-1990
• Steve Whitmire — 2000-2016
• Peter Linz — The Muppets Take the Bowl (2017), PuppetPalooza (2018), The Muppets Take the O2 (2018), Muppets Now (2020)

Lips

• Steve Whitmire — 1980-2016
• Peter Linz — The Muppets Take the Bowl (2017), The Muppets Take the O2 (2018)

Mahna Mahna

• Jim Henson — 1969-1976
• Bill Barretta — 2005-present

Marvin Suggs

• Frank Oz — 1976-1981
• Eric Jacobson — The Muppets (2011)

Miss Piggy

• Frank Oz — 1976-2002
• Eric Jacobson — 2001-present
• Jerry Nelson — Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (1974)
• Fran Brill — The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence (1975)
• Richard Hunt — The Muppet Show Season 1 (1976-1977)
• Victor Yerrid — Muppets Ahoy! (2006)

Mulch

• Jerry Nelson — 1981
• Kevin Clash — 1996-1998

The Newsman

• Jim Henson — 1976-1989
• Steve Whitmire — 2008-2016
• Richard Hunt — CBS Sunday Morning (1981)
• Jerry Nelson — Muppets Inside (1996)
• Brian Henson — The Muppet Show Live (2001), Muppets Party Cruise (2003)
• Eric Jacobson — The Muppets Take the Bowl (2017), The Muppets Take the O2 (2018)

Pepe the King Prawn

• Bill Barretta — 1996-present
• Drew Massey — Test pilot for From the Balcony

Pops

• Jerry Nelson — 1980-2002
• Matt Vogel — 2011-present

Rizzo the Rat

• Steve Whitmire — 1980-2016
• Dave Goelz — Muppet Classic Theater (1994) (some lines)
• Tyler Bunch — A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008) (some lines)

Robin the Frog

• Jerry Nelson — 1971-2003
• Matt Vogel — 2008-2017
• Rick Lyon — Muppets Studios Presents: You're the Director (1988) (later dubbed over by Nelson)
• Drew Massey — Muppets Ahoy! (2006)
• Peter Linz — The Muppets Take the Bowl (2017), The Muppets Take the O2 (2018), Facebook Portal commercials (2019), Muppets Now (2020), Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

Rowlf the Dog

• Jim Henson — 1962-1990
• Bill Barretta — 1996-present

Sam the Eagle

• Frank Oz — 1975-2000
• Eric Jacobson — 2005-present
• Kevin Clash — It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002), Muppets Party Cruise (2003 - voice only)
• Drew Massey — From the Balcony Episodes 11, 15, 18 and 33 (2005-2006)

Scooter

• Richard Hunt — 1976-1991
• David Rudman — 2008-present
• Adam Hunt — Muppets from Space (1999 - voice only)
• Matt Vogel — Muppet RaceMania (2000 - voice only)
• Brian Henson — It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002), Muppets Party Cruise (2003 - voice only)
• Rickey Boyd — The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)

Statler

• Richard Hunt — 1976-1991
• Jerry Nelson — 1975, 1992-2003
• Steve Whitmire — 2002-2016
• Peter Linz — 2017-present
• Drew Massey — 2005-2006
• Bill Barretta — Jimmy Kimmel Live (2003)
• Artie Esposito — D23 Expo (2009)
• Dave Goelz — Parts of LittleBigPlanet 2 (2011)

The Swedish Chef

• Jim Henson — 1975-1990
• Bill Barretta — 1996-present
• David Rudman — The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
• Steve Whitmire — I Love Lucy Movie Mania Screen Test (1999)
• Victor Yerrid — From the Balcony Episode 26 (2006)

Sweetums

• Richard Hunt — 1975-1991
• John Henson — 1991-2005
• Matt Vogel — 2009-present
• Jerry Nelson — Muppet RaceMania (2000 - voice only)
• Carl Banas — The Frog Prince (1971 - voice only)
• Jim Henson — Cher (1975 - "Something" musical number), The Muppet Show Episode 114 (1976 - "A Nice Girl Like Me")
• Steve Whitmire — Jim Frawley's Camera Tests for The Muppet Movie (1978)
• Rob Mills — The Jim Henson Hour (1989 - Episode 107: Fitness)
• David Rudman — The Cosby Show (1990 - Episode 138 Cliff's Nightmare)
• Victor Yerrid — Muppet*Vision 3D opening at Disneyland (2001), Family Feud (2001), Barnes & Noble promotion (2003), From the Balcony Episode 13 (2005), Muppets Ahoy! (2006)
• Noel MacNeal — A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008)
• Ed Christie — filling in for John Henson on a few occasions

Uncle Deadly

• Jerry Nelson — 1976-1979
• Matt Vogel — 2011-present

Waldorf

• Jim Henson — 1975-1990
• Dave Goelz — 1992-present
• Kevin Clash — Muppets Tonight episode 101, episode 110
• Jerry Nelson — Muppet Meeting Films (1975) (as P. Fenton Cosgrove)
• John Lovelady — Des O'Connor Entertains (1976)
• Victor Yerrid — 2005-2006
• Steve Whitmire - Parts of LittleBigPlanet 2 (2011)

Wanda

• Eren Ozker — 1976-1977
• Kathryn Mullen — The Muppet Show Episode 406: Linda Lavin (1979)
• Alice Dinnean — The Muppets (2011)
• Julianne Buescher — The Muppets Take the Bowl (2017), The Muppets Take the O2 (2018), Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

Wayne

• Richard Hunt — 1976-1981
• David Rudman — 2011-present

Yolanda Rat

• Karen Prell — 1984-1985
• Julianne Buescher — Muppet Classic Theater (1994), 2015-present
• Camille Bonora — Muppets Studios Presents: You're the Director (1988)
• Alice Dinnean — The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora (2010)

Zoot

• Dave Goelz — 1975-present
• Kevin Clash — Episode 112 of The Jim Henson Hour (1989)

Sesame Street

The Amazing Mumford

• Jerry Nelson — 1971-2011
• John Kennedy — A Magical Halloween Adventure (2004, puppetry only with the phone conversation remained undubbed), 2018-present

Barkley

• Toby Towson — 1978
• Brian Muehl — 1979-1984
• Fred Garbo — 1984-1993
• Bruce Connelly — 1993-present

Bert

• Frank Oz — 1969-2006
• Eric Jacobson — 1997-present

Betty Lou

• Fran Brill — various (1970s-1980s)
• Lisa Buckley — 1993-1998
• Marilyn Sokol — 1974-1975
• Frank Oz — 1969 (including Pick Your Pet, where she's called Lucy Jones)

Biff

• Jerry Nelson — 1973-1999
• Matt Vogel — 2020-present
• John Kennedy — Episode 4204

The Big Bad Wolf

• Jerry Nelson — 1973-2011
• Martin P. Robinson — occasional
• Kevin Clash — occasional through 2008
• Joey Mazzarino — occasional through 2012
• Tyler Bunch — 2007-2013
• Matt Vogel — 2013

Big Bird

• Caroll Spinney — 1969-2018
• Matt Vogel — 1997-present
• Daniel Seagren — Episode 0083 (1970)
• Peter Linz — Shakespeare in the Park (2014)

Buster the Horse

• Martin P. Robinson — 1981-2009
• Kevin Clash — 1980-1981
• Ed Christie — Daytime Emmy Awards (1982)

Captain Vegetable

• Jim Henson — 1982
• Richard Hunt — 1983-1984
• Peter Linz — Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Clementine

• Brian Muehl — 1980-1984
• Kevin Clash — 1985-1987
• Camille Bonora — 1988-1991

Cookie Monster

• Frank Oz — 1969-2004
• David Rudman — 2001-present
• Jim Henson — in The Ed Sullivan Show and commercials
• Joe Raposo — in "Everyone Likes Ice Cream" (voice)
• Caroll Spinney — in a 1969 sketch in which various monsters whisper the letter C.

Count von Count

• Jerry Nelson — 1972-2012
• Matt Vogel — 2013-present

Mrs. Crustworthy

• Fran Brill — 2006-2015
• Stephanie D'Abruzzo — 2016-present

Don Music

• Richard Hunt — 1974-1991
• Ryan Dillon — San Diego Comic-Con (2019), Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Dr. Nobel Price

• Brian Muehl — 1980-1984
• Kevin Clash — 1984-1987

Elmo

• Kevin Clash — 1984-2012
• Ryan Dillon — 2013-present
• Brian Muehl — 1980-1984
• Richard Hunt — 1984
• Peter Linz — launch of Spaghetti Space Chase (2013)

Ernie

• Jim Henson — 1969-1990
• Steve Whitmire — 1993-2014
• Billy Barkhurst — regular performer (2014-2017), occasional voice only in Sesame Street Live shows (2009-2014)
• Peter Linz — 2017-present
• John Tartaglia — Play with Me Sesame (Season 2), Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic (both 2003)

Forgetful Jones

• Michael Earl — 1980-1981
• Richard Hunt — 1981-1991
• Matt Vogel — Kinect Sesame Street TV (2012), San Diego Comic-Con (2019), Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2019)

Fred the Wonder Horse

• Jerry Nelson — 1973-2009
• Ed Christie (1982)
• Matt Vogel — Play with Me Sesame (Season 3)

Gladys the Cow

• Richard Hunt — 1973-1992
• Jennifer Barnhart — 2003-present

Goldilocks

• Camille Bonora — 1991-1996
• Alice Dinnean — 1996-2004
• Jennifer Barnhart — 2005
• Fran Brill — 2007
• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph — 2012, 2015
• Stephanie D'Abruzzo — 2019
• Pam Arciero — Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Granny Bird

• Caroll Spinney — 1969-2014
• Matt Vogel — Beginning Together
• Jennifer Barnhart — 2018-present

Grover

• Frank Oz — 1970-2012
• Eric Jacobson — 1998-present
• Jim Henson — Near and Far (First: Episode 0057)
• Caroll Spinney — Monsters Look at "A" (First: Episode 0083)

Grundgetta

• Brian Muehl — 1980-1984
• Pam Arciero — 1985-present

Guy Smiley

• Jim Henson — 1969-1990
• Eric Jacobson — 2005-present
• Don Reardon — Let's Make a Word and Get Set to Learn! CD-ROM games (voice only)

Harvey Kneeslapper

• Frank Oz (1971-1977)
• Matt Vogel — Episode 4209 (2010)
• Eric Jacobson — Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Herry Monster

• Jerry Nelson — 1970-2003
• Peter Linz — 2015-present
• Tyler Bunch — 2013

Hoots the Owl

• Kevin Clash — 1985-2012
• Christopher Hayes — 2019-present

Mr. Johnson

• Jerry Nelson — 1971-2012
• Matt Vogel — 2014-present
• David Rudman — The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999; all but one line looped)
• Martin P. Robinson — Episode 4140 (2007)

Lefty the Salesman

• Frank Oz — 1970-1974
• Caroll Spinney — Episode 0126, Episode 0129 (1970)
• Ryan Dillon — San Diego Comic-Con (2019), Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Little Bird

• Fran Brill — 1970-1993
• Jim Henson — 1969-1970
• Jerry Nelson — Episode 0456 (1973)
• Caroll Spinney — Episode 0559 (1973)
• Bob Payne — Episode 1199 (1978)
• Stephanie D'Abruzzo — Episode 5001 (2019), Episode 5010 (2020)

Louie

• Bill Barretta — 2006-2010
• Tyler Bunch — 2007-present
• Kevin Clash — Sing-Along Travel Songs (1996)

Mae

• Fran Brill — 2006-2014
• Stephanie D'Abruzzo — Episode 4063, Episode 4070 (2004), Episode 4920 (2019), The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (2020), Mae's Minute (2020)
• Jennifer Barnhart — Sesameworkshop.org online storybooks (2005)
• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph — Episode 4123 (2006)

Mama Bear

• Camille Bonora — 1993-1996
• Alice Dinnean — 1996-2002
• Jennifer Barnhart — 2003-present

Oscar the Grouch

• Caroll Spinney — 1969-2018
• Eric Jacobson — 2015-present
• Jim Henson — Episode 0084

Papa Bear

• Joey Mazzarino — 1992-2015
• Martin P. Robinson — 2020

Poco Loco

• Jerry Nelson — 1974-1978
• Michael Earl — 1980-1981

Prairie Dawn

• Fran Brill — 1971-2015
• Stephanie D'Abruzzo — 2016-present
• Marilyn Sokol — Sesame Street 4th of July (1976)

Roosevelt Franklin

• Matt Robinson — 1970-1975
• Chris Knowings — 2019

Sherry Netherland

• Julianne Buescher — 1993-1996
• Alice Dinnean — 1996-1998

Simon Soundman

• Jerry Nelson — 1970-1998
• Matt Vogel — 2020

Mr. Snuffleupagus

• Jerry Nelson — 1971-1978, "Don't Cry, Big Bird" audiobook (1983)
• Michael Earl — 1978-1981
• Martin P. Robinson — 1981-present

Sonny Friendly

• Richard Hunt — 1987-1992
• David Rudman — 1992-2000

Telly Monster

• Brian Muehl — 1980-1984
• Martin P. Robinson — 1984-present
• Bob Payne — 1979

Two-Headed Monster

• Richard Hunt and Jerry Nelson — 1978-1991
• David Rudman and Jerry Nelson — 1998-2000
• David Rudman and Joey Mazzarino — 2001-2016
• David Rudman and Eric Jacobson — 2016-present
• Peter Friedman and Richard Hunt — 1978
• Adam Hunt and Jerry Nelson — Let's Make a Word! (1995)
• Joey Mazzarino and Martin P. Robinson — Episode 4024 (2002)
• David Rudman and Stephanie D'Abruzzo — Episode 4733 (2017)

Zoe

• Fran Brill — 1993-2015
• Jennifer Barnhart — 2016-present

Fraggle Rock

Gobo Fraggle

• Jerry Nelson — 1983-1987
• John Tartaglia — 2013-present

Ma Gorg

• Myra Fried — 1983
• Cheryl Wagner — 1984-1987

Mokey Fraggle

• Kathryn Mullen — 1983-1987, 2013
• Donna Kimball — Puppets for Puppetry (2016), Fraggle Rock: Rock On! (2020), Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (2022)

Murray (Minstrel)

• Steve Whitmire — 1983-1984
• Gord Robertson — 1987

Storyteller Fraggle

• Terry Angus — 1984-1987
• Richard Hunt — 1983

Wembley Fraggle

• Steve Whitmire — 1983-1987, 2012
• Kevin Clash — Puppets for Puppetry (2016)
• Frankie Cordero — Fraggle Rock: Rock On! (2020)
• Jordan Lockhart — Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (2022)

Bear in the Big Blue House

Grandma Flutter

• Alice Dinnean — 1997-1998
• Vicki Eibner — 1998-2003

Jack the Dog

• Peter Linz — 2002-2003
• Dave Goelz — "A Berry Bear Christmas" (1999)

Pip

• Peter Linz — 1997-2003
• Joey Mazzarino — Test pilot (1997) (named Pummel)

Pop

• Tyler Bunch — 1997-2003
• David Rudman — Test pilot (1997)

The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat

• Bruce Lanoil — 1996-1997
• Martin P. Robinson — 1997-1998

Fox in Socks

• Bruce Lanoil — 1996-1997
• Tim Lagasse — 1998

Junior Kangaroo

• Kathryn Mullen — 1996-1997
• Tim Lagasse — 1997-1998

Little Cat A

• Kathryn Mullen — 1996-1997
• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph — 1997-1998

Morton the Elephant Bird

• Kathryn Mullen — 1996-1997
• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph — 1997-1998

See also

• Save the Muppets
• Sesame Street human recasts