Gonzo and Rizzo in front of Roosevelt's statue.
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (1858 – 1919), popularly known as Teddy, was an author, soldier, and the 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt first rose to prominence during the Spanish-American War, as leader of the cavalry unit popularly known as "The Rough Riders." This was followed by a political career, first as governor of New York and then as president. According to legend, his nickname also led to the name of a popular stuffed toy as "the teddy bear."
References[]
- Roosevelt has been depicted in multiple Muppet productions as a member of Mount Rushmore, along with Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. Roosevelt frequently utters cries of "Bully!" He was performed by Frank Oz in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.
- In the 1993 televised Inaugural Celebration for Children, following the election of Bill Clinton, Gonzo and Rizzo appeared in pre-taped "Presidential Information Moments," failed attempts to educate viewers about past presidents. In one segment, Gonzo reported that Theodore Roosevelt was over 150 feet tall: "The earth shook with his mighty footsteps! He had to comb his hair with an entire pine tree!"
- Fozzie Bear played "Teddy" in a 2014 Presidents Day video posted on Walt Disney Studios's Facebook page.
- In The Muppets episode "Too Hot to Handler", Roosevelt was the answer to a trivia question at Rowlf's Tavern: "Who succeeded President William McKinley after he was assassinated in 1901. Hint: it wasn't a dog; canine-Americans still can't hold public office."
- According to Howard Tubman in The Muppets episode "Because... Love", a member of Geri and the Atrics had an affair with Teddy Roosevelt.