Steve Whitmire

<h2 id="career">Career</h2>
Whitmire first appeared (unpaid) at a pre-show event at <a href="/facts/Six_Flags_Over_Georgia/sCXXetrl">Six Flags Over Georgia</a>. 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 "<a href="/facts/The_World_of_Sid_%2526_Marty_Krofft/n5fKMBdb">The World of Sid & Marty Krofft</a>" 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. <a href="/facts/WATL/4R5MkTlH">WATL</a> was owned at that time by former Atlanta <a href="/facts/Children%2527s_television_series/IIudw8LF">children's television</a> host <a href="/facts/Don_Kennedy/6lGjcDgR">"Officer Don" Kennedy</a>. Otis made appearances on various WATL 36 shows with Atlanta's Ludlow Porch, performing with the <a href="/facts/Georgia_Bulldogs_and_Lady_Bulldogs/yfpQm0tm">Georgia Bulldogs</a>' <a href="/facts/Larry_Munson/TMaXHKK9">Larry Munson</a>, Don Kennedy, and Entertainment Page host Artie Goodman. As Otis, Whitmire interviewed <a href="/facts/Olivia_Newton-John/n82tA0t5">Olivia Newton-John</a> during a tour promoting an album.
He worked with puppets after graduating high school, and eventually got a job working on <a href="/facts/The_Muppet_Show/mlUVIB4A">The Muppet Show</a> in 1978. Since then, Whitmire performed in almost every major Henson company project, including non-Muppet projects such as <a href="/facts/The_Dark_Crystal/E8jnrNIR">The Dark Crystal</a>, <a href="/facts/Labyrinth_(1986_film)/dK0CoBpT">Labyrinth</a>, and <a href="/facts/Dinosaurs_(TV_series)/3WyYIbsS">Dinosaurs</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a>

<h3>Characters performed</h3>

Whitmire was the second performer of two signature <a href="/facts/The_Muppets/yBIEx2oF">Muppets</a>—<a href="/facts/Kermit_the_Frog/r7thM9sK">Kermit the Frog</a> and <a href="/facts/Ernie_(Sesame_Street)/7brkYtkc">Ernie</a>—after the death of their creator and original performer <a href="/facts/Jim_Henson/srqup3Fg">Jim Henson</a> (with whom he shared a birthday) in 1990.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> Whitmire was personally asked by <a href="/facts/Brian_Henson/IWpb98JT">Brian Henson</a> and <a href="/facts/Jane_Henson/Hj9yRMSp">Jane Henson</a> to be Kermit's performer a few weeks after Jim Henson's death.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> <a href="/facts/Heather_Henson/vE1RqJXE">Heather Henson</a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a> Following <a href="/facts/Richard_Hunt_(puppeteer)/o8p5mppc">Richard Hunt</a>'s death and <a href="/facts/Jerry_Nelson/oe8cU7VL">Jerry Nelson</a>'s retirement, Whitmire took over the roles of <a href="/facts/Beaker_(Muppet)/Q9Uub7LB">Beaker</a> and <a href="/facts/Statler_and_Waldorf/1HaDTIXP">Statler</a>, respectively.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> In 2014, Billy Barkhurst took over the role of Ernie,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a> with <a href="/facts/Peter_Linz/YIWYNXuY">Peter Linz</a> taking over that role in 2017.
Muppet characters original to Whitmire include <a href="/facts/Rizzo_the_Rat/hdkpj9l0">Rizzo the Rat</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a> <a href="/facts/Dr._Teeth_and_the_Electric_Mayhem/4t5769l1">Lips</a> (the trumpet player from <a href="/facts/Dr._Teeth_and_the_Electric_Mayhem/4t5769l1">Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem</a>), <a href="/facts/Miss_Piggy/M2snKwCJ">Miss Piggy</a>'s dog Foo-Foo, <a href="/facts/Wembley_Fraggle/agEpcBBd">Wembley Fraggle</a> and Sprocket the Dog on <a href="/facts/Fraggle_Rock/vAWDweHd">Fraggle Rock</a>, and <a href="/facts/List_of_Muppets/cDLdEGQA">Bean Bunny</a>, a character that originated in <a href="/facts/The_Tale_of_the_Bunny_Picnic/WWlRDjKl">The Tale of the Bunny Picnic</a> (1986).
Whitmire voiced <a href="/facts/List_of_Muppets/cDLdEGQA">Link Hogthrob</a> in the <a href="/facts/Muppet_RaceMania/B0CdqN7l">Muppet RaceMania</a> and <a href="/facts/Muppets_Party_Cruise/Lq2RDDkN">Muppets Party Cruise</a> video games. He also performed Link for the 2011 film <a href="/facts/The_Muppets_(2011_film)/77hSDG0Y">The Muppets</a>. 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 <a href="/facts/Muppets_Most_Wanted/NPGF1h1h">Muppets Most Wanted</a>. In 2008, Whitmire took over another of Jim Henson's roles, <a href="/facts/List_of_Muppets/cDLdEGQA">The Muppet Newsman</a>.

<h3>Dismissal from the Muppets</h3>

In July 2017, <a href="/facts/The_Muppets_Studio/aygwJ63r">The Muppets Studio</a> announced that Whitmire was no longer involved with <a href="/facts/The_Muppets/yBIEx2oF">the Muppets</a> and that fellow Muppet performer <a href="/facts/Matt_Vogel_(puppeteer)/jwWQMxy4">Matt Vogel</a> was cast as Kermit's new performer.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> Whitmire stated that he was <a href="/facts/Dismissal_(employment)/U2HcvgcV">dismissed</a> from his roles in October 2016 because of undisclosed issues that he said had not been discussed before his dismissal. In their decision-making, <a href="/facts/The_Walt_Disney_Company/R8kCbAVc">Disney</a> (the parent company of The Muppets Studio) consulted the Henson family, who supported the recasting of Kermit and Whitmire's dismissal.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a>
<a href="/facts/Brian_Henson/IWpb98JT">Brian Henson</a> stated that issues with Whitmire began in the mid-1990s, and said that Whitmire would make "outrageous demands and often played <a href="/facts/Brinkmanship/6eRMHFd6">brinkmanship</a>", mentioning that "Steve would use 'I am now Kermit and if you want the Muppets, you better make me happy because the Muppets are Kermit.' And that is really not OK."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> He additionally stated that Whitmire would "send emails and letters attacking everyone, attacking the writing and attacking the director".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> 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".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> <a href="/facts/Lisa_Henson/xB5JlH55">Lisa Henson</a> stated that Whitmire was opposed to having an <a href="/facts/Understudy/K4rVyCVw">understudy</a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a> 
However, several of Whitmire's fellow Muppet performers have voiced support for him. In 2017, Mike Quinn defended Whitmire against the accusations, stating that he had never seen anything that Whitmire was accused of doing, and that Whitmire was a "great guy, friend, performer, and an amazing creative with a good heart." <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> In a 2017 episode of the <a href="/facts/Defunctland/Rr8FyErE">Defunctland</a> Podcast, <a href="/facts/Terri_Hardin/yyycnLJj">Terri Hardin</a>, longtime Muppet performer who is still with the Henson Company, alleged that Whitmire was fired for wanting to keep the integrity of the Muppet characters, and was smeared as "a diva" and "hard to work with" to justify his firing. She also mentions Disney wanting to replace as many Muppet performers as possible to make their own "Disney-approved" version of them, mainly through recasting.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a> <a href="/facts/Frank_Oz/uc4dqqnp">Frank Oz</a> spoke on the firing of Whitmire in a 2017 interview with Yahoo, stating "with Stevie it’s so sad, because the situation with Stevie was a pure business situation, as I understand it. I’d worked with Stevie since he was 18 years old, and on the floor he’s terrific. We had a lot of fun. So when he’s actually on the floor — I think it was something outside that. And it’s very sad."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a> The next year, in 2018, Oz stated in an interview with ToughPigs that he was "very sad about what happened with Steve", stating that "when Steve was on the set he was always a joy to work with."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a> Oz later stated in 2019 that he had invited Whitmire to be a part of his 2017 documentary The Muppet Guys Talking, but Whitmire was unable to attend.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a> In 2019, director and producer <a href="/facts/Kirk_Thatcher/XQyISGzH">Kirk Thatcher</a> stated that Whitmire was "a sweetheart on set, one of the easiest people to work with, and super giving with the other performers." <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a> In 2020, on Episode 5 of <a href="/facts/Bill_Barretta/wl3WSGKl">Bill Barretta</a>'s podcast "The Barretta Brothers", Barretta stated he loved and missed Whitmire and that he wasn't able to talk more about the situation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a> Later that same year, on Episode 23 of the Barretta Brothers podcast, <a href="/facts/Peter_Linz/YIWYNXuY">Peter Linz</a> was featured as the guest. When asked "Do y'all miss Steve [Whitmire]?", Barretta and Linz both stated that they "absolutely miss" Whitmire and they "love him to death",<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a> Barretta ending the question with "we miss the hell out of [Steve]" and Linz adding "we all do." In 2021, Whitmire was a guest on Episode 39 of the Baretta Brothers podcast, alongside many of his former Muppet performers, including Leif Tilden, Day Murch, Jane Gootnick, Bruce Lanoil, Michelan Sisti, Jill Thraves, Michael McFarlane, Kevin Clash, Terri Hardin, and John Kennedy. Other people involved with the Muppets and the Jim Henson Company who have shown they are still friendly with Whitmire include Muppet performer <a href="/facts/Noel_MacNeal/lmrGVrep">Noel MacNeal</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a> and writer <a href="/facts/Jim_Lewis_(writer)/r0CQzmGS">Jim Lewis</a>, who acted as a producer/writer on Steve’s live-stream show Cave-In. 
In an interview with <a href="/facts/The_Hollywood_Reporter/XUWEdhES">The Hollywood Reporter</a> that same month, Whitmire stated he was dismissed for disagreements over Kermit's characterization and prolonged labor union negotiations between Disney and <a href="/facts/SAG-AFTRA/8rPT3QYI">SAG-AFTRA</a> (of which Whitmire is a member) that delayed his involvement in Muppet productions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a> Whitmire alleged that Disney offered him what he called "consolation prizes" if he voluntarily left, including honoring him as a <a href="/facts/Disney_Legends/77MApB0G">Disney Legend</a>, under the public pretense that he would be retiring from performing.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a> In a statement released to <a href="/facts/The_New_York_Times/T9marWVX">The New York Times</a>, 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".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a> Whitmire expressed an interest in making amends and resuming his role with the Muppets in the future if possible.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33">33</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34">34</a> 
On June 6th, 2025, Whitmire attended a fan event for the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D, "A Glorious 3 Day Finale" where he joined some of his former Jim Henson Company coworkers, Imagineers, and even Heather Henson, making it the first time Whitmire was seen with one of the Henson children since his dismissal by Disney.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35">35</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36">36</a> On the following day, June 7th, Whitmire, Henson, and the other guests of the fan event then attended the final day of Muppet*Vision 3D together, where they screened the show several times and interacted with fans.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37">37</a> Whitmire was seen performing as Rizzo the Rat for the first time since his dismissal, using a fan's recreation Muppet.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38">38</a>

<h2 id="personal-life">Personal life</h2>
In June 1978, Whitmire married his wife Melissa. They met during his senior year at <a href="/facts/Berkmar_High_School/EDIpSIhc">Berkmar High School</a> in <a href="/facts/Lilburn%2c_Georgia/3Ts0qFA5">Lilburn, Georgia</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39">39</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40">40</a> They live in <a href="/facts/Atlanta/8hPVGb78">Atlanta</a>, <a href="/facts/Georgia_(U.S._state)/KKnTDY6F">Georgia</a>.

<h2 id="filmography">Filmography</h2>
<h3>Film</h3>
<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="4">Film credits</th></tr><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppet_Movie/dho1cINQ">The Muppet Movie</a></td><td>Additional Muppet performer</td><td>Puppeteer; Whitmire also makes an onscreen cameo as a man attending Bogen County Fair</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Great_Muppet_Caper/5Xchz1Ba">The Great Muppet Caper</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Rizzo_the_Rat/hdkpj9l0">Rizzo the Rat</a>, <a href="/facts/Dr._Teeth_and_the_Electric_Mayhem/4t5769l1">Lips</a></td><td>Puppeteer/voice</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Dark_Crystal/E8jnrNIR">The Dark Crystal</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Characters_and_races_of_The_Dark_Crystal/LJF2Stnz">skekTek the Scientist</a></td><td>Puppeteer</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_Take_Manhattan/xBLBurgP">The Muppets Take Manhattan</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Gil the Frog, Dog, additional characters</td><td>Puppeteer/voice</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td><a href="/facts/Dreamchild/p4mkWgfH">Dreamchild</a></td><td>The Caterpillar, Mock Turtle</td><td rowspan="2">Puppeteer only</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td><a href="/facts/Labyrinth_(1986_film)/dK0CoBpT">Labyrinth</a></td><td>The Four Guards, Firey 4, Ambrosius</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td><a href="/facts/A_Muppet_Family_Christmas/RvF38YF4">A Muppet Family Christmas</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Lips, <a href="/facts/List_of_Fraggle_Rock_characters/CrT6DVNL">Wembley Fraggle</a>, <a href="/facts/List_of_Fraggle_Rock_characters/CrT6DVNL">Sprocket the Dog</a>, and Christmas Turkey</td><td>Puppeteer/voice</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Witches_(1990_film)/NShtK1EQ">The Witches</a></td><td>Luke Mouse</td><td>Puppeteer Only</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppet_Christmas_Carol/uP7QVj3h">The Muppet Christmas Carol</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Lips, Sprocket, <a href="/facts/Beaker_(Muppet)/Q9Uub7LB">Beaker</a>, Belinda Cratchit, Laundress, additional characters</td><td rowspan="15">Puppeteer/voice</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td><a href="/facts/Billy_Bunny%2527s_Animal_Songs/Molb1dDE">Billy Bunny's Animal Songs</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppet_Treasure_Island/4pJUDTNS">Muppet Treasure Island</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Kermit the Frog, Beaker, The Dodo, Walleye Pike, Inkspots, Rats</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>123 Count with Me</td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td><a href="/facts/Elmopalooza/qMI6fCg7">Elmopalooza</a></td><td>Ernie, Kermit the Frog</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppets_from_Space/IXo4lJ7r">Muppets from Space</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Cosmic Fish #1, Alien Gonzo, Rainbow the Beach Hippie (on-screen cameo)</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Adventures_of_Elmo_in_Grouchland/GMKwYnkS">The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland</a></td><td>Ernie, Bad Humor Man, Football Stenchman, Sharon Groan, Stuckweed, Parrot</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td><a href="/facts/CinderElmo/XmRTto96">CinderElmo</a></td><td>Ernie, Kermit the Frog, and Prince the Dog</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td><a href="/facts/Kermit%2527s_Swamp_Years/10yXWTUS">Kermit's Swamp Years</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Young Kermit, Chico, Jack Rabbit</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td><a href="/facts/It%2527s_a_Very_Merry_Muppet_Christmas_Movie/H0wYClCH">It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Mr. Poodlepants</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets%2527_Wizard_of_Oz/TJj0Du46">The Muppets' Wizard of Oz</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Bean Bunny, Audience Member at Aunt Em's Diner (on-screen cameo)</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td><a href="/facts/Mr._Magorium%2527s_Wonder_Emporium/TC5lA4lQ">Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td><a href="/facts/Abby_in_Wonderland/NQEEqxHp">Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland</a></td><td>Ernie (as <a href="/facts/Tweedledum/TY140YVs">Tweedledum</a>)</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_(2011_film)/77hSDG0Y">The Muppets</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler, <a href="/facts/List_of_Muppets/cDLdEGQA">Link Hogthrob</a>, <a href="/facts/List_of_Muppets/cDLdEGQA">The Muppet Newsman</a>, Lips</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppets_Most_Wanted/NPGF1h1h">Muppets Most Wanted</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Foo-Foo, Statler, Beaker, Lips, Rizzo the Rat, Link Hogthrob, The Muppet Newsman, Andy Pig, gulag prisoner (on-screen cameo)</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Television</h3>
<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="4">Television credits</th></tr><tr><th>Year(s)</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr><tr><td>1978–1981</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppet_Show/mlUVIB4A">The Muppet Show</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Rizzo_the_Rat/hdkpj9l0">Rizzo the Rat</a>, <a href="/facts/Dr._Teeth_and_the_Electric_Mayhem/4t5769l1">Lips</a>, Foo-Foo, Fletcher Bird (voice), additional characters</td><td>Performer</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_Go_Hollywood/dGmocX7W">The Muppets Go Hollywood</a></td><td>Additional characters, extra</td><td>Performer/actor</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td><a href="/facts/John_Denver_and_the_Muppets%3a_A_Christmas_Together/UNQ7T3yE">John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together</a></td><td>Additional characters</td><td>Performer</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Fantastic_Miss_Piggy_Show/4E9Xse82">The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, back-up singer, additional characters</td><td>Performer/actor</td></tr><tr><td>1983–1987</td><td><a href="/facts/Fraggle_Rock/vAWDweHd">Fraggle Rock</a></td><td>Wembley Fraggle, Sprocket, Marlon Fraggle, Flange Doozer, Murray the Minstrel, Papa Tree Creature, Phil Fraggle (puppetry only), Crusty Doozer</td><td rowspan="6">Performer</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td><a href="/facts/Rocky_Mountain_Holiday/VSfmbf9d">Rocky Mountain Holiday</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Giant Man Eating Chicken</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets%3a_A_Celebration_of_30_Years/mtl7jQvr">The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, additional characters</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Christmas_Toy/pXVQXh3W">The Christmas Toy</a></td><td>Mew</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Tale_of_the_Bunny_Picnic/WWlRDjKl">The Tale of the Bunny Picnic</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Bean_Bunny/cDLdEGQA">Bean Bunny</a></td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td><a href="/facts/A_Muppet_Family_Christmas/RvF38YF4">A Muppet Family Christmas</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Lips, Sprocket, Christmas Turkey, Wembley Fraggle</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Inner Tube</td><td>Henry, Duke</td><td>Performer, unaired pilot</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Jim_Henson_Hour/NGKBgcAB">The Jim Henson Hour</a></td><td>Bean Bunny, Flash, Jacques Roach, Waldo C. Graphic, Yellow Extreme, additional characters</td><td rowspan="2">Performer</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_at_Walt_Disney_World/Cldo6GAf">The Muppets at Walt Disney World</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Lips, Foo Foo, Sprocket</td></tr><tr><td>1993–2014</td><td><a href="/facts/Sesame_Street/kejrLUeG">Sesame Street</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Ernie_(Sesame_Street)/7brkYtkc">Ernie</a> (1993–2014), <a href="/facts/Kermit_the_Frog/r7thM9sK">Kermit the Frog</a> (1996–2001; 2009), Dr. Feel and Additional characters</td><td>Performer/voice</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_Celebrate_Jim_Henson/ltIs66MV">The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, Kermit the Frog</td><td>Performer</td></tr><tr><td>1991–1994</td><td><a href="/facts/Dinosaurs_(TV_series)/3WyYIbsS">Dinosaurs</a></td><td>B.P. Richfield (puppetry), Robbie Sinclair (face), Chief Elder (face), Mr. Mason Dixon, Sonny Woody, Blarney, Judge H.T. Stone (puppetry)</td><td>Performer/puppeteer</td></tr><tr><td>1992–1993</td><td>Muppet Meeting Films</td><td>Flunky, Mr. Briteweight, Kermit the Frog</td><td rowspan="7">Performer</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td><a href="/facts/Sesame_Street_Stays_Up_Late!/DHw9094l">Sesame Street Stays Up Late!</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Ernie_(Sesame_Street)/7brkYtkc">Ernie</a></td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td><a href="/facts/Jim_Henson%2527s_Animal_Show/VGIehRw5">Jim Henson's Animal Show</a></td><td>Jake the Polar Bear, Wingo the Shoebill, Lawrence the Orangutan</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppet_Classic_Theater/sND4CSyF">Muppet Classic Theater</a></td><td>Rizzo the Rat, Kermit the Frog</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td><a href="/facts/Mr._Willowby%2527s_Christmas_Tree/FqN9vN90">Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree</a></td><td>Bear, Kermit the Frog, Owl</td></tr><tr><td>1996–1998</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppets_Tonight/5BXLX4Qd">Muppets Tonight</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Captain Pighead, Andy Pig, Mr. Poodlepants, additional characters</td></tr><tr><td>1998-2009</td><td><a href="/facts/Elmo%2527s_World/CWl7xGKz">Elmo's World</a></td><td>Ernie, Kermit the Frog</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td><a href="/facts/Family_Feud/VfjrrCd6">Family Feud</a></td><td>Kermit</td><td>Performer/Guest Contestant</td></tr><tr><td>2002-2007</td><td><a href="/facts/Play_With_Me_Sesame/GIsN2edS">Play With Me Sesame</a></td><td>Ernie</td><td>Performer (Season 1 only and Season 3 for non-US markets, excluding Season 2)</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td><a href="/facts/Studio_DC%3a_Almost_Live/VRtfT4M9">Studio DC: Almost Live</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Bean Bunny, Foo-Foo</td><td rowspan="2">Performer</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td><a href="/facts/A_Muppet_Christmas%3a_Letters_to_Santa/vYg4ghF3">A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td><a href="/facts/WWE_Raw/y2atJAts">WWE Raw</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Statler</td><td>Puppeteer</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td><a href="/facts/WWE_Tribute_to_the_Troops/Wt4UnIT1">WWE Tribute to the Troops</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat</td><td>Puppeteer</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td><a href="/facts/30_Rock/vj32gLns">30 Rock</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog</td><td>Puppeteer, Episode: "<a href="/facts/My_Whole_Life_Is_Thunder/t4XBCmff">My Whole Life Is Thunder</a>"</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td><a href="/facts/Good_Luck_Charlie/vQCwshFG">Good Luck Charlie</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog</td><td>Puppeteer/Guest Star, Episode: "Duncan Dream House"</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td><a href="/facts/Lady_Gaga_and_the_Muppets_Holiday_Spectacular/Q7puKXN9">Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler</td><td rowspan="3">Performer</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td><a href="/facts/Disney_Junior/qnSekPm5">Muppet Moments</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler, Sheep, Andy Pig, Foo-Foo, The Muppet Newsman</td></tr><tr><td>2015–2016</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_(TV_series)/8Ap1KhL7">The Muppets</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Lips, The Muppet Newsman, Andy Pig</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td><a href="/facts/Lego_Masters_(American_TV_series)/8bR9LHv0">Lego Masters</a></td><td>Willy</td><td>Performer, (2 episodes)</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Video games</h3>
<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="4">Video games</th></tr><tr><th>Year(s)</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>Muppet Treasure Island</td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Walleye Pike</td><td rowspan="14">Voice role<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41">41</a></td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>The Muppets CD-Rom: Muppets Inside</td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Sesame Street: Baby and Me</td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td><a href="/facts/Elmo%2527s_Number_Journey/09GXVXzP">Elmo's Number Journey</a></td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td><a href="/facts/Elmo%2527s_Letter_Adventure/09GXVXzP">Elmo's Letter Adventure</a></td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Sesame Street: The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland</td><td>Football Stenchman</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Sesame Street Music Maker</td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Sesame Street: Ernie's Adventure in Space</td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppet_Race_Mania/B0CdqN7l">Muppet Race Mania</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Gil, Link Hogthrob, Flange Doozer</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppet_Monster_Adventure/KlLQ463S">Muppet Monster Adventure</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Sesame Street Sports</td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Sesame Street Preschool</td><td>Ernie</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppets_Party_Cruise/Lq2RDDkN">Muppets Party Cruise</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Andy Pig, Bean Bunny, Link Hogthrob</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>Bert and Ernie's Imagination Adventure</td><td>Ernie</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Other appearances</h3>
<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="4">Other credits</th></tr><tr><th>Year(s)</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td><a href="/facts/Muppet*Vision_3D/VLoJ6xfF">Muppet*Vision 3D</a></td><td>Waldo C. Graphic, Bean Bunny, Rizzo the Rat</td><td>Performer, theme park film</td></tr><tr><td>2005–2006</td><td><a href="/facts/Statler_and_Waldorf%3a_From_the_Balcony/dkvfqf2d">Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony</a></td><td>Statler (Ep. 1-8)</td><td rowspan="2">Performer</td></tr><tr><td>2008–2009</td><td>Muppet <a href="/facts/YouTube/db276jst">YouTube</a> Shorts</td><td>Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler, Rabbits, Pumpkins, Penguins, Turkey</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Disney's Honorary VoluntEars Cavalcade</td><td>Kermit the Frog</td><td>Voice, theme park parade</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_Kitchen_with_Cat_Cora/3cF1IwJd">The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Andy Pig, Foo-Foo, The Muppet Newsman</td><td rowspan="3">Performer</td></tr><tr><td>2013–2014</td><td>Muppisodes<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42">42</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Statler</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td><a href="/facts/Movies_Anywhere/d8lCbhPM">Disney Drive-On with The Muppets</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43">43</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td><a href="/facts/The_Muppets_Present...Great_Moments_in_American_History/danSe7KX">The Muppets Present...Great Moments in American History</a></td><td>Kermit the Frog</td><td>Voice, theme park show</td></tr><tr><td>2019–2022</td><td>CAVE-iN</td><td>Weldon the I.T. Guy</td><td>Performer, Internet videos</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steve Whitmire.

<ul><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0926209/">Steve Whitmire</a> at <a href="/facts/IMDb_(identifier)/uWrqVYVy">IMDb</a></li>
<li><a href="https://community.fandom.com/wiki/w:c:muppet:Steve_Whitmire">Steve Whitmire</a> on <a href="https://community.fandom.com/wiki/w:c:muppet">Muppet Wiki</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
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<li id="fn:2">Lloyd, Robert (May 16, 2015). "If Harry Shearer leaves 'The Simpsons,' what will happen? Just ask Bugs Bunny". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-critics-notebook-voices-carry-20150515-column.html" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-critics-notebook-voices-carry-20150515-column.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Alter, Ethan (March 24, 2016). "What It Was Like to Star in ABC's Family Sitcom 'Dinosaurs". YahooTV. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2017. <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/tv/what-it-was-like-to-star-in-abcs-family-sitcom-232638308.html" target="_blank">https://www.yahoo.com/tv/what-it-was-like-to-star-in-abcs-family-sitcom-232638308.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Cosores, Philip (September 10, 2015). "Read This: What's it like to take Jim Henson's place?". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2017. <a href="http://www.avclub.com/article/read-whats-it-take-jim-hensons-place-225152" target="_blank">http://www.avclub.com/article/read-whats-it-take-jim-hensons-place-225152</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Parker, Ryan (July 18, 2017). "Jim Henson's Son Explains Why Kermit Actor Was Replaced". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jim-hensons-son-explains-why-kermit-actor-was-replaced-character-could-use-change-1022041" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jim-hensons-son-explains-why-kermit-actor-was-replaced-character-could-use-change-1022041</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Irwin, Jon (September 2015). "On the Other Hand". Longreads. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015. <a href="http://blog.longreads.com/2015/09/10/on-the-other-hand/" target="_blank">http://blog.longreads.com/2015/09/10/on-the-other-hand/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Plume, Kenneth (July 19, 1999). "Muppet Central Articles - Interviews: Steve Whitmire". muppetcentral.com. Retrieved January 6, 2018. <a href="http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/whitmire1.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/whitmire1.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Garlen, Jennifer (September 10, 2015). Kermit Culture: Critical Perspectives on Jim Henson's Muppets. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 220–221. ISBN 9780786453757. Retrieved April 10, 2014. <a href="9780786453757" target="_blank">9780786453757</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">"Season 46 Billy - Season 46". www.sesameworkshop.org. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. <a href="http://www.sesameworkshop.org/season46/behind-the-scenes/puppeteer-bios/billy-2/" target="_blank">http://www.sesameworkshop.org/season46/behind-the-scenes/puppeteer-bios/billy-2/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">"Voice Of Rizzo the Rat". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014. <a href="http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/The-Muppets/Rizzo-the-Rat/" target="_blank">http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/The-Muppets/Rizzo-the-Rat/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Conradt, Stacy (January 1, 2009). "The Stories Behind 20 Muppet Favorites". Mental Floss. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014. <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/20492/stories-behind-20-muppet-favorites" target="_blank">http://mentalfloss.com/article/20492/stories-behind-20-muppet-favorites</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Parker, Ryan (July 10, 2017). "Longtime Kermit the Frog Voice Actor Replaced After 27 Years". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/longtime-kermit-frog-voice-actor-replaced-27-years-1019780" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/longtime-kermit-frog-voice-actor-replaced-27-years-1019780</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">Dab, Sopan; Haigney, Sophie (July 17, 2017). "Kermit the Frog Performer and Disney Spar Over an Ugly 'Muppet' Firing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Parker, Ryan (July 18, 2017). "Jim Henson's Son Explains Why Kermit Actor Was Replaced". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jim-hensons-son-explains-why-kermit-actor-was-replaced-character-could-use-change-1022041" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jim-hensons-son-explains-why-kermit-actor-was-replaced-character-could-use-change-1022041</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Dab, Sopan; Haigney, Sophie (July 17, 2017). "Kermit the Frog Performer and Disney Spar Over an Ugly 'Muppet' Firing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Parker, Ryan (July 18, 2017). "Jim Henson's Son Explains Why Kermit Actor Was Replaced". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jim-hensons-son-explains-why-kermit-actor-was-replaced-character-could-use-change-1022041" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jim-hensons-son-explains-why-kermit-actor-was-replaced-character-could-use-change-1022041</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Dab, Sopan; Haigney, Sophie (July 17, 2017). "Kermit the Frog Performer and Disney Spar Over an Ugly 'Muppet' Firing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"Doing What is Best for The Muppets, Part 2". Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170905113150/https://stevewhitmire-muppetpundit.com/2017/08/21/doing-what-is-best-for-the-muppets-part-2/#comment-2488" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20170905113150/https://stevewhitmire-muppetpundit.com/2017/08/21/doing-what-is-best-for-the-muppets-part-2/#comment-2488</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">Perjurer, Kevin. "Defunctland Podcast Ep. 6: The Country Bears and Everything Else". Defunctland. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izU0qnQ7Cic&t=1993s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izU0qnQ7Cic&t=1993s</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">Perjurer, Kevin. "Ep. 6: The Country Bears and Everything Else". PodBean. Defunctland. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://defunctland.podbean.com/e/ep-6-the-country-bears-and-everything-else/" target="_blank">https://defunctland.podbean.com/e/ep-6-the-country-bears-and-everything-else/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">Watkins, Gwynne (October 20, 2017). "Frank Oz admits 'it hurt' to give up Muppets, says they'll never be as 'touching and soulful' (exclusive)". Yahoo. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/frank-oz-admits-hurt-give-muppets-says-theyll-never-touching-soulful-185840501.html" target="_blank">https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/frank-oz-admits-hurt-give-muppets-says-theyll-never-touching-soulful-185840501.html</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">Hennes, Joe. "Let's Get Frank: Frank Oz's "Ask Me Anything"". ToughPigs. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://www.toughpigs.com/ask-frank/" target="_blank">https://www.toughpigs.com/ask-frank/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">A., Mary. "FAQ About the Disney/Whitmire Schism". Frog of La Mancha. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://frogoflamancha.blog/2020/07/22/faq-about-the-disney-whitmire-schism/" target="_blank">https://frogoflamancha.blog/2020/07/22/faq-about-the-disney-whitmire-schism/</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"Muppet Masters Q&A". GalaxyCon Louisville. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://youtube.com/IXyv-MxGRmU" target="_blank">https://youtube.com/IXyv-MxGRmU</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">A., Mary. "FAQ About the Disney/Whitmire Schism". Frog of La Mancha. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://frogoflamancha.blog/2020/07/22/faq-about-the-disney-whitmire-schism/" target="_blank">https://frogoflamancha.blog/2020/07/22/faq-about-the-disney-whitmire-schism/</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">"Ep-05. Frank Oz and Dave Goelz. 06/20/20. The Barretta Brothers". The Barretta Brothers. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://youtube.com/cMR5xwLSVCc" target="_blank">https://youtube.com/cMR5xwLSVCc</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:27">"The Barretta Brothers - Ep-23. Peter Linz". The Barretta Brothers. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://youtube.com/9A4TbBp_RlY?t=3747" target="_blank">https://youtube.com/9A4TbBp_RlY?t=3747</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">MacNeal, Noel. "Three reasons @ricomiccon was so much fun to attend!". Instagram. Retrieved June 20, 2025. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4a9XdSjBjw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/B4a9XdSjBjw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">Parker, Ryan (July 17, 2017). "Disney Says It Fired Kermit the Frog Actor Over "Unacceptable Business Conduct"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-says-fired-kermit-frog-actor-unacceptable-business-conduct-1021701" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-says-fired-kermit-frog-actor-unacceptable-business-conduct-1021701</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:30">Bacle, Ariana (July 20, 2017). "Kermit the Frog actor blames firing on 'being outspoken'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 20, 2017. <a href="http://ew.com/tv/2017/07/20/kermit-frog-steve-whitmire-fired-outspoken/" target="_blank">http://ew.com/tv/2017/07/20/kermit-frog-steve-whitmire-fired-outspoken/</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:31">Dab, Sopan; Haigney, Sophie (July 17, 2017). "Kermit the Frog Performer and Disney Spar Over an Ugly 'Muppet' Firing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/arts/television/kermit-the-frog-disney-firing.html</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:32">Parker, Ryan (July 13, 2017). "Kermit the Frog Muppeteer Says Disney Fired Him". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/kermit-frog-muppeteer-says-he-was-fired-by-disney-1020466" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/kermit-frog-muppeteer-says-he-was-fired-by-disney-1020466</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:33">Whitmire, Steve (July 13, 2017). "It's Time To Get Things Started…". Muppet Pundit. Steve Whitmire. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017. <a href="https://stevewhitmire-muppetpundit.com/2017/07/11/its-time-to-get-things-started/" target="_blank">https://stevewhitmire-muppetpundit.com/2017/07/11/its-time-to-get-things-started/</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:34">Fired Kermit The Frog Puppeteer: It Was 'A Huge Shock' | TODAY, retrieved February 22, 2021 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdCVLPTiYtg" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdCVLPTiYtg</a> <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:35">"Special Guests". A Glorious 3 Day Finale - Presented by WDW News Today. WDW News Today. Retrieved June 13, 2025. <a href="https://agloriousfinale.com/special-guests/" target="_blank">https://agloriousfinale.com/special-guests/</a> <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:36">Corless, Tom. "Legendary Muppet Performer Steve Whitmire Among Talents & Former Imagineers Gathering for MuppetVision 3D Farewell Event". WDW News Today. WDW News Today. Retrieved June 13, 2025. <a href="https://wdwnt.com/2025/05/legendary-muppet-performer-steve-whitmire-among-talents-former-imagineers-gathering-for-muppetvision-3d-farewell-event/" target="_blank">https://wdwnt.com/2025/05/legendary-muppet-performer-steve-whitmire-among-talents-former-imagineers-gathering-for-muppetvision-3d-farewell-event/</a> <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:37">Guerilus, Stephanie (June 8, 2025). "Jim Henson's Daughter Makes Rare Public Appearance to Join Fans at the Closing of Muppet Vision 3D at Disney World". People Magazine. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved June 13, 2025. <a href="https://people.com/jim-henson-daughter-heather-makes-rare-public-appearance-at-closing-of-muppet-vision-3d-disney-world-11750361" target="_blank">https://people.com/jim-henson-daughter-heather-makes-rare-public-appearance-at-closing-of-muppet-vision-3d-disney-world-11750361</a> <a href="#fnref:37" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:38">"Steve having some fun with a replica of Rizzo the Rat,.. on the last day of Muppet Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo and the courtyard being open". Instagram. Retrieved June 13, 2025. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2MPpjM8wC/?hl=en" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2MPpjM8wC/?hl=en</a> <a href="#fnref:38" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:39">Irwin, Jon (September 2015). "On the Other Hand". longreads.com. Automattic. Retrieved August 4, 2020. <a href="https://longreads.com/2015/09/10/on-the-other-hand/" target="_blank">https://longreads.com/2015/09/10/on-the-other-hand/</a> <a href="#fnref:39" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:40">Hennes, Joe (October 15, 2008). "My Week with Steve: Day 4". ToughPigs.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014. <a href="http://www.toughpigs.com/my-week-with-steve-day-4/" target="_blank">http://www.toughpigs.com/my-week-with-steve-day-4/</a> <a href="#fnref:40" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:41">"Steve Whitmire (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors (A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information). <a href="https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Steve-Whitmire/" target="_blank">https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Steve-Whitmire/</a> <a href="#fnref:41" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:42">Graser, Marc (December 6, 2013). "Watch: The Muppets Star in New Series of 'Muppisodes'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013. <a href="https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/watch-the-muppets-star-in-new-series-of-muppisodes-1200926802/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/watch-the-muppets-star-in-new-series-of-muppisodes-1200926802/</a> <a href="#fnref:42" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:43">Graser, Marc (August 1, 2014). "Disney Launches The Muppets Digital Series". Variety. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014. <a href="https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/disney-the-muppets-series-1201273738/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/disney-the-muppets-series-1201273738/</a> <a href="#fnref:43" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Steve Whitmire open-in-new

Steve Whitmire