Kermit the Frog

Kermit the Frog is a Muppet character and one of puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous creations. Kermit was performed by Henson until his death in 1990. Since then, he has been performed by puppeteer Steve Whitmire.

Related Topics:
Muppet - Puppeteer - Jim Henson - 1990 - Steve Whitmire

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An early version of Kermit appeared in 1955, in a five minute puppet show for WRC-TV Sam and Friends. The prototype Kermit was created from a green ladies' coat that Henson's mother had thrown in the trash can, and two ping-pong balls for eyes. He and Rowlf, also created from scraps, were Henson's first puppets. The early Kermit was a sort of lizard-like creature; Kermit's first appearance as a frog was in the television special Hey Cinderella in 1969, and he's been a frog ever since.

Related Topics:
1955 - WRC-TV - Sam and Friends - Rowlf - Frog - 1969

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kermit had his big break in 1971, with frequent appearances on Sesame Street as a news reporter interviewing nursery rhyme characters. One of his most memorable works was the song "Bein' Green". Kermit's song "The Rainbow Connection" was also a big hit from The Muppet Movie and has become the signature song of The Jim Henson Company.

Related Topics:
1971 - Sesame Street - Bein' Green - The Rainbow Connection - The Muppet Movie - The Jim Henson Company

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1979, Kermit and creator Henson spoke at ventriloquist Edgar Bergen's funeral. In 1996, he gave a commencement speech at Southampton College in which he came out as an environmentalist. In 2001 he appeared in the TV show Hollywood Squares.

Related Topics:
1979 - Edgar Bergen - Southampton College - Hollywood Squares

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kermit also served as the mascot for The Jim Henson Company, until the sale of the Muppet characters to The Walt Disney Company.

Related Topics:
The Jim Henson Company - The Walt Disney Company

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A statue of Henson and Kermit was erected on the campus of Henson's alma mater, the University of Maryland, College Park.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~