Steve Whitmire (b. September 24, 1959) is a puppeteer who started working for The Jim Henson Company on March 24, 1978 (his 18½ birthday). His career with the Muppets began on The Muppet Show, where he developed his first major character, Rizzo the Rat. Other main characters included Bean Bunny and, on Fraggle Rock, Wembley Fraggle and Sprocket. When Jim Henson passed away in 1990, Whitmire was selected to take over the roles of Kermit the Frog and Ernie. Following Richard Hunt's death and Jerry Nelson's retirement, he took over the roles of Beaker and Statler, respectively. He worked with the Muppets until October 2016.
Fan Casting
Rizzo the Rat
Foo-Foo
Lips
Bean Bunny
Kermit the Frog
Beaker
Link Hogthrob
Statler
The Newsman
Ernie
Wembley Fraggle
Sprocket
Waldo C. Graphic
Timmy Monster
Dr. Feel
Walleye Pike
Mr. Poodlepants
Murray (Minstrel)
Shakey Sanchez
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