Longtime Muppet performer Steve Whitmire will reportedly no longer be with the famed group. According to the Muppet fansite Tough Pigs, Disney has confirmed that Whitmire is no longer with the troupe and that Matt Vogel will take over as Whitmire’s most well-known character, Kermit the Frog. Somewhat ironically, Vogel, who has been with the Muppets since 1996 in various roles, performed as Kermit-impersonator Constantine in Muppets Most Wanted. Vogel’s debut as Kermit is expected in next week’s “Muppets Thought of the Week” video.
Whitmire career with the Muppets goes all the way back to the 70s. Over the years, he’s inherited various characters, including taking on the role of Kermit when Jim Henson passed. Some of his other favorites include Statler, Beaker, and Rizzo the Rat (which he originated).
