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Matt Vogel (puppeteer)

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For other people with the same name, see Matt Vogel (disambiguation).

Matt Vogel
Born
Matthew James Vogel

(1970-10-06) October 6, 1970 (age 53)
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Puppeteer
  • actor
  • director
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Kelly C. McDonnell
​
(m. 1997)​
Children5
Websitewww.mattvogel.com

Matthew James Vogel (born October 6, 1970)[1] is an American puppeteer, actor and director known for his work with Sesame Workshop and The Muppets Studio. He has been the performer of Kermit the Frog since 2017 and the full-time performer of Big Bird since 2018.

Career[edit]

Vogel began his puppeteering career at the Jim Henson Company in 1996, joining Sesame Street as an ensemble puppeteer. Since 2008, Vogel has served as a director on the program and was appointed puppet captain in 2012.[2]

In 1996, Vogel became the understudy performer for Big Bird, officially taking over the role in 2018 following Caroll Spinney's retirement.[3][4][5] Vogel also served as the assistant puppeteer for Ernie on Sesame Street, working alongside Whitmire. Following Jerry Nelson's passing in 2012, Vogel assumed performing duties for Count von Count.[4] Vogel has additionally performed Mr. Johnson, Biff, Herb the Dinosaur, Hansel, Forgetful Jones, Sherlock Hemlock, and one of the Yip-Yip Martians. Since 2013, Vogel has performed Alex, a Muppet addressing parental incarceration, for the Sesame Street in Communities initiative.[6]

Since 2008, Vogel has been a principal cast performer with the Muppets, inheriting many of Nelson's character roles. Vogel has performed the characters Floyd Pepper, Uncle Deadly, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Sweetums, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Pops, '80s Robot, and Constantine. In July 2017, Vogel was officially announced as the new performer for Kermit the Frog,[7] succeeding Steve Whitmire in the role. His first performance as Kermit was in a "Muppets Thought of the Week" segment on YouTube.[8] He performed Robin the Frog until 2017, when Peter Linz took over the role to allow Kermit and Robin to appear in scenes together.[2][7][9]

In 2016, Vogel voiced the character Wilkins in Alice Through the Looking Glass.[10]

Personal life[edit]

Vogel is originally from Kansas City, Kansas. As a child, he was a fan of both Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.[11] Vogel interned at Mesner Puppet Theater where he played his first role of Victor Frankenstein in Paul Mesner Puppets’ production of “Frankenstein” in 1993.[12] After 1993, he moved from Kansas City to New York.[9] Vogel has been married to his wife Kelly C. McDonnell since August 31, 1997; together they have five children.[12][13]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Production Role Other notes
1999 The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Big Bird Assistant performer
2008 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, Robin the Frog, Pigeon Son Performer; Television film
2011 The Muppets Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Robin the Frog Performer
2013 Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map Fred Jones Performer (puppetry only); Direct-to-DVD film
2014 Muppets Most Wanted Constantine, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Pops, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, '80s Robot, Camilla the Chicken, Uncle Deadly Performer
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story Self
2016 Alice Through the Looking Glass Wilkins Voice
2021 Muppets Haunted Mansion Kermit the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Pops, Crazy Harry, Lew Zealand, Uncle Deadly, Sweetums Performer; Halloween special for Disney+

Television[edit]

Year(s) Production Role Other notes
1996–present Sesame Street Big Bird (1998–present),[3] Count von Count (2013–present), Mr. Johnson (2014–present), Various characters Performer (also director)
1996 Elmo Saves Christmas Additional performer; Television special
1996–1998 Big Bag Additional performer
1998 The Puzzle Place Skye, Nuzzle Performer (season 3)
2000 Between the Lions Various characters Ensemble performer
2002–2007 Play with Me Sesame Ernie Assistant performer
2003–2005 Oobi Angus Performer[14]
2006 Blue's Room Alphabet Puppy Puppeteer
2007 Jack's Big Music Show Leonard the Country Squirrel Performer, Episode: "Leonard the Country Squirrel"
2008 Studio DC: Almost Live Camilla the Chicken, Floyd Pepper (puppetry only) Performer
2009 30 Rock Puppeteer,[15][16] Episode: "Apollo, Apollo"
2015–2016 The Muppets Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Robin the Frog Performer
2016 The Furchester Hotel Big Bird, Count von Count
Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas Count von Count, Constable/Mr. Johnson, Big Bird (puppetry only) Performer (also director); Television special
2019 Lip Sync Battle Big Bird Performer[17]
2020–2021 The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo Count von Count, Big Bird, Biff, Mr. Johnson Performer (also director)
2020 Amphibia Crumpet the Frog Voice role, Episode: "Swamp and Sensibility"

Credited as Kermit the Frog[18]

Muppets Now Kermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Cacti Performer
2021–2023 The Masked Singer Kermit the Frog, Snail,[19] Crazy Harry, Uncle Deadly, Big Bird, Count von Count 3 episodes; Contestant (season 5)[20]

Episodes: "Muppets Night", "Sesame Street Night"[21][22]

2021 Donkey Hodie King Friday Performer
A Capitol Fourth Kermit the Frog Performer; Television special
2022 Best in Snow Performer; Disney+ special[23]
2023 The Muppets Mayhem Floyd Pepper Performer; Main role

Other appearances[edit]

Year Title Role(s) Notes
2017 The Muppets Take the Bowl Kermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Snowth, Sweetums (voice) Performer, live show at the Hollywood Bowl, Sept. 8–10[24]
2018 The Muppets Take the O2 Performer, live show at the O2, Jul. 13–14[25]
2019 Muppet Babies Play Date Kermit the Frog (baby) Performer (puppetry only)
2021 The Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach[26] Kermit the Frog, Camilla the Chicken Voice, theme park show
2023 Disney Holidays in Hollywood[27] Kermit the Frog Voice, theme park show

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "What You Need to Know About Matt Vogel: The New Kermit". July 13, 2017. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Matt Vogel, Muppet Performer Behind Iconic Characters Kermit the Frog and Big Bird, Named Webster University's 2023 Commencement Speaker". news.webster.edu. February 6, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (December 8, 2019). "Sesame Street legend Caroll Spinney, who played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, dies at 85". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Vogel, Matt (October 13, 2016). "Matt Vogel is Big Bird". BBC. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  5. ^ "'Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration' HBO Review: Stream It or Skip It?". November 9, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  6. ^ The Associated Press (July 11, 2017). "Kermit the Frog gets a new voice after 27 years". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Petski, Denise (July 10, 2017). "Kermit the Frog Voice Actor Exiting After 27 Years". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ a b Gish, Sarah (July 2017). "KCK native Matt Vogel is the new voice of Kermit the Frog". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "Meet the Seconds: See exclusive images of Time's critters from 'Alice Through the Looking Glass'". EW.com. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Kansas City, Kansas, native Matt Vogel, thriving in prominent puppeteering roles". KSHB 41 Kansas City News. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Gish, Sarah. "KCK native Matt Vogel is the new voice of Kermit the Frog". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  13. ^ "Ten Minutes With Matt Vogel". Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  14. ^ "Matt Vogel". TV.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  15. ^ Staff (January 31, 2013). "So long, 30 Rock: We bid Liz Lemon adieu with some of our favourite show moments". National Post. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  16. ^ 30 Rock: Season 3 (Bonus Features — Behind-The-Scenes With The Muppets CD). Universal Studios Home Entertainment. 2009.
  17. ^ "Watch Big Bird On Lip Sync Battle - ToughPigs". web.archive.org. June 6, 2023. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 23, 2020). "Disney Channel Renews 'Amphibia' For Season 3; Kermit The Frog, Jenifer Lewis, George Takei And More To Guest Star On Season 2". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  19. ^ Matt Vogel [@welcomemattv] (March 11, 2021). "This is so sweet, dear Stephanie! Thanks, friend" (Tweet). Retrieved April 8, 2021 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Vogel, Matt [@welcomemattv] (March 11, 2021). "This is so sweet" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Seemeyer, Zach (October 26, 2022). "'The Masked Singer' Brings On The Muppets for a Wild Night With Two Big Unmaskings! (Recap)". Entertainment Tonight Online. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  22. ^ Schneider, Michael (March 15, 2023). "'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identities of the Squirrel and Jackalope: Here's Who They Are". Variety. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  23. ^ "Images | Disney Plus Press". web.archive.org. March 30, 2023. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  24. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (July 28, 2020). "It's Time to Re-Re-Re-Meet the Muppets". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  25. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (July 28, 2020). "It's Time to Re-Re-Re-Meet the Muppets". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  26. ^ "Video: The Muppet Christmas Caroling Coach Debuts at Disney Merriest Nites". laughingplace.com. November 11, 2021. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  27. ^ "PHOTOS, VIDEO:'Disney Holidays in Hollywood' Brings The Muppets to Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios". wdwnt.com. November 13, 2023. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.

External links[edit]

Preceded by
Adam Hunt
 Performer of Scooter
2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of Janice
2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of Camilla the Chicken
2008–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
None
 80s Robot[broken anchor]
2011–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
Rickey Boyd
 Performer of Crazy Harry
2008–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Floyd Pepper
2008–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Lew Zealand
2008–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Robin the Frog
2008–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of Sweetums
2009–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Pops
2011–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Uncle Deadly
2011–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Count von Count
2013–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Mr. Johnson
2016–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Kermit the Frog
2017–present 		Succeeded by
none
Preceded by Performer of Big Bird
1998–present 		Succeeded by
none
Preceded by
None
 Constantine[broken anchor]
2014–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Forgetful Jones
2019–present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Sherlock Hemlock
2011–present 		Succeeded by
None
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