Kermit the frog - who is he ?

Kermit the Frog is a Muppet who was first introduced in 1955 and is one of puppeteer Jim Henson’s most famous and beloved creations. Kermit was performed by Henson until his death in 1990. Since then, he has been performed by Steve Whitmire. He was voiced by Frank Welker in Muppet Babies.

An early version of Kermit appeared in 1955, in a 5-minute puppet show for WRC-TV’s 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. 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.

Kermit had his big break later in 1969 with frequent appearances on Sesame Street, often as a news reporter interviewing nursery rhyme characters. One of his most memorable works was the song “Bein’ Green” from this series. Closely identified with the show Sesame Street, Kermit appeared frequently enough on the show to be considered a member of the regular cast along with Big Bird. Kermit’s song “The Rainbow Connection” was also a big hit from The Muppet Movie and, for some time, had become something of a signature song for The Jim Henson Company (it is also the only movie song sung by a “frog” to be nominated for an Academy Award).

On April 2, 1979, Kermit guest-hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. That same year Kermit and creator Henson spoke at ventriloquist Edgar Bergen’s funeral. Kermit published One Frog Can Make A Difference, Kermit’s Guide to Life in 1993 in hardcover with Pocket Books. In 1996, he gave a commencement speech at Southampton College in which he emphasized his environmentalist side. In 2001 he appeared in the TV show 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. [1] Kermit, known around the world as a master of ceremonies, comic and crusader for tolerance can be seen at the National Museum of American History.