Kermit the Frog
Anthropomorphic green frog and pragmatic everyman of the Muppets.
Kermit the Frog, a green, anthropomorphic Muppet, first appeared in 1955 with Jim Henson as his original performer. He functions as the sensible, ordinary central figure in many Muppet projects, most famously as the host and producer of *The Muppet Show* and as a regular on *Sesame Street*. For over fifty years, he has been a globally recognized figure in popular culture, appearing in television series, films, specials, and public service announcements. He also served as a mascot for The Jim Henson Company until 2004, when Disney acquired the character.
Kermit recorded the hit songs "Bein' Green" (1970) for *Sesame Street* and "Rainbow Connection" (1979) for *The Muppet Movie*, the Muppets' first feature film. The original "Rainbow Connection" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2021. Henson performed Kermit until his death in 1990; Steve Whitmire then took over until 2016, and Matt Vogel has performed the role since 2017. Frank Welker voiced Kermit in *Muppet Babies* and some other animated projects, while Matt Danner voiced him in the 2018 *Muppet Babies* reboot. In 2006, an "autobiography" titled *Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons* was credited to the character.
The character first appeared on WRC-TV's *Sam and Friends* and other local programs. This early version was made from a discarded turquoise coat belonging to Henson's mother and ping pong ball halves for eyes. Initially a vague lizard-like creature, Kermit was established as a frog in the 1969 special *Hey, Cinderella!*, when a triangular-pointed collar was added to make him look more frog-like and hide the seam between his head and body. Michael K. Frith noted that the puppet's simple design lets the performer create a wide range of expressions and gestures.
The name's origin is debated. Some say Kermit was named after Henson's childhood friend Kermit Scott from Mississippi, but Jim Henson Legacy archivist Karen Falk denies this, stating Henson simply liked the sound of the name. Joy DiMenna, daughter of sound engineer Kermit Kalman Cohen, recalls that the puppet was named after her father. According to Cohen's obituary and colleagues, Henson heard Cohen's name during a studio tour and said, "That's what we call the frog – Kermit." Another belief links the name to designer Kermit Love, but Love's work with Henson began after Kermit's creation, and he denied any connection. In different markets, Kermit is renamed: in Portugal, Cocas, o Sapo; in Brazil, Caco, o Sapo; in most of Hispanic America, la rana René; in Spain, Gustavo; in Arabic, Kamel; and in Hungary, Breki.
Jim Henson described Kermit as "kind of easy-going, very likable...sometimes slightly a wiseguy." Frank Oz noted Kermit's natural leadership, saying he tries to hold the chaotic Muppet world together but sometimes gets overwhelmed. Brian Henson said his father's performance reflected his own personality—wry, a bit naughty, but loving and fond of pranks. Kermit has been called Henson's "soft-spoken alter-ego," and agent Bernie Brillstein stated, "Kermit was Jim." Author Brian Jay Jones observed that the more Henson performed Kermit, the more the two became intertwined.
- created
- 1955
- creator
- Jim Henson
- first_performer
- Jim Henson (1955–1990)
- subsequent_performers
- Steve Whitmire (1990–2016), Matt Vogel (2017–present)
- field
- Puppetry, television, film, music
- known_for
- Host of The Muppet Show, featured role on Sesame Street, hit singles 'Bein' Green' and 'Rainbow Connection'
Lore & Background
Kermit first appeared on local programs and commercials broadcast on WRC-TV, most notably Sam and Friends. This prototype Kermit was created from a discarded turquoise spring coat belonging to Jim Henson's mother and two ping pong ball halves for eyes. Initially a vague lizard-like creature, his status as a frog was established in the television special Hey, Cinderella! in 1969, when his triangular-pointed collar was added to make him seem more frog-like and conceal the seam between his head and body. The origin of Kermit's name is disputed. It is often claimed he was named after Henson's childhood friend Kermit Scott, but archivist Karen Falk denies this, stating Henson merely liked the sound of the name. Another account holds that the puppet was named after sound engineer Kermit Kalman Cohen, whom Henson met during a studio tour. A third belief links the name to designer Kermit Love, though Love's association with Henson began after Kermit's creation and he denied any connection. Jim Henson performed Kermit until his death in 1990. Steve Whitmire then performed the character until his dismissal in 2016, after which Matt Vogel became the performer in 2017. Kermit has also been voiced by Frank Welker in Muppet Babies and by Matt Danner in the 2018 reboot of Muppet Babies.
Reader's Guide
Kermit the Frog is a central figure in the Muppet franchise, serving as the pragmatic host of The Muppet Show and a beloved character on Sesame Street. Kermit has appeared in numerous television series, feature films, specials, and public service announcements, and served as a mascot of The Jim Henson Company until 2004, when the character was acquired by The Walt Disney Company. In 2006, an 'autobiography' titled Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons was credited to the character. Kermit's enduring popularity over more than half a century is reflected in dozens of honors and awards from various organizations. The character's simple puppet construction, as noted by Michael K. Frith, allows a wide range of expression and gestures, contributing to his iconic status.
Did You Know?
- Kermit was originally created from a discarded turquoise spring coat and two ping pong ball halves for eyes.
- His triangular-pointed collar was added in 1969 to make him seem more frog-like and conceal the seam between his head and body.
- The origin of Kermit's name is disputed; it may have come from a childhood friend, a sound engineer, or designer Kermit Love, though all claims are contested.
- Kermit's performance of 'Rainbow Connection' was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kermit the Frog?
Kermit is an anthropomorphic green frog who serves as the grounded, down-to-earth everyman at the center of the Muppet universe. He was created by Jim Henson in 1955 and has since become the most recognizable face of the brand across television, film, and music.
Who has performed Kermit the Frog over the years?
Jim Henson brought the character to life from 1955 until his death in 1990. Steve Whitmire then took over the role from 1990 to 2016, and Matt Vogel has been the performer behind Kermit from 2017 to the present.
What are Kermit the Frog's most famous songs?
His two signature musical numbers are "Bein' Green" and "Rainbow Connection," the latter of which became a massive pop hit from The Muppet Movie in 1979. Both tracks capture his voice as a character who finds quiet meaning in small, everyday moments.
What is Kermit's role on The Muppet Show?
Kermit functions as the straight-man host and de facto showrunner, keeping the chaos of the Muppet ensemble in check while introducing acts and managing backstage mayhem. He is the audience's anchor point throughout every episode.
Why is Kermit the Frog culturally significant?
As the longest-running and most widely recognized Muppet, Kermit has served as the public face of the franchise for over sixty years across multiple media. His pragmatic, slightly anxious personality makes him relatable to both children and adults, and his presence spans children's programming, sketch comedy, film, and music.
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