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The Muppets are an ensemble group of comedic puppet characters originally created by Jim Henson. The Muppets have appeared in multiple television series, films, and other media appearances since the 1950s. The majority of the characters listed here originated on The Muppet Show, a television series that aired from 1976 to 1981. Since then, several more characters have been introduced in other television series, as well as theatrical films. The first Muppet characters appeared in Sam and Friends, a Washington, D.C.–based show which was broadcast from 1955 to 1961. Kermit the Frog was one of the show's regulars, and thus was one of Henson's first Muppet creations. The characters became a household name after their appearance in the children's television program Sesame Street. Henson was initially reluctant to become involved with Sesame Street because he feared being pigeon-holed as a children's performer, but agreed to work on the show to further his social goals.: 5  Henson's company owned the characters created for Sesame Street until 2000; since 2001, they have instead been owned by Sesame Workshop and are now considered a separate franchise. These characters have been owned by The Muppets Studio, a division of The Walt Disney Company, after Disney acquired the characters from The Jim Henson Company in 2004. Main characters Kermit the Frog Performed by Jim Henson (1955–1990), Steve Whitmire (1990–2016), Matt Vogel (2017–present) A pragmatic frog who is the straight man protagonist and de facto leader of the Muppets. Created by Jim Henson and introduced in 1955 on Sam and Friends, Kermit, arguably Henson's best-known character, quickly became the de facto face of the franchise, including regularly appearing on Sesame Street, sometimes as a reporter. He starred on The Muppet Show, as the showrunner, responsible for managing the show's production, and has appeared in every Muppet-branded production since. Jim Henson was Kermit's performer from his debut until Henson's death in 1990. Steve Whitmire assumed the role and continued to perform Kermit until 2016. Matt Vogel replaced Whitmire in 2017. Miss Piggy Performed by Frank Oz (1976–2002), Eric Jacobson (2001–present) A temperamental diva pig who is the Muppets' break-out and "authentic superstar".: 28  Until 2015, she was the romantic significant other of Kermit. Authors Maryanne Fisher and Anthony Cox call Piggy "uniquely strong and feminine", but "domineering and demanding." She was designed and built by Bonnie Erickson. Debuted in a 1974 Herb Alpert television special, where she was performed by Jerry Nelson. She is Oz's best-known character.: 103  Fozzie Bear Performed by Frank Oz (1976–2000), Eric Jacobson (2002–present) An insecure, stand-up comic bear introduced in The Muppet Show. Fozzie's characterization was created by Frank Oz, who performed the character from his debut in 1976 until Oz's retirement in 2000. Eric Jacobson has performed the character since then. Finch calls Fozzie "a sweetly insecure and absolutely terrible comedian". According to Oz, Fozzie is such a bad comedian that he "can't afford good joke writers, and he can't write good jokes himself but still a good character". He was designed by Michael K. Frith.: 102  Gonzo the Great Performed by Dave Goelz (1976–present) An eccentric, hooked-nosed creature and stunt performance enthusiast who debuted in The Great Santa Claus Switch in 1970 as the Cigar Box Frackle. A running gag is that Gonzo's species is unknown. In past Muppets films and series, he was called a "whatever" and in Muppet Babies, Gonzo was known as a weirdo. In Muppets from Space, Gonzo is shown to be an alien. He was created by Dave Goelz, who has performed Gonzo since his inception. Rowlf the Dog Performed by Jim Henson (1962–1990), Bill Barretta (1996–present) An easygoing pianist dog who first appeared in Purina Dog Chow commercials. He was designed by Jim Henson. He then appeared in The Jimmy Dean Show, as Jimmy Dean's sidekick. Finch calls Rowlf "the first fully rounded character performed by Jim Henson", and also calls him "wonderfully down-to-earth, with a dry, self-deprecating sense of humor" and "a master of the double take." He was built by Don Sahlin: 32–33  Scooter Performed by Richard Hunt (1976–1991), Adam Hunt (voice only, 1999), Matt Vogel (2000), Julianne Buescher (2001), Brian Henson (2002–2003), Rickey Boyd (2005), David Rudman (2008–present) The loyal stage manager and gofer of the Muppet Theatre. Richard Hunt based Scooter's voice and personality on how he remembered himself when he was younger. He was designed by Michael K. Frith. Debuted in the first season of The Muppet Show.: 83  Pepe the King Prawn Performed by Bill Barretta A scheming and sassy Latino king prawn, Pepe was introduced in Muppets Tonight, where he and Seymour would often work as elevator operators and commissary cooks. His first theatrical film appearance was in Muppets from Space. Pepe became the spokesman of restaurant chain Long John Silver's in 2002. Rizzo the Rat Performed by Steve Whitmire (1980–2016) Rizzo is a sly and witty brown rat from the inner city that Whitmire describes as "a sarcastic kind of New York City character"; he debuted in season four.: 80  Animal Performed by Frank Oz (1975–2000), John Kennedy (2001–2003), Eric Jacobson (2002–present) The wild, frenzied monster drummer for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Author Christopher Finch calls Animal "the ultimate representation of a long line of Muppets who personify unbridled appetite",: 103  both "carnivorous beast" and "physical manifestation of pure libido." He was designed by Jim Henson and built by Dave Goelz. Debuted in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.: 77  Supporting characters Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem A rock house band consisting of six members: Dr. Teeth, the gravelly-voiced leader and keyboard player of the band; Floyd Pepper, the cynical "hippie" bass player; Janice, the lead guitar player with a flower child personality; Zoot, the laid-back saxophone player; Animal, the crazed drummer; and Lips, the mumbling trumpet player. Other characters to perform with the Electric Mayhem on occasion were Rowlf the Dog on piano on many occasions, Rizzo on cymbals in the "Paul Simon" episode, Beaker on vocals in the "Diana Ross" episode, Scooter in The Muppet Movie, Clifford in The Muppets at Walt Disney World, and Crazy Harry as part of the band in the first episode and later. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew Performed by Dave Goelz An inventive yet absent-minded scientist who frequently performs science experiments and invention demonstrations that typically go awry and has an "affable cluelessness" whenever his assistant, Beaker, is a victim of these presentations. Bunsen serves as a foil for Beaker.: 85  Bunsen debuted during the first season of The Muppet Show and was joined by Beaker during the second season.: 96–97  Beaker Performed by Richard Hunt (1977–1991), Steve Whitmire (1992–2016.... Discover the Robin Caroll popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Robin Caroll books.