Steve Whitmire
The puppeteer who stepped into the biggest felt shoes in show business, giving voice to Kermit and Ernie for a generation.
Born 1959 (age 67)·American puppeteer·Birthday: September 24·Baby Boomers
Biography
Steve Whitmire originated the characters Rizzo the Rat and Wembley Fraggle after joining Jim Henson's team in 1978. He sent a fan letter to Henson as a teenage puppeteer from Atlanta, and Henson saw his talent and brought him into the fold. Following Henson's sudden death in 1990, Whitmire was chosen by the Henson family to inherit the roles of Kermit the Frog and Sesame Street's Ernie. For over 25 years, he performed Kermit's voice and soul, guiding the frog through new movies, TV specials, and cultural moments while meticulously studying Henson's performance to preserve its spirit. He also brought new life to classic characters like Statler. His tenure ended in 2016 when the Muppets Studio recast Kermit, a decision that sparked widespread discussion among fans about the future of these characters.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Steve was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Steve Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Steve's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Performed Kermit the Frog from 1990 to 2016, becoming the second performer in the character's history.
- Originated the characters of Rizzo the Rat on 'The Muppets' and Wembley Fraggle on 'Fraggle Rock.'
- Took over the role of Sesame Street's Ernie after Jim Henson's death, performing it until 2014.
- Served as a principal puppeteer and performer on major films like 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' and 'Muppet Treasure Island.'
Did You Know?
He built his first puppet, a monkey named Foo-Foo, when he was in fifth grade.
Whitmire is an accomplished banjo player and often incorporated music into his performances.
He performed the puppet for the Yoda scenes in the original 'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' radio drama.
He maintains a detailed blog discussing his philosophy and techniques of puppetry.
“A puppet's life is in the wrist; you have to give it a real heartbeat.”
