Steve Whitmire (born September 24 1959) is a puppeteer with the Jim Henson Company. He has been the performer of two signature Muppets - Kermit the Frog and Sesame Street's Ernie - since the passing of their creator, Jim Henson, in 1990. Characters original to Whitmire include Rizzo the Rat, Lips (the trumpet player from Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem), Foo-Foo (Miss Piggy's beloved dog), Fraggle Rock's Wembley Fraggle, and Bean Bunny. Following the death of puppeteer Richard Hunt he added Beaker to his roles and following the departure of Jerry Nelson he took over the role of Statler.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he professed interest in puppetry in his childhood. While in high school, Whitmire swore to his classmates that he would one day be Kermit the Frog. He worked with puppets after graduating from high school, and eventually got a job working on The Muppet Show in 1978. Since then, Whitmire has performed in every major Henson company project, including non-Muppet fare such as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and the ABC television series Dinosaurs. He was also seen in Dead Poetic's "New Medicines" music video.
Performs beloved Muppets Kermit the Frog and Sesame Street's Ernie since Jim Henson passed away in 1990.
Was nicknamed Kermit in his youth because he aspired to become a puppeteer and even performed with a Kermit which he made. His high school yearbook even has the name "Kermit" on the front cover.
Shares the same birthday (September 24) as original Kermit the frog Jim Henson (I).
Appeared with Kermit at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle (New York City) on November 14, 2003.
