Matt Vogel (puppeteer)

Last updated

Matt Vogel
Born
Matthew James Vogel

(1970-10-06) October 6, 1970 (age 54)
Occupations
  • Puppeteer
  • actor
  • director
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Kelly C. McDonnell
(m. 1997)
Children5
Website www.mattvogel.com

Matthew James Vogel (born October 6, 1970) [1] is an American puppeteer, actor and director known for his work with Sesame Workshop and The Muppets Studio. He has performed Kermit the Frog since 2017, and has been the full-time performer of Big Bird since 2018 and Count Von Count since 2013.

Contents

Early life

Vogel was born in Kansas City, Kansas. As a child, he was a fan of both Sesame Street and The Muppet Show . [2] He interned at Mesner Puppet Theater where he played his first role of Victor Frankenstein in Paul Mesner Puppets’ production of “Frankenstein” in 1993. [3] After 1993, he moved from Kansas City to New York. [4]

Career

Vogel began his career with the Jim Henson Company in 1996, joining Sesame Street as an ensemble puppeteer and understudy performer for Big Bird. In 2018, he became the full-time performer for Big Bird following Caroll Spinney's retirement. [5] [6] [7] Since 2008, he has additionally served as a director on the program and was appointed puppet captain in 2012. [8]

Vogel also served as the assistant puppeteer for Ernie, performing alongside Steve Whitmire. Following Jerry Nelson's death in 2012, he inherited the role of Count von Count. [6] He has additionally performed Mr. Johnson, Forgetful Jones, Sherlock Hemlock, and the Yip-Yip Martians. Since 2013, Vogel has performed Alex, a Muppet addressing parental incarceration, for the Sesame Street in Communities initiative. [9]

Since 2008, Vogel has been a principal performer with the Muppets, inheriting many of Nelson's character roles. Vogel has performed the characters Floyd Pepper, Uncle Deadly, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Sweetums, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Pops, '80s Robot, and Constantine. In July 2017, Vogel was officially announced as the new performer for Kermit the Frog, [10] succeeding Whitmire in the role. His first performance as Kermit was in a "Muppets Thought of the Week" segment on YouTube. [11] He performed Robin the Frog until 2017 with Peter Linz subsequently taking the role to allow Kermit and Robin to appear in scenes together. [8] [10] [4]

In 2016, Vogel voiced Wilkins in Alice Through the Looking Glass . [12]

Personal life

Vogel has been married to his wife Kelly C. McDonnell since August 31, 1997. They have five children. [3] [13]

Filmography

Film

YearProductionRoleNotes
1999 The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Big BirdAssistant performer
2005 The Producers PigeonPuppeteer
2008 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, Robin the Frog, Pigeon SonPerformer; Television film
2011 The Muppets Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Robin the FrogPerformer
2013 Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map Fred Jones Performer (puppetry only); Direct-to-DVD film
2014 Muppets Most Wanted Constantine, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Pops, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, '80s Robot, Camilla the Chicken, Uncle DeadlyPerformer
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story Documentary film; Self
2016 Alice Through the Looking Glass WilkinsVoice

Television

Year(s)ProductionRoleNotes
1996–present Sesame Street Big Bird (1998–present), [5] Count von Count (2013–present), Mr. Johnson (2014–present), Various charactersPerformer (also director)
1996 Elmo Saves Christmas Additional performer; Television special
1996–1998 Big Bag Additional performer
1998 The Puzzle Place Skye, NuzzlePerformer (season 3)
2000 Between the Lions Various charactersEnsemble performer
2002–2007 Play with Me Sesame ErnieAssistant performer
2003–2005 Oobi AngusPerformer [14]
2006 Blue's Room Alphabet PuppyPuppeteer
2007 Jack's Big Music Show Leonard the Country SquirrelPerformer, Episode: "Leonard the Country Squirrel"
2008 Studio DC: Almost Live Camilla the Chicken, Floyd Pepper (puppetry only)Performer
2009 30 Rock Puppeteer, [15] [16] Episode: "Apollo, Apollo"
2015–2016 The Muppets Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Robin the FrogPerformer
2016 The Furchester Hotel Big Bird, Count von Count
Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas Count von Count, Constable/Mr. Johnson, Big Bird (puppetry only)Performer (also director); Television special
2019 Lip Sync Battle Big BirdPerformer [17]
2020–2021 The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo Count von Count, Big Bird, Biff, Mr. JohnsonPerformer (also director)
2020 Amphibia Crumpet the FrogVoice role, Episode: "Swamp and Sensibility"

Credited as Kermit the Frog [18]

Muppets Now Kermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, CactiPerformer
2021–2023 The Masked Singer Kermit the Frog, Snail, [19] Crazy Harry, Uncle Deadly, Big Bird, Count von Count3 episodes; Contestant (season 5) [20]

Episodes: "Muppets Night", "Sesame Street Night" [21] [22]

2021 Donkey Hodie King FridayPerformer
A Capitol Fourth Kermit the FrogPerformer; Television special
Muppets Haunted Mansion Kermit the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Pops, Crazy Harry, Lew Zealand, Uncle Deadly, SweetumsPerformer; Disney+ Halloween special
2022Best in SnowKermit the FrogPerformer; Disney+ special [23]
2023 The Muppets Mayhem Floyd PepperPerformer; Main role

Other appearances

YearTitleRole(s)Notes
2017The Muppets Take the BowlKermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Snowth, Sweetums (voice)Performer, live show at the Hollywood Bowl, Sept. 8–10 [24]
2018The Muppets Take the O2Performer, live show at the O2, Jul. 13–14 [25]
2019Muppet Babies Play DateKermit the Frog (baby)Performer (puppetry only)
2021The Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach [26] Kermit the Frog, Camilla the ChickenVoice, theme park show
2023Disney Holidays in Hollywood [27] Kermit the FrogVoice, theme park show

See also

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References

  1. "What You Need to Know About Matt Vogel: The New Kermit". July 13, 2017. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  2. "Kansas City, Kansas, native Matt Vogel, thriving in prominent puppeteering roles". KSHB 41 Kansas City News. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Gish, Sarah. "KCK native Matt Vogel is the new voice of Kermit the Frog". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Gish, Sarah (July 2017). "KCK native Matt Vogel is the new voice of Kermit the Frog". The Kansas City Star . Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy (December 8, 2019). "Sesame Street legend Caroll Spinney, who played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, dies at 85". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Vogel, Matt (October 13, 2016). "Matt Vogel is Big Bird". BBC . Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  7. "'Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration' HBO Review: Stream It or Skip It?". November 9, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Matt Vogel, Muppet Performer Behind Iconic Characters Kermit the Frog and Big Bird, Named Webster University's 2023 Commencement Speaker". news.webster.edu. February 6, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  9. The Associated Press (July 11, 2017). "Kermit the Frog gets a new voice after 27 years". CBC News . Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  10. 1 2 Petski, Denise (July 10, 2017). "Kermit the Frog Voice Actor Exiting After 27 Years". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  11. Parker, Ryan (July 10, 2017). "Longtime Kermit the Frog Voice Actor Replaced After 27 Years". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  12. "Meet the Seconds: See exclusive images of Time's critters from 'Alice Through the Looking Glass'". EW.com. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  13. "Ten Minutes With Matt Vogel". Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  14. "Matt Vogel". TV.com . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  15. Staff (January 31, 2013). "So long, 30 Rock: We bid Liz Lemon adieu with some of our favourite show moments". National Post . Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  16. 30 Rock: Season 3 (Bonus Features — Behind-The-Scenes With The Muppets CD). Universal Studios Home Entertainment. 2009.
  17. "Watch Big Bird On Lip Sync Battle - ToughPigs". June 6, 2023. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 23, 2020). "Disney Channel Renews 'Amphibia' For Season 3; Kermit The Frog, Jenifer Lewis, George Takei And More To Guest Star On Season 2". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  19. Matt Vogel [@welcomemattv] (March 11, 2021). "This is so sweet, dear Stephanie! Thanks, friend" (Tweet). Retrieved April 8, 2021 via Twitter.
  20. Vogel, Matt [@welcomemattv] (March 11, 2021). "This is so sweet" (Tweet) via Twitter.
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  22. Schneider, Michael (March 15, 2023). "'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identities of the Squirrel and Jackalope: Here's Who They Are". Variety. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
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  27. "PHOTOS, VIDEO:'Disney Holidays in Hollywood' Brings The Muppets to Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios". wdwnt.com. November 13, 2023. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
Preceded by
Adam Hunt
Performer of Scooter
2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of Janice
2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of Camilla the Chicken
2008–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
None
80s Robot [ broken anchor ]
2011–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
Rickey Boyd
Performer of Crazy Harry
2008–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Floyd Pepper
2008–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Lew Zealand
2008–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Robin the Frog
2008–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of Sweetums
2009–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Pops
2011–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Uncle Deadly
2011–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Count von Count
2013–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Mr. Johnson
2016–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Performer of Kermit the Frog
2017–present
Succeeded by
none
Preceded by Performer of Big Bird
1998–present
Succeeded by
none
Preceded by
None
Constantine [ broken anchor ]
2014–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Forgetful Jones
2019–present
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Sherlock Hemlock
2011–present
Succeeded by
None