# Every Main Character in The Muppets Cast

The Muppets, a wide and diverse cast of various puppet-based characters who have dominated pop culture across the decades. Beginning as a humble puppet show for television created by Jim Henson back in 1955, The Muppets have gone on to be the part of nearly a dozen TV series, movies, specials, songs, and other mediums.

These hand puppets’ namesake came from the original series *Sam and Friends* which aired from 1955 to 1961. Following their debut, Henson went to New York to be a part of various projects, including making their presence known across various talk shows such as *Saturday Night Live* and *The Mike Douglas Show*, as well as other comedic sketches like *So Random!* and *Comic Relief*. The show also went on to take several prime-time spots involving music, comedy skits and featured several famous guest stars on their shows. The ensemble cast of the Muppets not only dominated American television for well over 3 decades but was also featured in various movies – starting with *The Muppet Movie* all the way to *Muppets Most Wanted (2014).*

Henson’s creations are so ubiquitous in American media that at this point it’s somewhat difficult to even tell who a Muppet is and who is one of the other thousands of colorful, pop-culture creatures out there. Most people can recognize Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy from half a mile away, but past those two the name and facial, if you can even call it that, recognition dips off heavily. Surely if you wanted a list of every Muppet character, you could find it somewhere, right? Well have no fear! This article features a list of every main Muppet character; from when the first Muppet characters appear in *Sam and Friends* to Walter, who was just introduced in the latest 2011 movie (uncreatively called *The Muppets*).

## #1 Kermit the Frog

By far the most recognizable Muppet, the banjo-playing, voice-squeaking protagonist of the Muppets has been around since the beginning of the series. Kermit has been played by Jim Henson, the series’ creator from its inception until 1990 when Henson, unfortunately, passed away. The baton went on to Steven Whitmire, who played the character dutifully until Matt Vogel took over in 2016.

The de facto leader of the Muppets, you’ll probably find him being frustrated trying to keep his cast in line, playing the banjo, or even reporting the news. Kermit’s been around since the beginning and has been in every Muppet-based production since 1955. Also known for being the romantic partner of Miss Piggy until 2015, where the two held a fateful press conference announcing that they were splitting up. While the undeniable leader of the Muppets, Kermit is anything but in his relationship with Miss Piggy – often getting on her nerves and receiving the full brunt of one of her famous karate chops. Now also an important part of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, even though Kermit’s been around for almost 7 decades now, it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.

## #2 Miss Piggy

The famous diva pig of the Muppets. Of course, we’d never let her hear us say that else we’d be on the receiving end of one of her hoggish karate chops that’d have you laying dizzy on the floor. Debuting back in 1974 in a television special, Miss Piggy has since cemented herself as the leading female character of the show and clear “superstar” character of the series.

Miss Piggy can be instantly recognized by her flashy jewelry, heavy makeup, and demanding attitude, which sets her apart in the male-dominated series of the Muppets.

As a matter of fact, while being the sole female in the main Muppets ensemble might be a daunting prospect for anyone else, Miss Piggy more likely than not shines in such a high-profile role, since the only thing she likes more than attention is not caring about things that would bother most people. Bold, brash, and utterly domineering, Miss Piggy is an instantly recognizable and memorable character.

## #3 Fozzie Bear

Fozzie Bear is a comedian – but only barely. His repertoire of jokes pretty much consists of puns and bad ones (and there’s a ton of overlap between the two). You probably won’t catch yourself laughing at any of them, aside from the times where you find the joke so bad to be hilarious, but Fozzie Bear is still one of the most lovable characters in the series. Despite setback after setback, Fozzie Bear has a determination to achieve his dream and a passion for comedy that invigorates the underdog in all of us. Always wearing his pink polka dot scarf and his humble pork pie hat, Fozzie is the sidekick/terrible comedian that’s been a core icon of the Muppets since his debut. Love or, more likely, hate his jokes, you can’t help but appreciate the brilliant attitude he brings to the cast.

## #4 The Great Gonzo

The head writer sporting a long-hooked nose, a wide smile, and a daring attitude, The Great Gonzo is a timeless icon of the Muppets. Unlike his unfunny counterpart who we just met, Gonzo is hilarious. This eccentric Muppet is a master stunt puppet, so you’ll be sure to have a laugh when Gonzo flies across the sky using a catapult or dives headfirst into a balcony. Gonzo will do anything to get a laugh, or maybe he’s so good at dangerous, risky stunts that it’s a breeze for him. Regardless of why he gets into so many high-stakes antics, everyone’s glad he’s here and the Muppets are always better off with him around.

## #5 Rowlf the Dog

Back in the day Rowlf was a major powerhouse. The easygoing, music-loving dog first appeared in commercials but was such a hit he quickly became a main character on The Jimmy Dean Show, playing Jimmy Dean’s trusty sidekick. While all our other characters so far have had some pretty crazy characteristics, Rowlf is a sensible, down-to-earth, and humble dog who just loves to play the piano and singing with his lovely voice.

After Henson’s passing, Rowlf took a bit of a backseat as a main character, though he still shows up often as an important secondary character. He speaks both English and Dog, loves music, and can walk himself – what’s not to like?

## #6 Scooter

The glass wearing, sly smiling gopher of the cast, Scooter is the stage manager of The Muppets. You will usually find him with a clipboard, making sure everything and everyone is ready for the spotlight. One of the longest-running jokes in the series is Scooter getting sucked into Miss Piggy’s valiant efforts to win the attention of Kermit, making him centerstage in their action-packed relationship. While we said he wears glasses, that might not be the correct statement since when he takes those spectacles off, his eyeballs go off with them!

## #7 Animal

The chaotic Muppet of the crew, Animal is known for being the drummer of Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. While his percussion skills are excellent and his musical accomplishments are well known in the Muppet world, he’s also made several debuts in our world too – having drum battles with drumming legends Buddy Rich and Harry Belafonte. More recently, Animal went up against Dan Konopkla in a widely broadcasted staring contest. Animal’s vocabulary isn’t the most expansive, but the destructive mayhem loving character has certainly been electrifying.

## #8 Pepe the King Prawn

Prawn, not a shrimp – please don’t forget that. Pepe is one of the newer members of the cast, finding his debut moment back in 1996 on the set of *Muppets Tonight*. A character fully representing the duality of prawn, Pepe seems self-concerned and egotistical, but oddly enough usually ends up doing the thing that helps everyone else. Fans have spent decades wondering if Pepe’s insane narcissism and hubris is an act or if it’s really who he is.

His Latino accent can often be heard when he’s trying to be funny, which is a lot of the time, or flirtatious with the ladies, which is even more of the time.

## #9 Rizzo the Rat

First introduced among a group of rats following Christopher Reeve in *The Muppet Show*, Rizzo distinguished himself from his rat brothers by just being so energetic and over the top that you can’t help but notice him. While other Muppets tend to hang out in groups or with their friends, Rizzo has no problem being out on his own. Rizzo is a classic clever New-Yorker who appears briefly in several movies and was even working in the kitchen in *The Muppets Take Manhattan.*

## #10 Walter

Walter is the newest addition to the main Muppet, introduced in the latest 2011 film *The Muppets*. When Walter was a boy, he loved watching the Muppets and collected a ton of different Muppet themed shirts, watches, and other knick-knacks. Shy, down-to-earth, and perhaps a little naïve, he is nonetheless a firm member of the crew today.

## The Muppets Today

Originally a simple black and white live-action puppet show focusing on Sam and his friends, the Muppets have gone on to become one of the main cultural icons within both the US and other culturally linked countries.

The Muppet world is a simple puppet cast no longer – now the Muppet universe has developed into a rich and dense network of dozens of personable and developed characters who have had countless interactions and moments with each other. The cast of the show is a rich symphony of colors, sounds, and personalities that all add their own charm and lessons through the crew’s intense diversity.