Fairfield Resident Named New Voice Of Kermit The Frog

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield resident Matt Vogel is the new voice of the legendary Kermit the Frog, replacing Steve Whitmire who held the role for 27 years after Muppets creator Jim Henson died unexpectedly in 1990. Muppets Studio confirmed this week that Vogel has been case in the role and his first official appearance as Kermit will be next week in a “Muppets Thought of the Week” video, according to the Washington Post.

Whitmire wrote in a blog post that he has experienced “every possible emotion” after learning from Muppets Studio in Oct. 2016 that they were recasting the role. Whitmire wrote that he is “devastated to have failed in my duty to my hero” Jim Henson. Muppets Studio has not publicly disclosed the reason for the decision to recast the role.

For Vogel, it’s the continuation of a dream come true. In a 2014 interview with Townvibe Fairfield, Vogel said he was inspired by Jim Henson and “The Muppet Show.” (To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“When I was in third grade, I got some books on puppetry and started to make my own puppets out of old tee shirts,” he said in the interview. “I started doing puppet shows around the neighborhood and at local organizations. I never thought in my wildest imagination I could do this as a profession.”

Vogel, who has been a performer for “Sesame Street” since 1996 and with the Disney Muppets since 2008, has played The Count and provided the voices for many other characters on Sesame Street, including Big Bird. He told TownVibe that he was “really fortunate” that Carroll Spinney chose him to be his understudy for Big Bird.

Vogel was also featured as Constantine, Kermit’s evil doppelganger in the 2014 movie “Muppets Most Wanted.”

According to his website, Vogel is currently shooting Season 47 of Sesame Street.

Photo by Chris Pizzello/ Associated Press

Zooey Deschanel, left, and Kermit the Frog speak at WE Day California at the Forum on Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Inglewood, Calif.