Kermit the Frog

Kermit the Frog is a famous Muppet character created in 1955 by Jim Henson. He is a green, anthropomorphic frog loved by many. Kermit is best known as the showrunner and host of The Muppet Show and for his role on Sesame Street.

Kermit has appeared in many TV shows, movies, and special events. He sang popular songs like "Bein' Green" in 1970 for Sesame Street and "Rainbow Connection" in 1979 for The Muppet Movie. His song "Rainbow Connection" was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2021.

Jim Henson performed Kermit until his death in 1990. After that, Steve Whitmire took over until 2016, and since 2017, Matt Vogel has performed the role. Kermit has also been voiced by other actors in animated projects.

Kermit the Frog is a famous character in popular culture around the world, appearing in many series and films. In 2006, a book called Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons was published, written as if Kermit himself was telling his life story.

History and development

Kermit the Frog first appeared on local TV programs and commercials, especially in a show called Sam and Friends. He was made from an old coat and had ping pong ball eyes.

At first, Kermit looked like a lizard but later became a frog. He had many TV appearances before becoming well-known in a special called Hey, Cinderella! in 1969. Jim Henson created Kermit to be easy-going and likable, and he was often seen as the leader of the Muppets.

Kermit was performed by Jim Henson until 1990. After Henson’s passing, Steve Whitmire took over the role until 2016. Matt Vogel became Kermit’s performer in 2017.

Naming

There are different stories about how Kermit got his name. Some say it was named after Jim Henson’s friend Kermit Scott from Leland, Mississippi. Others believe it was named after Kermit Kalman Cohen, who worked at a TV station where Henson visited. Another idea is that it was named after Kermit Love, who worked with Henson later. Because of these different stories, it’s not clear where the name really came from.

In different countries, Kermit has different names. In Portugal and Brazil, he is called Cocas or Caco, the toad. In Hispanic America, he is René the Frog, and in Spain, he is Gustavo. In Arabic-speaking countries, he is Kamel, meaning “perfect.” In Hungary, his name is Breki.

Career

Kermit the Frog is a well-known character who has been part of many fun shows and movies. He first appeared in a show called Sam and Friends and later became a main character on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. On Sesame Street, Kermit often helped teach simple lessons and told stories. He is famous for singing the song “Bein' Green”.

In The Muppet Show, Kermit tried to keep order while his funny friends made chaos. He has been in many movies and TV shows over the years, including The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, and Muppets Most Wanted. Kermit has also appeared in special events and parades at Disney parks.

Cultural impact

Accolades and commemorations

Kermit the Frog has received many special honors. In 1996, he spoke at a graduation ceremony at Southampton College in New York. He is the only amphibian to ever speak at the Oxford Union. A statue of Jim Henson and Kermit is on the campus of the University of Maryland, and Kermit gave the graduation speech there in 2025.

Kermit was the Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1996, and a Kermit balloon has been part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1977. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002 and another as part of The Muppets in 2012. In 2005, the United States Postal Service issued stamps featuring Kermit and his Muppet friends. In 2013, the original Kermit puppet was donated to the Smithsonian Institution, and in 2015, a small museum dedicated to Kermit opened in Leland, Mississippi.

Kermit has also inspired names in science. A research airplane and a newly discovered frog species are both named after him. In 2024, a fossil animal from ancient times was named “Kermit face” because its skull looked a bit like Kermit’s head.

Guest television appearances

Kermit has been a guest on many popular TV shows. He co-hosted an episode of The Tonight Show in 1979 and appeared on American Idol in 2018. He has also been part of special shows like Hollywood Squares and The Masked Singer, where he appeared as “Snail” in 2021. In 2023, Kermit attended the Coronation Concert for King Charles III.

Merchandising

Kermit has inspired lots of merchandise, especially in Japan. Baby Kermit toys became favorites in the 1980s. Even after Jim Henson passed away, Kermit remained a popular character, appearing on products sold in Disney parks. In Mississippi, a small museum preserves Kermit-related items and toys.

Kermit in Internet culture

Kermit has been part of several internet trends. In 2007, a video called “Sad Kermit” showed a version of Kermit singing in a sad way, and it became popular online. Another popular meme shows Kermit sipping tea with the phrase “But That’s None of My Business,” used when someone wants to comment but then act like it doesn’t matter. These memes have been widely shared across many social media sites.