View source for List of Sesame Street Muppets

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Italic title|string=Sesame Street}}
[[Image:Jim Henson (1989) headshot.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Jim Henson]], creator of [[The Muppets]] (seen here at the [[41st Primetime Emmy Awards]] 8 months before his death), was initially reluctant to work on ''Sesame Street'', but joined due to social concerns of the time.]]
'''The Sesame Street Muppets''' are a group of puppet characters created by [[Jim Henson]], many for the purpose of appearing on the children's television program ''[[Sesame Street]]''. Henson's involvement in ''Sesame Street'' began when he and [[Joan Ganz Cooney]], one of the creators of the show, met in the summer of 1968, at one of the show's five three-day curriculum planning seminars in [[Boston]]. Author Christopher Finch reported that director [[Jon Stone]], who had worked with Henson previously, felt that if they could not bring him on board, they should "make do without puppets".<ref>Finch, p. 53.</ref>

Henson was originally reluctant but agreed to join ''Sesame Street'' in support of its social goals. He also agreed to waive his performance fee for full ownership of the ''Sesame Street'' Muppets and to split any revenue they generated with the Children's Television Workshop (renamed to [[Sesame Workshop]] on June 5, 2000), the series' non-profit producer.<ref>Davis, p. 5.</ref> The Muppets were a crucial part of the show's popularity and it brought Henson national attention.<ref>Morrow, p. 93.</ref> The Muppet segments of the show were popular since its premiere, and more Muppets were added during the first few seasons. The Muppets were effective teaching tools because children easily recognized them, they were predictable, and they appealed to adults and older siblings.<ref>Morrow, pp. 94–95.</ref>

During the production of ''Sesame Street''{{'}}s first season, producers created five one-hour episodes to test the show's appeal to children and examine their comprehension of the material. Not intended for broadcast, they were presented to preschoolers in 60 homes throughout Philadelphia and in day care centers in New York City in July 1969.<ref name="lesser–164">Lesser, p. 164.</ref> The results were "generally very positive";<ref name="fisch-39">Fisch, p. 39.</ref> children learned from the shows, their appeal was high, and children's attention was sustained over the full hour.<ref name="lesser–164" /> However, the researchers found that although children's attention was high during the Muppet segments, their interest wavered during the "Street" segments, when no Muppets were on screen. This was because the producers had followed the advice of child psychologists who were concerned that children would be confused if human actors and Muppets were shown together. As a result of this decision, the appeal of the test episodes was lower than the target.<ref name="fisch-39" /><ref>Gladwell, p. 105.</ref>

The Street scenes were "the glue" that "pulled the show together",<ref name="gladwell–106">Gladwell, p. 106.</ref> so producers knew they needed to make significant changes. The producers decided to reject the advisers' advice and reshot the Street segments; Henson and his coworkers created Muppets that could interact with the human actors,<ref name="gladwell–106" /><ref>Fisch & Bernstein, pp. 39–40.</ref> specifically [[Oscar the Grouch]] and [[Big Bird]], who became two of the show's most enduring characters.<ref>Fisch & Bernstein, p. 40.</ref> These test episodes were directly responsible for what Canadian writer [[Malcolm Gladwell]] called "the essence of ''Sesame Street''—the artful blend of fluffy monsters and earnest adults".<ref name="gladwell–106" /> Since 2001, the full rights for the Muppets created for ''Sesame Street'' (which do not include [[Kermit the Frog]]) have been owned by Sesame Workshop;<ref name="retsinas">{{Cite news |last=Retsinas |first=Greg |date=May 8, 2003 |title=Hensons Buying Back the Muppets for $89 Million |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/08/business/media/08MUPP.html |access-date=July 31, 2019 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Sesame continues to [[license]] the [[Trademark|trademarked]] term "[[The Muppets|Muppet]]" from [[The Muppets Studio]] for their characters.

==Muppets==
[[File:Frank Oz - 1984.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Frank Oz]], who performed many Muppets throughout his career, from the debut of ''Sesame Street'' to most Henson productions]]
[[File:Carroll Spinney 2014.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Caroll Spinney]] performed Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch from the show's debut in 1969 until his retirement in 2018]]
[[File:Steve Whitmire 2014.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Steve Whitmire]], who took over many of Jim Henson's characters after Henson's death in 1990, including Ernie and Kermit the Frog<ref>Gikow, p. 135.</ref>]]
[[File:Kevin Clash Elmo 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Kevin Clash]], with Elmo, his most famous puppet, whom he performed from 1985 to 2012]]
[[File:Eric Jacobson (2682319455).jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Eric Jacobson]] (2015), pictured here performing Grover]]
[[File:David Rudman Cookie Monster puppeteer at SXSW 2015 (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|[[David Rudman]] (2015), who performs Baby Bear, Cookie Monster, and the Two-Headed Monster]]
[[File:Jennifer Barnhart UCONN 1992.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Jennifer Barnhart]], who performed Gladys the Cow and Mama Bear, and also currently performs Zoe]]
[[File:Matt Robinson 1970b.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Matt Robinson, who in addition to performing the voice of the character Roosevelt Franklin, played [[Gordon Robinson (Sesame Street)|Gordon]] for the first 3 seasons of ''Sesame Street'']]
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{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:20%;"| Character
! scope="col" style="width:25%;" | Actor/Muppet performer
! scope="col" style="width:55%;"| Description
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|A}} '''[[Abby Cadabby]]'''
| [[Leslie Carrara-Rudolph]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Leslie Carrara-Rudolph |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#leslie%20carrara-rudolph |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
| Abby is a 4-year-old fairy-in-training with tiny wings, a magic wand and sparkles in her hair. She was created to increase the number of the female ''[[Sesame Street]]'' Muppets. Daughter of the fairy godmother, she "has her own point of view and is comfortable with the fact that she likes wearing a dress".<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/arts/television/06domi.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all&|title = A Girly-Girl Joins the 'Sesame' Boys|last = Dominus|first = Susan|date = August 6, 2006|work = The New York Times|access-date = August 2, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Alice Snuffleupagus}}'''
| [[Judy Schwomeyer|Judy Sladky]]<ref>Hellman, pp. 48–49</ref>
| Alice is the baby sister of [[Mr. Snuffleupagus|Aloysius Snuffleupagus]] ("Snuffy"). She was one of the first Muppets controlled by remote control.<ref>Hellman, p. 48</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''Alistair Cookie'''
| [[Frank Oz]]<ref>Davis, p. 359.</ref>
| Played by [[Cookie Monster]], he is a parody of British broadcaster [[Alistair Cooke]]<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/31/arts/alistair-cooke-elegant-interpreter-of-america-dies-at-95.html|title = Alistair Cooke, Elegant Interpreter of America, Died at 95|last = Prial|first = Frank J.|date = March 31, 2004|work = The New York Times|access-date = August 2, 2019}}</ref> and appears in the "Monsterpiece Theater" sketch (a parody of ''[[Masterpiece (TV series)|Masterpiece Theater]]''). At first, he used a tobacco pipe that he would eat in each segment. The pipe was eventually removed because according to executive producer [[Carol-Lynn Parente]], it "modeled... wrong behavior".<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/magazine/18wwln-medium-t.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&|title = Sweeping the Clouds Away|last = Heffernan|first = Virginia|date = November 18, 2007|work = The New York Times|access-date = August 2, 2019|page = 634}}</ref> 
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|The Amazing Mumford}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]],<ref name="unpaved–132"/> [[John Kennedy (puppeteer)|John Kennedy]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Behind the Scenes: John E. Kennedy |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#john%20e.%20kennedy |website=Sesame Workshop.com |access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref>
| The Amazing Mumford is a "[[W. C. Fields|W.C. Fields]]-esque" [[Magic (illusion)|magician]] whose magic tricks often go awry. His catchphrase, used to produce his tricks, is "À la peanut butter sandwiches".<ref name="unpaved–132">Borgenicht, p. 132.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Anything Muppets}}'''
| Various<ref name="unpaved-64"/>
| colspan="2" | Writer Christopher Finch called Anything Muppets "unadorned puppet torsos and heads"<ref name="unpaved-64">Finch, p. 64.</ref> used for a single role or purpose. This ever-expanding troupe of Muppets comes in all shapes, sizes and appearances. The Anything Muppets portray humans, specific animals and occasional [[Extraterrestrial life|aliens]].<ref>Lesser, p. 127.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|AM Monsters}}'''
| Various<ref name="gikow–100"/>
| Short for "Anything Muppet Monsters", the AM Monsters are customizable Muppet Monsters like the Anything Muppets and the Whatnots from ''[[The Muppet Show]]''. Like the Anything Muppets, the AM Muppets come in all shapes, sizes and appearances. According to writer Louise Gikow, [[Elmo]] started out as an AM Monster.<ref name="gikow–100">Gikow, p. 100.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Aristotle}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]]<ref>Gikow, p. 57.</ref>
| Aristotle is a blind monster created to increase inclusiveness of people and puppets with disabilities on the show. He was designed by [[Michael K. Frith]] and built by [[Ed Christie]].<ref>Gikow, p. 181.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Arlene Frantic}}'''
| [[Fran Brill]]<ref name="episode0131"/>
| Arlene appeared in the ''[[Sesame Street]]'' sketch "What's My Part". She was a parody of actress [[Arlene Francis]].<ref name="episode0131">{{cite AV media |title=Episode 0131 Old School, Volume 1&nbsp;(Disc 2) (9 November 1970) |medium=DVD| publisher=Children's Television Workshop| date=2006}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|B}} '''{{vanchor|Baby Bear}}'''
| [[David Rudman]]<ref>{{cite web |title=David Rudman |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#david%20rudman | website=Sesame Workshop.com |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
| Baby Bear, "borrowed from the enduring [[Goldilocks and the Three Bears|'The Three Bears' story]]", is [[The Bear family|Curly Bear]]'s big brother and [[Telly Monster]]'s best friend.<ref>{{cite web |title=Baby Bear |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#baby%20bear |website=Sesame Workshop.com |access-date=August 5, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Barkley}}'''
| [[Toby Towson]] (1978),<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://herald-review.com/lifestyles/former-gymnast-vaults-into-new-career/article_7164283b-e360-52aa-b246-24666a8c0810.html|title = Former gymnast vaults into new career|last = Fallstrom|first = Bob|date = May 31, 2010|work = The Herald-Review|access-date = August 2, 2019|location = Decatur, Illinois}}</ref> Fred Garbo,<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/11/nyregion/a-show-as-light-as-the-air-that-propels-it.html|title = A Show as Light as the Air That Propels It|last = Marvell|first = Cindy|date = October 11, 1998|work = The New York Times|access-date = February 18, 2021}}</ref> [[Brian Meehl|Brian Muehl]],<ref>Gikow, p. 79.</ref> Bruce Connelly<ref name="gikow-93">Gikow, p. 93.</ref>
| Barkley was originally named "Woof-Woof", he is a "large, friendly, shaggy [[dog]]" owned by Linda and knows a few words in [[American Sign Language]].<ref name="unpaved–132" /> Barkley appeared in the 1983 TV special ''Big Bird in China''.<ref name="gikow-93"/>
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[List of Muppets#Additional characters|Beautiful Day Monster]]'''
| [[Jim Henson]], [[Frank Oz]], [[Caroll Spinney]]<ref name="gikow-41"/>
| Beautiful Day Monster originally appeared on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]].'' This puppet was used interchangeably with [[Cookie Monster]] on the first season of ''Sesame Street''. He was portrayed as the main antagonist of Sesame Street as he loved to steal things and had sharp teeth. The character was axed from the show because of how he made a terrifying B sound "BAAAAAH!", and how he loved scaring people.<ref name="gikow-41">Gikow, p. 41.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Bennett Snerf}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]] (AM Monster version), [[Caroll Spinney]] (Anything Muppet version)
| Bennett Snerf appeared in the ''[[Sesame Street]]'' sketches "What's My Part". He was a parody of American publisher [[Bennett Cerf]].<ref name="episode0131" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Benny}}'''
| [[Kevin Clash]]<ref name="gikow–207"/>
| Benny is a cynical and cantankerous rabbit who worked as a [[bellhop]] at the Furry Arms Hotel (which was part of the Around-the-Corner set expansion of the 1990s).<ref name="gikow–207">Gikow, p. 207</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[Bert and Ernie#Bert|Bert]]'''
| [[Frank Oz]] (1969–2006),<ref>Gikow, p. 27.</ref> [[Eric Jacobson]] (1997–present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Eric Jacobson |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#eric%20jacobson |website=Sesame Workshop.com |access-date=August 5, 2019}}</ref>
| Bert is [[Ernie (Sesame Street)|Ernie]]'s best friend. He collects paperclips and bottle caps, is fond of oatmeal and is fascinated by [[Columbidae|pigeons]]. His sketches were made by Henson and he was built by [[Don Sahlin]].<ref>Finch, p. 61.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Betty Lou}}'''
| Lisa Buckley<ref name="unpaved–131"/>
| Borgenicht says about her: "With her blonde braided hair, [she] is friendly and unassuming".<ref name="unpaved–131">Borgenicht, p. 131.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Biff}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]],<ref name="unpaved–133">Borgenicht, p. 133.</ref> [[Matt Vogel (puppeteer)|Matt Vogel]] (2020–present)
| Biff is an "[[Archie Bunker]]-style blue-collar loudmouth". He and his partner Sully made for a "classic comedy team". Whenever they encounter a problem, Biff often asks for Sully's opinion, but interrupts him before Sully can answer; however, it is Sully who inevitably comes up with the solution.<ref name="davis–242">Davis, p. 242.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[Big Bird]]'''
| [[Caroll Spinney]] (1969–2018), [[Matt Vogel (puppeteer)|Matt Vogel]] (1997–present)<ref name="gikow-48">Gikow, p. 48.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Svetkey |first1=Benjamin |title='Sesame Street': Meet the New Puppeteer Inside Big Bird |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sesame-street-meet-new-puppeteer-inside-big-bird-1182874 |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=Hollywood Reporter |date=6 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="andreapark"/>
| Standing at eight feet two inches, Big Bird was designed by [[Don Sahlin]] from [[Jim Henson]]'s sketches and built by [[Kermit Love]].<ref>Gikow, p. 53.</ref> It was Spinney's idea to make Big Bird a child, with "his trademark curiosity and innocence".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wamsley |first1=Laurel |title=After 50 Years On 'Sesame Street,' The Voice Of Big Bird And Oscar Is Retiring |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/10/17/658140053/after-50-years-on-sesame-street-the-voice-of-big-bird-and-oscar-is-retiring |access-date=August 24, 2019 |work=NPR.org |date=October 17, 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Bip Bippadotta}}'''
| [[Jim Henson]],<ref name="gikow–231"/> [[John Kennedy (puppeteer)|John Kennedy]]
| Bip is the wild-haired puppet featured in the Muppet segment "[[Mah Nà Mah Nà]]".<ref name="gikow–231">Gikow, p. 231.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Bruno}}'''
| [[Caroll Spinney]]<ref name="unpaved–131" />
| Bruno is a trashman who sometimes carries Oscar's trash can around the Street. Spinney designed Bruno as a way to allow Oscar to move around and talk at the same time. Spinney also had roller skates made so he could skate around the stage while performing Bruno and Oscar.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Spinney |first1=Carroll |last2=Milligan |first2=Jason |others=Illustrated by Caroll Spinney |title=The Wisdom of Big Bird (and the Dark Genius of Oscar the Grouch): A Life in Feathers |date=2003 |publisher=Random House |location=New York |isbn=0-375-50781-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/wisdomofbigbirda00spin/page/62 62] |url=https://archive.org/details/wisdomofbigbirda00spin/page/62 }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Buster}}'''
| [[Martin P. Robinson]]<ref name="unpaved–131" />
| Buster is Forgetful Jones' horse, who often helps Forgetful get out of difficulties and remember things.<ref name="unpaved–131" />
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|C}} '''{{vanchor|Captain Vegetable}}'''
| [[Jim Henson]] (1982), [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]] (1983–1984), [[Peter Linz]] (2019–present)
| Captain Vegetable is a superhero who fought for healthy vegetables. His insignia was a carrot.
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Clementine}}'''
| [[Brian Meehl|Brian Muehl]] (1980–1984), [[Kevin Clash]], [[Camille Bonora]] (voice) 
| Forgetful Jones' girlfriend
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Colambo}}'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]<ref name="unpaved–131" />
| A [[Sheep|lamb]] detective who is inspired by ''[[Columbo]]''<ref name="unpaved–131" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Cookie Monster]]'''
| [[Frank Oz]] (1969–2004),<ref>Davis, p. 246.</ref> [[David Rudman]] (2001–present)<ref>{{cite web |title=David Rudman |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#david%20rudman |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Voices Behind the 'Sesame Street' Puppets: David Rudman |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/photos/voices-sesame-street-puppets-17769691/image-17770009 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |work=ABC News.com}}</ref>
| According to Sesame Workshop, "Cookie Monster is a frenzied yet cuddly character on a persistent quest for more food...especially cookies!"<ref>{{cite web |title=Cookie Monster |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#cookie%20monster%C2%A0 |website=Sesame Workshop.com |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Count von Count]]'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]] (1972–2012), [[Matt Vogel (puppeteer)|Matt Vogel]] (2013–present)<ref>{{cite news |title=The Voices Behind the 'Sesame Street' Puppets: Jerry Nelson |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/photos/voices-sesame-street-puppets-17769691/image-17770037 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |work=ABC News.com}}</ref>
| The Count is a number-obsessed [[vampire]] who craves counting with a single-focused passion. Nelson based the Count's character and exaggerated European accent on [[Bela Lugosi]]'s [[Count Dracula]].<ref>Davis, p. 239.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Countess Dahling von Dahling}}'''
| [[Fran Brill]] (1980–1984)<ref name="unpaved–131" />
| The Countess is Count von Count's girlfriend. She has a dog named Masha and is modeled after [[Marlene Dietrich]].<ref name="unpaved–131" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sesamestreet.org/muppets/countess|title = Countess|access-date = February 8, 2015|publisher = Sesame Street.org}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[The Bear family|Curly Bear]]'''
| [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]]<ref name="gikow–134">Gikow, p. 134</ref><ref name="gikow–164">Gikow, p. 164</ref>
| Curly is Baby Bear's little sister. Created to address the issue of [[sibling rivalry]], Curly calls her brother "Bebo", has a very loud growl, and unlike the rest of her family, does not like porridge.<ref name="gikow–134" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Curly Bear|url=http://www.sesamestreet.org/muppets/curly-bear|publisher=Sesame Street.org|access-date=February 8, 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|D}} '''{{vanchor|Deena}}'''
| [[Karen Prell]]<ref name="prell"/>
| Deena is a young, energetic pinkish-purple monster with red hair and wild rolling eyes, speaks in the third person. Described as "hyperactive", Prell reported that her performance was deemed "over-the-top", so the character did not last long.<ref name="prell">{{Cite news|url = http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/puppeteer-loved-rock-9543|title = Puppeteer Loved to 'Rock'|last = Howard|first = Brendan|date = August 20, 2006|work = Home Media Magazine|access-date = February 8, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141208011441/http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/puppeteer-loved-rock-9543|archive-date = December 8, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Dexter}}'''
| [[Kevin Clash]]
| A purple tall monster who loves to juggle
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Dingers}}'''
| Various
| Like the Honkers, the Dingers communicate only with dings.<ref name="gikow–104">Gikow, p. 104.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Don Music}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]],<ref name="davis–242" /> [[Ryan Dillon]] (2019–present)
| Don Music is a piano-playing composer who required assistance from [[Kermit the Frog]] to complete the lyrics to his songs. Whenever he got frustrated, he would say, "Oh, I'll never get it right! Never, never, never!" and bang his head on the piano. He had a bust of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] on his piano and, as an inside joke, a framed photo of [[Joe Raposo]] hanging on the wall.<ref name="davis–242" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Donald/Ronald Grump}}'''
| [[Martin P. Robinson]]
| According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'', New York businessman and eventual President of the United States [[Donald Trump]] has been parodied by ''Sesame Street'' three times, depicted as a grouch like Oscar. The first time was in the late 1980s; Ronald Grump, a Muppet wearing a fedora attempts to con Oscar out of his trash can. Actor [[Joe Pesci]] played Ronald Grump in 1994, during the show's 25th anniversary. In 2005, Donald Grump, a Muppet with an orange wig, appeared in a parody of Trump's TV show ''[[The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)|The Apprentice]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Selk |first1=Avi |title=Trump wants to defund PBS. 'Sesame Street' brutally parodied him for decades. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/03/20/trump-wants-to-defund-pbs-sesame-street-brutally-parodied-him-for-decades/ |access-date=August 12, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 21, 2017}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Dr. Feel}}'''
| [[Steve Whitmire]]
| A spoof of TV personality and author [[Dr. Phil McGraw]]<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/donald-trump-becomes-a-muppet-donald-grump-1.557201|title = Donald Trump becomes a Muppet, Donald Grump|date = February 11, 2005|publisher = CBC News|access-date = August 12, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Dr. Nobel Price}}'''
| [[Brian Meehl|Brian Muehl]] (1980–1984), [[Kevin Clash]] (1984–1988)<ref name="gikow–104" />
| Price's inventions consist solely of things that were either useless (like a flying cupcake) or had already been invented. Author Louise Gikow called Price a "misguided inventor" and the "bane of reporter [[Kermit the Frog|Kermit]]'s existence."<ref name="gikow–104" />
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|E}} '''{{vanchor|Elizabeth}}'''
| [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]]<ref name="gikow–134" />
| Elizabeth is a pig-tailed Muppet with a Brooklyn accent who loves the number 732 and her cat Little Murray Sparkles. D'Abruzzo said about her: "She was unlike your typical little girl characters".<ref name="gikow–134" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[Elmo]]'''
| [[Brian Meehl|Brian Muehl]] (1980–1984), [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]] (1984–1985), [[Kevin Clash]] (1985–2012),<ref>Clash, p. 2.</ref><ref>Davis, p. 285</ref> [[Ryan Dillon]] (2013–present)<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_22929383/hicks-elmo-may-be-back-business|title = Hicks: Elmo may be back in business|last = Hicks|first = Tony|date = April 2, 2013|work = San Jose Mercury News|access-date = April 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ryan Dillon |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#ryan%20dillon |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref>
| Sesame Workshop calls Elmo "a 3½-year-old red monster with a distinctive cheerful voice and a contagious giggle" and "Enthusiastic, friendly, and curious".<ref>{{cite web |title=Elmo |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#elmo |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''Elijah'''
|Christopher Hayes
|The father of Wes and married to Naomi, Elijah works as a meteorologist, as shown in a 2022 web video "Take Your Child to Work Day." According to press reports, he enjoys outdoor running, watching movies, and cooking with his family. He also played tennis with his friend Mike, who died of the COVID-19 pandemic.
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[Bert and Ernie#Ernie|Ernie]]'''
| [[Jim Henson]] (1969–1990),<ref>Davis, p. 166.</ref> [[Steve Whitmire]] (1993–2014),<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Bruner |first1=Raisa |title=The Puppeteer Behind Kermit the Frog Has Left His Role With The Muppets |url=https://time.com/4852111/kermit-frog-whitmire/ |access-date=August 13, 2019 |magazine=Time |date=July 10, 2017}}</ref> [[Peter Linz]] (2017–present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Linz |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#peter%20linz |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
| Ernie is [[Bert (Sesame Street)|Bert]]'s best friend, who is mischievous and free-spirited. He likes playing practical jokes on Bert, and loves playing musical instruments, singing, and "taking baths with Rubber Ducky".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ernie|url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#ernie |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|F}} '''{{vanchor|Farley}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]
| Farley is a green Muppet boy with short orange spiked hair and a yellow sweater.<ref name="episode0536">{{cite AV media |title=Episode 0536 (19 November 1973) Old School, Volume 1&nbsp;(Disc 3) |medium=DVD| publisher=Children's Television Workshop| date=2006}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Fatima}}'''
| [[Carmen Osbahr]] (2002)
| A purple bird who is from [[Paraguay]] and is [[Big Bird]]'s special friend
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Ferlinghetti Donizetti}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]] (1980–1984), [[Kevin Clash]] (1984–1986)
| A blue poet and rapper who is named after poet [[Lawrence Ferlinghetti]]
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Flo Bear}}'''
| [[David Rudman]]<ref name="gikow–103">Gikow, p. 103.</ref>
| A bear writer whose name is a riff on French novelist [[Gustave Flaubert]]
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Forgetful Jones}}'''
| [[Michael Earl (puppeteer)|Michael Earl]] (1980–1981), [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]] (1981–1992), [[Matt Vogel (puppeteer)|Matt Vogel]] (2019–present)<ref name="davis–242" />
| A "simpleton cowboy" who always forgets everything<ref name="davis–242" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Frazzle}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]
| A growling orange monster whose deceptively fierce visage hides a childlike personality and a desperate need to be included
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Fred}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]<ref name="unpaved–134">Borgnicht, p. 134.</ref>
| Fred is a wonder horse ridden by [[Grover]] and his "trusty companion". His "horse sense" is always better than Grover's and he "usually saves the day".<ref name="unpaved–134"/>
|-
! scope="row"| '''Gabrielle'''
| Megan Piphus Peace (2020–present)
| Gabrielle is a 6¾-years-old with a vibrant and curious personality. She enjoys singing, dancing, playing pretend, and going on nature walks with her friends [[Elmo]], [[Abby Cadabby]], [[Rosita (Sesame Street)|Rosita]] and her cousin Tamir.
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|G}} '''{{vanchor|Gladys the Cow}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]],<ref name="huntobit">{{cite news |title=Richard Hunt, Muppet and Sesame Street Puppeteer, Dies of AIDS |url=https://www.apnews.com/44a04cdb419b2634e81488e7cc29e0de |access-date=August 13, 2019 |work=Associated Press |date=January 8, 1992}}</ref> [[Jennifer Barnhart]]<ref name="barnhart">{{cite web |title=Jennifer Barnhart |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#jennifer%20barnhart |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
| With her "piercing operatic voice", she is "a theatrical ham (even though she's a cow)".<ref name="unpaved–134" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Granny Bird}}'''
| [[Caroll Spinney]] (1969–2014)<br>[[Jennifer Barnhart]] (2018–present)
| [[Big Bird]]'s grandmother<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cardoza |first1=Riley |title=Caroll Spinney: 5 Things To Know About Retiring Puppeteer Who Played Big Bird & Oscar The Grouch |url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2018/10/17/who-is-caroll-spinney-sesame-street-big-bird-oscar-the-grouch/ |access-date=August 14, 2019 |work=Hollywood Life.com |date=October 17, 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Mrs. Grouch}}'''
| [[Martin P. Robinson]]
| [[Oscar the Grouch|Oscar]]'s mother<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Rachel Elizabeth |title='Sesame Street' Veterans to Talk About Life on the Show |work=[[Seven Days (newspaper)|Seven Days]] |date=May 2, 2018 |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/sesame-street-veterans-to-talk-about-life-on-the-show/Content?oid=15383809 |access-date=January 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=K |first=Neetha |title='Helpsters': Release date, plot, cast, and everything you need to know about the child-friendly show from Apple |work=Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide |date=September 11, 2019 |url=https://meaww.com/helpsters-apple-tv-sesame-street-coding-release-date-plot-cast-everything-you-need-to-know-stem |access-date=January 27, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Gonger}}'''
| [[Warrick Brownlow-Pike]]
| | Gonger is a fuchsia Muppet who works with [[Cookie Monster]] in his food truck. Gonger has "whiskers like friendly muttonchops", "an unusual accent and a background in hospitality". He originated on ''The Furchester Hotel'', a co-production from the UK.<ref name="patterson"/>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Granny Fanny Nestlerode}}'''
| [[Caroll Spinney]]
| An old lady Muppet<ref name="episode0406">{{cite AV media |title=Episode 0406 (27 November 1972) |medium=DVD| publisher=Children's Television Workshop| date=2006}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[Grover]]'''
| [[Frank Oz]] (1969–2012), [[Eric Jacobson]] (1998–present)<ref name="gikow–140">Gikow, p. 140.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Spitznagel |first1=Eric |title=Sesame Street Puppeteer Eric Jacobson Reveals Shocking News That Sesame Street is Not a Real Place |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/09/-i-sesame-street--i--puppeteer-eric-jacobson-reveals-shocking-ne |access-date=August 15, 2019 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=September 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Voices Behind the 'Sesame Street' Puppets: Eric Jacobson |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/photos/voices-sesame-street-puppets-17769691/image-17769938 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |work=ABC News.com}}</ref>
| Finch calls Grover "an infinitely optimistic soul".<ref name="finch-67">Finch, p. 67.</ref> Finch goes on to state that although Grover has a facility for self-deception, he is also honest and wise.<ref name="finch-67"/>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Grundgetta}}'''
| [[Brian Meehl|Brian Muehl]] (1980–1984), [[Pam Arciero]] (1984–present)<ref name="davis-322">Davis, p. 322.</ref>
| Grundgetta is a grouch who is [[Oscar the Grouch|Oscar]]'s "trashy girlfriend".<ref name="davis-322" /> She has Oscar's grouchy temperament and also likes everything trashy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grundgetta|url=http://www.sesamestreet.org/muppets/grundgetta|publisher=Sesame Street.org|access-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Gulliver}}'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]
| A seagull who is Big Bird's penpal<ref>Gikow, p. 161.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[Guy Smiley]]'''
| [[Jim Henson]] (1969–1990),<ref>Gikow, p. 43.</ref> [[Eric Jacobson]] (2005–present)<ref name="gikow–140" />
| Gikow calls Guy "America's favorite game-show host".<ref name="gikow–140" />
|-
! scope="row" | {{anchor|H}} '''{{vanchor|Harvey Kneeslapper}}'''
| [[Frank Oz]], [[Eric Jacobson]]<ref name="unpaved–134"/>
| Harvey is a "one-joke character" which was dropped from the show because his "raucous laugh" was too hard on Oz's throat.<ref name="unpaved–134"/>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Herbert Birdsfoot}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]
| A bespectacled Muppet who is a lecturer who often appeared with [[Grover]]<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Episode 0276 Old School, Volume 1&nbsp;(Disc 2) (8 November 1971) |medium=DVD| publisher=Children's Television Workshop| date=2006}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Herry Monster}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]],<ref>Borgenicht, p. 102.</ref> [[Martin P. Robinson]],<ref>Gikow, p. 165.</ref> [[Peter Linz]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Linz |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#peter%20linz |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
| According to Borgenicht, Herry is "fuzzy and blue, big and burly", with a "gentle side". He appears in many unscripted scenes with children.<ref>Borgenicht, p. 103.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{visible anchor|Honkers}}'''
| Various
| Like the Dingers, they communicate only through honks.<ref name="gikow–104" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Hoots}}'''
| [[Kevin Clash]],<ref name="hoots">Clash, pp. 40–41.</ref> Christopher Hayes (2019–present)
| ''Sesame Street'' writer [[Mark Saltzman]] described Hoots as "the saxophone-playing [[jazz]] owl".<ref name="gikow–231"/> Clash based his voice after [[Louis Armstrong]].<ref name="hoots" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Horatio}}'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]<ref name="gikow-63"/>
| A dancing [[African people|African]] elephant<ref name="gikow-63">Gikow, p. 63.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Humphrey}}'''
| [[David Rudman]]
| He and his wife Ingrid, who together are [[Natasha (Sesame Street)|Natasha]]'s parents, are the hotel managers of the Furry Arms Hotel which was part of the Around-the-Corner set from 1993 to 1998.<ref name="gikow–207" />
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|I}} '''{{vanchor|Ingrid}}'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]
| Ingrid is [[Natasha (Sesame Street)|Natasha]]'s mother. She and her husband Humphrey are the [[hotel manager]]s of the Furry Arms Hotel.<ref name="gikow–207" />
|-
! scope="row" | {{anchor|J}} '''{{vanchor|Jamie Fox}}'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]
| Jamie Fox is a fox who, along with [[Elmo]] and actor [[Jamie Foxx]], tries to figure out who is the real "Jamie Fox". They end up singing the alphabet together.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.spin.com/2006/07/legend-foxx-hangin-sesame-street/|title = Legend, Foxx Hangin' on 'Sesame Street'|date = July 26, 2006|work = Spin|access-date = August 17, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | {{anchor|J}} '''{{vanchor|Ji-Young}}'''
| Kathleen Kim (2021–)
| Ji-Young is a seven-year-old [[Korean Americans|Korean-American]] girl, who is passionate about [[skateboarding]] and "rocking out on her electric guitar."<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.npr.org/2021/11/15/1055733980/sesame-street-makes-history-with-the-debut-of-its-first-asian-american-muppet/|title = Sesame Street makes history with the debut of its first Asian American puppet|date = November 15, 2021|work = NPR|access-date = November 16, 2021}}</ref> Ji-Young made history as Sesame Street's first Asian-American Muppet, who was introduced to the public during the show's Thanksgiving special, ''See Us Coming Together.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/sesame-street-jim-lee-simu-liu-api-special-episode/|title=Sesame Street Welcomes Jim Lee, Simu Liu and More API Neighbors for a Special Episode|author=Wasserman, Ben|publisher=[[CBR.com]]|date=November 16, 2021|accessdate=November 16, 2021|archivedate=November 16, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116181610/https://www.cbr.com/sesame-street-jim-lee-simu-liu-api-special-episode/}}</ref> 
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Julia (Sesame Street)|Julia]]'''
| [[Stacey Gordon]] (2017–present)
| Julia is a little girl with "green eyes and red hair and an artistic temperament" who is [[autistic]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Suskind |first1=Ron |title=Why the Team Behind Sesame Street Created a Character With Autism |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/team-sesame-street-created-character-autism-180967218/ |access-date=17 August 2019 |work=Smithsonian |date=December 2017}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Kermit the Frog]]'''<ref name="gikow-131"/>
| [[Jim Henson]] (1969–1990), [[Steve Whitmire]] (1996–2001, 2009), [[Matt Vogel]] (2019), <ref name="gikow-131">Gikow p. 131</ref>
| Kermit is a frog who is one of the first Muppets designed and built by Jim Henson.<ref>Finch, p. 37.</ref> Borgenicht calls Kermit "funny, ironic, and always the voice of reason amidst the insanity around him; the calm in the eye of the storm".<ref>Borgenicht, p. 89</ref> [[Gerald S. Lesser]], CTW's first advisory board chairman, calls him "the saturnine but gentlemanly puppet frog".<ref>Lesser, p. 113.</ref> Sesame Workshop does not own the character, unlike most of the Muppets on this list.<ref name=retsinas/>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Kingston Livingston III}}'''
| [[Kevin Clash]]<ref name="unpaved–132"/>
| Kingston is a young African-American Muppet who is smart, cool, and prefers to do his own thing.<ref name="unpaved–132" />
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|L}} '''{{vanchor|Lefty}}'''
| [[Frank Oz]] (1970–1975),<ref>Gikow, p. 45.</ref> [[Ryan Dillon]] (2019–present)
| Lefty is a shady, green-skinned Muppet who tries to sell useless items to other characters (usually Ernie).
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Leo}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]]
| A loud and energetic monster who really loves to party, as his name says
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Little Bird}}'''
| [[Fran Brill]],<ref name="unpaved–132" /> [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]] (2019)
| Little Bird is [[Big Bird]]'s "little friend", who is "slightly wiser" than Big Bird.<ref name="unpaved–132" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Little Chrissy}}'''
| [[Jim Henson]] (puppeteer), [[Christopher Cerf (musician and television producer)|Christopher Cerf]] (voice)<ref name="gikow–226"/>
| Little Chrissy is the lead singer of "Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats". He was one of the earliest Muppets based upon an actual person (Cerf).<ref name="gikow–226">Gikow, p. 226.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Little Jerry}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]
| Little Jerry is a green Muppet who is the lead singer of the rock group "Little Jerry and the Monotones". Many of their songs were written by [[Jeff Moss]].<ref name="gikow–226" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Little Murray Sparkles}}'''
| [[Alice Dinnean]], [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]]<ref name="gikow–134" />
| Elizabeth's beloved pet cat<ref name="gikow–134" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Liz}}'''
| [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]]
| Liz is a lemon who is a parody of [[Tina Fey]]'s ''[[30 Rock]]'' character of the same name.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.salon.com/2010/10/12/sesame_street_still_rocks/|title = The viral genius of "Sesame Street"|last = Williams|first = Mary Elizabeth|date = October 12, 2010|work = Salon|access-date = August 18, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Louie}}'''
| [[Bill Barretta]] (2006–2010), [[Tyler Bunch]] (2010–present)
| Elmo's dad and husband to Mae<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sesamestreet.org/muppets/louie|title = Louie|access-date = February 11, 2015|publisher = Sesame Street.org}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|M}} '''[[The Bear family|Mama Bear]]'''
| [[Jennifer Barnhart]]<ref name="barnhart"/>
| Mama Bear is Baby Bear and Curly Bear's mother and Papa Bear's wife.
|-
! scope="row" |'''The Martians'''<ref>Gikow, p. 105.</ref>
| [[Jim Henson]], [[Jerry Nelson]], [[Martin P. Robinson]]<ref name="unpaved–134" />
| Martians, or "Yip Yips", have a jellyfish-like appearance and speak in a simple mixture of Martian ("yip" and "nope") and English.<ref>Borgenicht, p. 73.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Merry Monster}}'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]
| A yellow female [[monster]] who likes to scare people just for fun
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Meryl Sheep}}'''
| [[Camille Bonora]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-07-26-9203070524-story.html|title=Inside the Apple|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|last=Swick|first=Thomas|date=July 26, 1992|access-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref>
| Meryl is a [[sheep]] with a vaguely European accent who has brunette or sometimes blonde hair. She is a parody of [[Meryl Streep]].
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Monty}}'''
| [[Martin P. Robinson]]
| Muppet-homage to ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]''<ref name="gikow–104" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Mr. Johnson}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]] (1971–2012), [[Matt Vogel (puppeteer)|Matt Vogel]] (2013–present) 
| Also called "Fat Blue", Mr. Johnson usually appears with [[Grover]] in restaurant skits as his harried customer (and usually at Charlie's Restaurant).<ref name="gikow–197">Gikow, p. 197.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Murray Monster]]'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]<ref name="gikow–150"/>
| Murray is the host of the "Word on the Street" segment. He is a boisterous, red-orange Muppet.<ref name="gikow–150">Gikow, p. 150.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|N}} '''[[Natasha (Sesame Street)|Natasha]]'''
| [[Kevin Clash]]<ref name="unpaved–132" />
| Natasha is an infant monster who uses only baby-talk to communicate. Natasha's parents are Humphrey and Ingrid.<ref name="unpaved–132" />
|-
! scope="row" | {{anchor|O}} '''[[Oscar the Grouch]]'''
| [[Caroll Spinney]] (1969–2018),<ref name="gikow-48"/> [[Eric Jacobson]] (2015–present)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andrews |first1=Travis M. |title=Here's why a happy show like 'Sesame Street' wanted an ornery character like Oscar the Grouch |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2018/10/19/heres-why-happy-show-like-sesame-street-wanted-an-ornery-character-like-oscar-grouch/ |access-date=August 21, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 19, 2018}}</ref><ref name="andreapark">{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Andrea |title=Big Bird actor Caroll Spinney leaves "Sesame Street" after nearly 5 decades |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caroll-spinney-big-bird-oscar-the-grouch-actor-leaves-sesame-street-after-nearly-five-decades/ |access-date=August 21, 2019 |work=CBS News |date=October 17, 2018}}</ref>
| One of the first Muppets created for ''[[Sesame Street]]'' and a "surprising success", Oscar gives kids "permission to feel grouchy—and to demonstrate differing opinions", as well as serving as a model for lessons in how to adapt to different personalities.<ref>Gikow, p. 157.</ref> Spinney based his voice on a [[New York City]] cab driver that he encountered.<ref name="gikow-48" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Ovejita}}''' (2008)
| [[Carmen Osbahr]]<ref name="gikow–133"/>
| Ovejita is a little lamb. Ovejita accompanies Murray to various schools in the segment "Murray Had a Little Lamb".<ref name="gikow–133">Gikow, p. 133.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|P}} '''[[The Bear family|Papa Bear]]'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]<ref name="nydailynews">{{Cite news|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/kevin-clash-win-emmy-article-1.1332482|title = Kevin Clash nominated for Daytime Emmy despite leaving 'Sesame Street' amid sex scandal|last = Hinckley|first = David|date = May 1, 2013|work = New York Daily News|access-date = August 21, 2019}}</ref>
| Baby Bear and Curly Bear's father, and Mama Bear's husband<ref name="nydailynews"/>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Placido Flamingo}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]]
| An "opera star"<ref name="huntobit"/> who often sang with his human counterpart, [[Placido Domingo]]
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Poco Loco}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]], [[Michael Earl (puppeteer)|Michael Earl]]
| Poco Loco is a [[scarlet macaw]] who copies words and also repeats what [[Big Bird]] says. He retired in 1981, but his puppet was recycled from H. Ross Parrot, a parody of [[H. Ross Perot]] and Bolo in a 1999 episode.
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Prairie Dawn}}'''
| [[Fran Brill]] (1971–2015), [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]] (2015–present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephanie D'Abruzzo |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#stephanie%20d%E2%80%99abruzzo |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref>
| A little girl whose psychological age is that of a precocious seven-year-old<ref>Borgenicht, p. 77.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Prince Charming]]'''
| [[Frank Oz]]<ref name="unpaved–133" />
| Prince Charming is a Muppet who resembles "[[Guy Smiley]] in prince's clothing", he is the "self-involved" prince who appears in Muppet fairy tales.<ref name="unpaved–133" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Professor Hastings}}'''
| [[Frank Oz]]<ref name="unpaved–135" />
| Hastings is a professor whose lectures were so dull that he would fall asleep himself while giving them. According to Borgenicht, he was eventually cut from the Muppet cast because "he was, well, too dull."<ref name="unpaved–135" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Rodeo Rosie}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]
| A cowgirl who brags a lot
|-
! scope="row" | {{anchor|R}} '''[[Roosevelt Franklin]]'''
| [[Matt Robinson (actor)|Matt Robinson]] (voice),<ref name="unpaved–135"/> [[Chris Knowings]] (voice, 2019–present)
| Roosevelt is an African-American Muppet who attended Roosevelt Franklin Elementary School, played headball at Roosevelt Franklin Stadium and was so popular that he recorded his own album. He was dropped from the show because "he was thought by some to be a negative cultural stereotype".<ref name="unpaved–135">Borgenicht, p. 135.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Roosevelt Franklin's Mother}}'''
| [[Loretta Long]] (voice)<ref name="unpaved–135"/>
| The mother of Roosevelt Franklin<ref name="unpaved–135" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''[[Rosita (Sesame Street)|Rosita]]'''
| [[Carmen Osbahr]] (1991–present)<ref>{{cite news |title=The Voices Behind the 'Sesame Street' Puppets: Carmen Osbahr |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/photos/voices-sesame-street-puppets-17769691/image-17770041 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |work=ABC News.com}}</ref>
| Rosita is a playful and optimistic turquoise 5-year-old monster from [[Mexico]]. She knows both English and Spanish, and likes to share her heritage with her friends and teach them Spanish words. She also likes singing and playing the guitar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rosita |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#rosita%C2%A0 |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Roxie Marie}}'''
| [[Fran Brill]]<ref name="gikow–104" />
| A construction worker and is Biff's niece<ref name="gikow–104" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Ruby}}'''
| [[Camille Bonora]]
| A female Muppet [[monster]] scientist and inventor
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Rudy}}'''
| Frankie Cordero (2017–present)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dawn |first1=Randee |title=Abby Cadabby on 'Sesame Street' has a new stepbrother: Rudy! |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/abby-cadabby-sesame-street-has-new-stepbrother-rudy-t114677 |access-date=August 21, 2019 |work=Today.com |date=August 4, 2017}}</ref>
| Abby's stepbrother<ref>{{cite web |title=Frankie Cordero |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#frankie%20cordero |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|S}} '''{{vanchor|SAM}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]<ref name="unpaved–135"/>
| A robot who is supposedly perfect, SAM is prone to silly mistakes. His name is an acronym for "Super Automated Machine".<ref name="gikow-92">Gikow, p. 92.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Segi}}''' (2010)
| Chantylla Johnson (voice)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bethea |first1=April |title=Making Muppet music |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article9042662.html |access-date=August 21, 2019 |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=October 31, 2010}}</ref>
| Segi is inspired by head writer and puppeteer [[Joey Mazzarino]]'s adopted daughter. She first appeared in the sketch in which she sang, "I Love My Hair"; according to writer Kathy Russell-Cole and her colleagues, after it was posted online, the response was "nearly overwhelming" and went viral.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Russell-Cole |first1=Kathy |last2=Wilson |first2=Midge |last3=Hall |first3=Ronald E. |title=The Color Complex: The Politics of Skin Color in a New Millennium |date=2013 |publisher=Random House |location=New York |isbn=978-0-307-74423-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/colorcomplexpoli0000russ_f5l2/page/113 113] |edition=2nd |url=https://archive.org/details/colorcomplexpoli0000russ_f5l2/page/113 }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Sherlock Hemlock]]'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]], [[Matt Vogel (puppeteer)|Matt Vogel]]<ref name="unpaved–131" />
| A parody based on [[Basil Rathbone]]'s movie portrayal of [[Sherlock Holmes]], Hemlock solves mysteries by "concentrating on the little clues and overlooking the big ones" that his dog Watson tends to find.<ref name="unpaved–131" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Sherry Netherland}}'''
| [[Alice Dinnean]]<ref name="unpaved–133" />
| Sherry is the "[[Leona Helmsley]] of the Furry Arms Hotel". She rules with "an iron fist, a heart of gold, and a brain of oatmeal".<ref name="unpaved–133" />
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Simon Soundman}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]]<ref name="episode0406" />
| A blue Muppet who uses sounds to communicate<ref name="episode0406" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Slimey}}'''
| [[Jerry Nelson]] (1970–1978), [[Michael Earl (puppeteer)|Michael Earl Davis]] (1978–1980), [[Martin P. Robinson]] (1980–present),<ref name="gikow-94">Gikow, p. 94.</ref> Dick Maitland (voice)<ref>Gikow, p. 34.</ref>
| According to Gikow, Slimey is an "intelligent worm" who is the smallest and, other than Buster, the smartest character on ''[[Sesame Street]]''. When he first appeared, he spoke in just squeaky sounds. He later became the only Muppet to not be voiced by a puppeteer.<ref>Gikow, p. 36.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Smartie}}''' (2017)
| Deborah Grausman
| Smartie is an animated yellow phone and [[Elmo]]'s sidekick. Her catchphrase is "Look it up."<ref name="patterson">{{cite magazine |last1=Patterson |first1=Troy |title=The Evolution of "Sesame Street" on HBO |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/the-evolution-of-sesame-street-on-hbo |access-date=August 23, 2019 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=January 18, 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Mr. Snuffleupagus]]''' ("Snuffy")
| [[Jerry Nelson]] (1971–1978), [[Michael Earl (puppeteer)|Michael Earl Davis]] (1978–1981), [[Martin P. Robinson]] (1981–present)<ref name="gikow-94" />
| Snuffy is a "large and friendly [[monster]] resembling an [[anteater]]"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fanning |first1=Win |title=Revamped Sesame Street Opens 3rd Season Nov. 15 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19711102&id=7zsNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uGwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5062,353075&hl=en |access-date=August 23, 2019 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=November 2, 1971 |page=16}}</ref> and [[Big Bird]]'s best friend. At first, Snuffy was Big Bird's [[imaginary friend]] and never seen by his friends, but in 1985, the producers decided to reveal him as real to teach children that their perceptions could be trusted.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fessenden |first1=Marissa |title=A Brief History of Sesame Street's Snuffleupagus Identity Crisis |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brief-history-sesame-streets-snuffleupagus-iidentity-crisis-180957351/ |access-date=August 24, 2019 |work=Smithsonian |date=November 20, 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | '''{{vanchor|Sonny Friendly}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]], [[David Rudman]]<ref name="unpaved–133" />
| ''Sesame Street Unpaved'' calls Sonny "America's Friendliest Game Show Host".<ref name="unpaved–133" />
|-
! scope="row" |'''{{vanchor|The Squirelles}}'''
| [[Lillias White]], [[Julianne Buescher]], Lisa Buckley, [[Pam Arciero]], [[Alice Dinnean]]
| A parody of the 1960s R&B group [[The Shirelles]]
|-
! scope="row" |'''The Oinker Sisters'''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-11 |title=Let The Oinker Sisters show you "A New Way To Walk" |url=https://www.avclub.com/let-the-oinker-sisters-show-you-a-new-way-to-walk-1798273946 |first1=Cameron |last1=Scheetz |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930143314/https://www.avclub.com/let-the-oinker-sisters-show-you-a-new-way-to-walk-1798273946 |archive-date= Sep 30, 2023 }}</ref>
| [[Ivy Austin]], [[Tawatha Agee]], Angela Cappelli, [[Kevin Clash]], [[Fran Brill]]
| A parody of [[the Pointer Sisters]]
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Stinky}}'''
| [[Joey Mazzarino]]<ref name="gikow–132">Gikow, p. 132.</ref>
| A talking stinkweed plant<ref name="gikow–132"/>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|Sully}}'''
| [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]] (1973–1992), [[David Rudman]] (1992–1999)<ref name="davis–242" />
| Sully is a construction worker and Biff's silent counterpart. He nevertheless served as the real brains of the duo. He is considered one of Hunt's most "understated and complex" characters.<ref name="davis–242" />
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|T}} '''{{vanchor|Tango}}'''
| [[Leslie Carrara-Rudolph]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Leslie Carrara-Rudolph |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-52/about-sesame-street-52#leslie%20carrara-rudolph |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref>
| Tango is Elmo's puppy. The puppy made her debut in the 2021 animated Sesame Street special ''Furry Friends Forever: Elmo Gets a Puppy''; a puppet version was created for use in promotion for the special and in Season 52.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tango |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-52/about-sesame-street-52#tango |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref> She also stars in the recurring animated segment "Elmo & Tango's Mysterious Mysteries". She is named Tango because she loves to dance. In the animated 2022 holiday special ''The Nutcracker: Starring Elmo & Tango'', Tango gains the ability to speak in a dream sequence with a voice provided by Royina Patel.
|-
! scope="row"| '''Tamir'''
| Tau Bennett (2020–2022), Bradley Freeman Jr. (2021–present)
|An 8-year-old boy who is Gabrielle's cousin
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|T}} '''{{vanchor|Telly Monster}}'''
| [[Bob Payne]] (1979), [[Brian Meehl|Brian Muehl]] (1979–1984; 1993-present),<ref name="gikow-92" /> [[Martin P. Robinson]] (1984-present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Martin Robinson |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#martin%20robinson |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 22, 2019}}</ref>
| According to Sesame Workshop, "Telly Monster is an intense and earnest [[monster]] who worries over everything". His favorite shape is the triangle and his best friend is [[The Bear family|Baby Bear]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Telly Monster |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#telly%20monster |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| '''{{vanchor|The Twiddlebugs}}'''
| [[Jim Henson]], [[Frank Oz]], [[Jerry Nelson]], [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]]<ref name="unpaved–133" />
| A family of fuzzy insects (Thomas, Tessie and their children Timmy and Tina) who live in a milk carton among the flowers in [[Ernie (Sesame Street)|Ernie]]'s window box<ref name="unpaved–133" />
|-
! scope="row"| '''The [[Two-Headed Monster]]'''
| Left Head: [[Jerry Nelson]]<ref name="unpaved–133" /><br>Right Head: [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]], Left Head: [[Joey Mazzarino]] (2001–2016), [[Eric Jacobson]] (2016–present)<br>Right Head: [[David Rudman]] (1998–present)<ref name="gikow–103" />
| A purple [[monster]] with two heads, who generally speaks in gibberish but has a baby-like vocabulary; it teaches viewers about cooperation<ref name="unpaved–133" />
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|W}} '''{{vanchor|Wes}}'''
| Bradley Freeman Jr.
|Wes is a young Muppet boy introduced in 2021 for ''Sesame Street'''s "Coming Together" outreach initiative regarding racism. His first appearances include a pair of videos for the Sesame Street in Communities "Racial Justice" topic, including the music video "I Am Somebody (Giant)". Wes is described in press reports as being five years old and loves to go to school and play pretend. He resides with his father Elijah and mother Naomi.
|-
! scope="row"| {{anchor|Z}} '''{{vanchor|Zoe}}'''
| [[Fran Brill]] (1993–2015),<ref>Davis, p. 321</ref> [[Jennifer Barnhart]] (2016–present)<ref name="barnhart"/>
| Introduced to increase the number of strong female ''[[Sesame Street]]'' Muppets,<ref name="davis-322"/> Zoe is an orange 3-year-old Muppet who loves to sing and dance, and her best friend is Elmo. She is strong-willed, confident, has a big imagination, and owns a [[pet rock]] named Rocco.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rocco |url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49#zoe |website=Sesame Workshop.org |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[List of human Sesame Street characters]]
* [[List of Muppets]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
* Borgenicht, David (1998). ''Sesame Street Unpaved''. New York: Hyperion Publishing. {{ISBN|0-7868-6460-5}}
* Clash, Kevin, Gary Brozek & Louis Henry Mitchell (2006). ''My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love and Laughing Out Loud''. New York: Random House. {{ISBN|0-7679-2375-8}}
* Davis, Michael (2008). ''Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street''. New York: Viking Penguin. {{ISBN|978-0-670-01996-0}}
* Finch, Christopher (1993). ''Jim Henson: The Works: The Art, the Magic, the Imagination''. New York: Random House. {{ISBN|0-679-41203-4}}
* Fisch, Shalom M.; Lewis Bernstein, "Formative Research Revealed: Methodological and Process Issues in Formative Research". In Fisch, Shalom M. & Truglio, Rosemarie T.. ''G" is for Growing: Thirty Years of Research on Children and Sesame Street''. Mahweh, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers. {{ISBN|978-0-8058-3394-2}}
* Gikow, Louise A. (2009). ''Sesame Street: A Celebration—Forty Years of Life on the Street''. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. {{ISBN|978-1-57912-638-4}}
* Gladwell, Malcolm (2000). ''The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference''. New York: Little, Brown, and Company. {{ISBN|0-316-31696-2}}
* Hellman, Peter (November 23, 1987). [https://books.google.com/books?id=KOUCAAAAMBAJ "Street Smart: How Big Bird & Co. do it".] ''New York Magazine''. '''20''' (46): 48–53. Retrieved August 2, 2019
* Lesser, Gerald S. (1974). ''Children and Television: Lessons from Sesame Street''. New York: Vintage Books. {{ISBN|0-394-71448-2}}
* Morrow, Robert W. (2006). ''Sesame Street and the Reform of Children's Television''. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. {{ISBN|0-8018-8230-3}}

==External links==
* [https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-kits/sesame-street-season-49/behind-scenes-ss49 Sesame Workshop Muppet and Puppeteer Bios]

{{Sesame Street Characters}}
{{The Muppets}}
{{featured list}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sesame Street Muppets, List Of}}
[[Category:Lists of children's television characters]]
[[Category:Sesame Street Muppet characters| ]]