Matthew James Vogel (born October 6, 1970) is an American puppeteer, actor and director. He is known for his work with Sesame Workshop and the Muppets. 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.
Early life Vogel was born on October 6, 1970, in Kansas City, Kansas and is a graduate of Turner High School. As a child, he was a fan of Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. In 1993, he interned at Mesner Puppet Theater where he played his first role of Victor Frankenstein in Paul Mesner Puppets' production of Frankenstein. The following year, he moved from Kansas City to New York. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University.
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. Since 2008, he has additionally served as a director on the program and was appointed puppet captain in 2012. Following Jerry Nelson's death the same year, he inherited the role of Count von Count. He has additionally performed Mr. Johnson, Forgetful Jones, Sherlock Hemlock, and the Yip-Yip Martians.
Since 2008, Vogel has been a performer with the Muppets, inheriting many of Nelson's character roles. He 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, he was officially announced as the new performer for Kermit the Frog, succeeding Steve Whitmire in the role. His first performance as Kermit was in a "Muppets Thought of the Week" segment on YouTube. He performed Robin the Frog until 2017 with Peter Linz taking over the role to allow Kermit and Robin to appear in scenes together.
Vogel voiced Wilkins in the 2016 film Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Personal life Vogel married Kelly C. McDonnell on August 31, 1997. They have five children.
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes1999The Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandBig BirdAssistant performer2005The ProducersPigeonPuppeteer2008A Muppets Christmas: Letters to SantaFloyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, Robin the Frog, Pigeon SonPerformer; Television film2011The MuppetsUncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, and Robin the FrogPerformer2013Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery MapFred JonesPuppeteer; Direct-to-video film2014Muppets Most WantedConstantine, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Pops, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, '80s Robot, Camilla the Chicken, and Uncle DeadlyPerformerI Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney StoryDocumentary film; Self2016Alice Through the Looking GlassWilkinsVoice
Television Year(s)TitleRoleNotes1996–presentSesame StreetBig Bird (1997–present), Count von Count (2013–present), Mr. Johnson (2014–present), Various charactersPerformer (also director)1996Elmo Saves ChristmasAdditional performer; Television special1996–98Big BagAdditional performer1998The Puzzle PlaceSkye, NuzzlePerformer (season 3)2000Between the LionsVarious charactersEnsemble performer2002–07Play with Me SesameErnieAssistant performer2003–05OobiAngusPerformer2006Blue's RoomAlphabet PuppyPuppeteer2007Jack's Big Music ShowLeonard the Country SquirrelPerformer, Episode: "Leonard the Country Squirrel"2007–11WordWorldFrogVoice role; credited as Daryl Ekroth2008Studio DC: Almost LiveCamilla the Chicken, Floyd Pepper (puppetry only)Performer200930 RockPuppeteer, Episode: "Apollo, Apollo"2015–16The MuppetsUncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Robin the FrogPerformer2016The Furchester HotelBig Bird, Count von CountOnce Upon a Sesame Street ChristmasCount von Count, Constable/Mr. Johnson, Big Bird (puppetry only)Performer (also director); Television special2019Lip Sync BattleBig BirdPerformer2020–21The Not-Too-Late Show with ElmoCount von Count, Big Bird, Biff, Mr. JohnsonPerformer (also director)2020AmphibiaCrumpet the FrogVoice role, Episode: "Swamp and Sensibility"
Credited as Kermit the FrogMuppets NowKermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, CactiPerformer2021–23The Masked SingerSnail (as Kermit the Frog), Crazy Harry, Uncle Deadly, Big Bird, Count von Count3 episodes; Contestant (season 5) Episodes: "Muppets Night", "Sesame Street Night"2021Donkey HodieKing FridayPerformerA Capitol FourthKermit the FrogPerformer; Television specialMuppets Haunted MansionKermit the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Pops, Crazy Harry, Lew Zealand, Uncle Deadly, SweetumsPerformer; Disney+ Halloween special2022Best in SnowKermit the FrogPerformer; Disney+ special2023The Muppets MayhemFloyd PepperPerformer; Main role2026The Muppet ShowKermit the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Pops (uncredited), Crazy Harry (uncredited), Lew Zealand (uncredited), Uncle Deadly (uncredited), Sweetums (uncredited)Performer (also executive producer); Television special
Video games Year Title Role(s) Notes2000Muppet RaceManiaScooter, Janice2002Sesame Street ToddlerBig Bird2011Sesame Street: iYipMartian #12023Disney SpeedstormKermit the Frog
Other appearances Year Title Role(s) Notes2017The 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. 8–102018The Muppets Take the O2Performer, live show at the O2, Jul. 13–142019Muppet Babies Play DateKermit the Frog (baby)Performer (puppetry only) 2021 The Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach Kermit the Frog, Camilla the Chicken Voice, theme park show 2023 Disney Holidays in Hollywood Kermit the Frog Voice, theme park show 2025 World of Color Happiness! Kermit the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken Performer (prerecorded footage), theme park show2026Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The MuppetsKermit the Frog, Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Snowth, SweetumsPerformer (prerecorded footage); theme park attraction
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