David Rudman (born June 1, 1963) is an American puppeteer, puppet builder, writer, director, and producer. He performs the roles of Scooter, Janice, and Beaker for The Muppets, as well as Cookie Monster and Baby Bear on Sesame Street.
Career Rudman has been a performer on Sesame Street since 1985. He currently performs Cookie Monster (since 2001), Baby Bear, and the right head of the Two-Headed Monster (since 1998). For his work on the series, he has received four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series. He has directed several Sesame Street web videos.
In addition to his work on Sesame Street, Rudman is a performer with the Muppets, where he succeeded many roles originally portrayed by Richard Hunt, including Scooter, Janice, Bobby Benson, and Wayne. Following the departure of Steve Whitmire in 2016, Rudman became the performer for Beaker the following year.
Spiffy Pictures
Spiffy Pictures is a Chicago-based production company that was founded by David Rudman and his brother Adam Rudman in 2003. The studio consists mainly of live-action television shows developed for children's television networks.
Rudman is co-owner of Spiffy Pictures where he has co-created, executive produced, directed and performed in Jack's Big Music Show (Noggin), Curious Buddies (Nick Jr.), Bunnytown (Playhouse Disney), Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map (Warner Bros.), Frankie and Frank (Nick Jr.), and Donkey Hodie (PBS Kids). He is also the creator and executive producer of the animated series Nature Cat (PBS Kids), on which he voices several characters, including Leo the Mammoth, Prospector Jones, Nevin, and the Seeker.
Personal life Rudman attended Highland Park High School and graduated in 1981. He has been a speaker at the school's biennial Focus on the Arts program since 2003. He attended college at the University of Connecticut.
In 2005, Rudman spoke at the graduation ceremony for the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago.www.ilic.artinstitutes.edu
Filmography
Film YearProductionRoleOther notes1984The Muppets Take ManhattanAdditional MuppetsPerformer1986LabyrinthGoblinsPuppeteer1992The Muppet Christmas CarolSwedish Chef, Wander McMoochPerformer1993Billy Bunny's Animal SongsFrog, Gopher, Penguin, Percival Bear, Termite1995Mr. Willowby's Christmas TreeNed MousePerformer; television film1999The Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandBaby Bear, Caterpillar, Pestie, Collander Stenchman, Ice Cream Customer, Alarm Clock Bird, Fat Blue Customer, Gassy Grouch, Grouch PrisonerPerformer2008Abby in WonderlandCookie MonsterPerformer; direct-to-DVD film2011The MuppetsScooter, Janice, Miss Poogy, Wayne, Bobby Benson, Singing FoodPerformer2013Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery MapScooby-DooPuppeteer; direct-to-DVD film2014Muppets Most WantedScooter, Janice, Miss Poogy, Wayne, Bobby BensonPerformer
Television YearProductionRoleOther notes1985–presentSesame StreetCookie Monster, Baby Bear, Sully, Sonny Friendly, Humphrey, Flo BearPerformer1985Little Muppet MonstersBoo MonsterPerformer1986The Tale of the Bunny PicnicSnort, Snail, Additional MuppetsPerformer; television special1987A Muppet Family ChristmasAdditional Muppets, Miss Piggy's Photographer (voice)Performer; television special1987–89The Jim Henson Hour Additional MuppetsPerformer1989The Ghost of Faffner HallEarl the Dragon1990The Cosby ShowSweetums, Boo MonsterThe Earth Day SpecialLizardPerformer; television specialThe Magical World of DisneyDog, Frog, Performer1991Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat CakeAthena, Chicago the LionPerformer; television special1991–92DinosaursAdditional DinosaursPerformer; 2 episodes1993Sesame Street Stays Up Late!Baby Bear, MNN Logo Orange Monster, Grouches, AM MonstersPerformer; television special1993–94CityKidsDread, Frankie Frank, Lieutenant, Koozbanians, ToyaPerformer1994Dog CityBowserVoice; 1 episode1996Aliens in the FamilyBobut, Orange and Purple YukklesPerformer1997Muppets TonightAdditional Muppets2002–07Play with Me SesameCookie Monster, Chicago the Lion, Ernestine2004–05Curious BuddiesCo-creator, executive producer2005–07Jack's Big Music ShowJackPerformer, co-creator, executive producer2007–08BunnytownYellow Cave Bunny, Hoppy Funtooth, Blue Bunny Musician2008Studio DC: Almost LiveJanice, ScooterPerformerA Muppets Christmas: Letters to SantaPerformer; television special2009Dinner: ImpossibleCookie MonsterPerformer; 1 episode2009–10Where is Warehouse Mouse?Director2012Jimmy Kimmel Live!JanicePerformer; 1 episode2013Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday SpectacularJanice, ScooterPerformer; television special2014–16The Furchester HotelCookie Monster, Gonger, SorbetPerformer2015–16The MuppetsScooter, Janice, Satay2015–25Nature CatLeo the Mammoth, Additional voicesVoice, co-creator, executive producer2019Drop the MicBeakerPerformer; 1 episodeLip Sync BattleCookie Monster2020The Not-Too-Late Show with ElmoPerformerMuppets NowScooter, Janice, Beaker, Miss Poogy2021Muppets Haunted MansionScooter, Janice, Beaker, Wayne, Squid GhostPerformer; Disney+ special2021–presentDonkey HodieBob Dog, Grampy Hodie, Stanley the DragonPerformer, co-creator, executive producer2022Mecha BuildersMecha Cookie MonsterVoice2023The Muppets MayhemJanicePerformer2026The Muppet ShowScooter, Janice, Beaker, Miss Poogy (uncredited)Performer; Disney+ special
Other appearances Year(s)ProductionRoleOther notes1991Muppet*Vision 3DRoy, MaxPerformer, theme park show2003Sesame Street 4-D Movie MagicCookie Monster, Two-Headed MonsterPerformer, theme park film2021The Muppets' Christmas Caroling CoachBeakerVoice, theme park show2025World of Color Happiness!Scooter, Janice, BeakerPerformer (prerecorded footage), theme park pre-show2026Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The MuppetsScooter, Janice, BeakerPerformer (Audio-Animatronic voice and prerecorded footage); theme park attraction
References
External links
Spiffy Pictures