ADVERTISEMENT

Everything to know about the unexpected and dramatic firing of Kermit the Frog actor Steve Whitmire, after 27 years

The many details on the firing of the Kermit the Frog actor Steve Whitmire.

Steve Whitmire and Kermit the Frog

After Jim Henson’s death in 1990, Steve Whitmire became the sole voice and puppeteer of Kermit the Frog, everyone's favorite banjo-playing amphibian.

ADVERTISEMENT

So when the news dropped earlier this month that Whitmire would resign as the voice of Kermit, after 27 years, Muppet fans were shocked.

Here is everything you need to know about this summer's most perplexing scandal:

A fan site broke the news that Kermit was out.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whitmire publicly announced that he didn't resign. Disney fired him.

Whitmire published anemotional blog post(his first ever) on July 11, the day after the news of his recasting broke. Whitmire explained in his post that he had not quit The Muppets, but had been fired by Disney.

"For me the Muppets are not just a job, or a career, or even a passion. They are a calling, an urgent, undeniable, impossible to resist way of life. This is my life’s work since I was 19 years old. I feel that I am at the top of my game, and I want all of you who love the Muppets to know that I would never consider abandoning Kermit or any of the others because to do so would be to forsake the assignment entrusted to me by Jim Henson, my friend and mentor, but even more, my hero."

Whitmire continues to explain in his post that he waited nine months to discuss his firing publicly, in the hopes that Disney would change its mind.

The Muppet Studio revealed that Whitmire was fired for 'unacceptable business conduct.'

ADVERTISEMENT

“We raised concerns about Steve’s repeated unacceptable business conduct over a period of many years and he consistently failed to address the feedback. The decision to part ways was a difficult one which was made in consultation with the Henson family and has their full support."

Whitmire, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, responded to accusations that he had conducted himself unacceptably, and said he felt Disney's primary motivation for firing him had more to do with character notes that he gave while ABC's "The Muppets" show was in production.

Whitmire's biggest character note for "The Muppets" was this: Kermit isn't a liar.

Disney pushed a plotline on "The Muppets" where Kermit lies to his cousin Robin about his breakup with Miss Piggy, and Whitmire wasn't a fan. This became a contentious issue between the puppeteer and Disney, according to Whitmire. Whitmire even went so far as to insinuate that Disney's dismissal of his character notes as one of the reasons why the show was cancelled after its first (and final) season last fall.

Here's what he said when speaking to The Hollywood Reporter:

ADVERTISEMENT

"We have been doing these characters for a long, long time and we know them better than anybody. I thought I was aiding to keep it on track, and I think a big reason why the show was canceled (after one season last fall) was because that didn't happen. I am not saying my notes would have saved it, but I think had they listened more to all of the performers, it would have made a really big difference."

Brian Henson admitted that he should have fired Whitmire 13 years ago.

Jim Henson’s son Brian Henson spoke with The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday in an attempt to elucidate why the decision was made to recast Kermit.

Henson said that he wished he had replaced Whitmire before selling The Muppets to Disney in 2004, and feels guilty for not doing so prior to the sale.

Cheryl Henson said that Kermit 'recasting is long over due' in Facebook post.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jim Henson’s daughter, Cheryl Henson (the sister of Brian), also weighed in on Whitmire's recasting in a Facebook post Tuesday.

She mirrored her brother’s remarks regarding Whitmire:

“Steves (sic) version of history is ridiculously self serving. My father never asked him to perform Kermit, my brother Brian did. Steve’s performance as Kermit has strayed far away from my father’s good hearted, compassionate leader of the Muppets. Steve performed Kermit as a bitter, angry, depressed victim. Worst of all, in the last few years he had not been not funny or fun. Recasting Kermit is long over due. Stop with the pity party! Let’s get back to the true spirit of Jim Henson’s Kermit!”

"Don’t judge her emotional posts too harshly. I hope all of you and Cheryl, too, can understand that being outspoken about these very character issues to the top creative executives on the ABC series is at the core of the number one issue stated to me for my termination by The Muppets Studios."

Disney and the Henson family have yet to respond to Whitmire's latest post.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Coca-Cola to IPO $8 billion African bottling arm on Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Coca-Cola to IPO $8 billion African bottling arm on Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Glovo pulls out of Ghana market citing profitability challenges

Glovo pulls out of Ghana market citing profitability challenges

10 African countries with the most intelligent people - report

10 African countries with the most intelligent people - report

5 interesting facts about Nigeria’s second richest man as he marks 71 years

5 interesting facts about Nigeria’s second richest man as he marks 71 years

Ireland considers halting visa-free travel for South Africa

Ireland considers halting visa-free travel for South Africa

The US asserts that it is a better option for Africa than Russia and China

The US asserts that it is a better option for Africa than Russia and China

Malak El Masry speaks on championing entrepreneurship and art in Africa

Malak El Masry speaks on championing entrepreneurship and art in Africa

Junta led Burkina Faso suspends more foreign media over killings coverage

Junta led Burkina Faso suspends more foreign media over killings coverage

10 African countries with the strongest merchant marine fleet

10 African countries with the strongest merchant marine fleet

ADVERTISEMENT