Jerry Nelson

 J err y  '''L| L.   Nelson ''' ( July   1 0  t h,  1 9 3 4  - August  2 3  r d ,  2 0 1 2  ) began his  Muppeteer  in g career work in g for  Bil Baird. He officially joined the company in 1 9 7 0  & he began work in g regularly on  SESAME STREET . Since then, Nelson had performed  as a principal  Muppeteer  in several other  Muppet   product i on s  including the  Muppet   movie s  ,  The Muppet Show  ,  Fraggle Rock  , & various TV special s.

 Jerry   Nelson  ’ s most famous character s  on  The Muppet Show  are,  Crazy Harry  ,  Floyd Pepper  ,  Robin t h e Frog  , ( the  nephew  of  Jim Henson  ’ s  Kermit the Frog  ) ,  Pop s  ,  Lew Zealand  ,  Emily Bear  (  mother  of  Frank Oz  ’ s  Fozzie Bear  ) ,  Camilla the Chicken  , & several  other s. It was he who originated the role  of  Statler  to  Jim Henson  ’ s  Waldorf , but he soon passed it on to his very good friend  Richard Hunt  , with whom he was paired on several occasion s. Then, after  Hunt  sadly passed away , Nelson became  Statler  again. He ' d also voiced a number of  GROUCHES  over the year s.

In 2 00 4 ,  Nelson  announced he would be moving away from performing his classic  Muppet   character s  , citing health reason s. However, he continued to  voice  his characters  on  SESAME STREET . In 2 00 5   Nelson  was 1| 1  of the narrators on the audiobook version of  It ' s Not Easy Being  GREEN , displaying his vocal versatility by reciting most of the quotes from  Muppet   character s  , including  Dr . Teeth  & the  Doozers.

In late 2 00 9 , Nelson release d his debut ( & tragically his only ) album  Truro Daydreams .

Early works with Henson
 Jerry   Nelson  1| 1 st worked with  Jim Henson  in  1 9 6 5  when  Frank Oz  got drafted &  Henson  needed somebody to perform  Rowlf the Dog  ' s right hand on  T he Jimmy Dean Show . How eve r,  Frank Oz  failed his  draft physical , but since  Nelson  had just gotten his job ,  Oz  chose to take some time off from performing & there by let  Nelson  stay w /  the Muppet s.

1| 1 of  Nelson  ’ s 1| 1  st major  role s  was  Feather stone  i n  Hey, Cinderella !  &  The Frog Prince . In the early 7 0 s  he also performed a  full - body  monster named  Thog  who appeared in  The Great Santa Claus Switch  & various variety show appearance s. In  The Frog Prince , he performed  Kermit the Frog  ’ s nephew   Robin the Frog  for the 1| 1  st time ; how eve r , in that appearance , although  Robin  ’ s voice & personality were the same , the  character  was actually a  prince  who was turn ed i n t o a  frog. He also perform e d T . R .  &  Caleb Stiles  i n  The Muppet Musician s of Bremen ,  Scred  on  S N L  , &  Emmet Otter  i n  Emmet Otter ’ s Jug - Band Christ mas .

SESAME STREET
 Jerry   Nelson  became part of  SESAME STREET  during season 2. In this season  alone he was given many new  character s , including  Herbert Bird s foot  ,  Sherlock Hemlock  ,  Herry Monster  ,  The Amazing Mumford  ,  Little Jerry  ,  Simon Sound man  , &  Farley. I n 1 9 7 2 , he was give n t he  character  who is perhaps his best - known  character  ,  Count von Count .

Another well - known character  Nelson had  perform e d  was  Big Bird  ’ s best friend,  Mr . Snuffleupagus . However, most source s ( including  SESAME   STREET   UN  pave d  &  SESAME   STREET  : A Celebration - 4 0 Year s o f Life on the  STREET  ) state t hat s train p lace d on him by the large puppet  eventually hurt his back so much t hat he had to s top performing the  character  ( although Nelson continue d to supply the voice only for a time ). In a 2 00 9  interview Jerry Nelson gave a different explanation for giving up the  role  : " I was not loath to give that  character  up . But the reason s for giving it up were be cause at t h at time we were doing  The Muppet Show  &  he  was a real part of the  show , & they needed  his  presence . So they asked if I ' d mind giving  it  u p . " He al so did announce r voice s very often , including the announce r s for the  SESAME STREET   New s F lash  &  Super Grover  opening s

Other notable characters  i n  Nelson  ’ s repertoire include d  M r . Johnson ,  Frazzle  ,  Sam t h e Robot  , &  Fred the Wonder Horse. He also performed  the horns up part of the  Two - Headed Monster.

 Nelson  was often paired w / performer Richard Hunt. While goofing around on the set 1  day, they acted like a  2  -  Headed Monster  , & inspired by t his , a  Two - Headed Monster   character  was created for them. Jerry Nelson performed the left half of the monster , & cause of this , had to perform t he  character  ' s head w / his left hand. ( Most performers  use their right hands to perform the heads of their  character s  . ) They would also alternate in performing t he  character   Rodeo Rosie .  NELSON  &  Hunt  also performed a construction worker duo known as Biff  &  Sully. Muppeteer veteran  David Rudman  can been see n & heard taking  RICHARD HUNT  ’ s place in these 3| 3  pairing s  Hunt  originally made with  NELSON  before  he  passed a way :


 *  Biff  /  Sully 
 *  The Two - Headed Monster 
 *  Floyd Pepper  /  Janice 

3 9 Year s on a 4 0 Year  Street  : An Essay by  Jerry   Nelson
" Today mark s the 4 0  t h anniversary of  SESAME STREET  . Other than the news, historically the longest running show on television . Well , with the possible exception of a soap opera or 2| 2  . Still in all , it is humbling to have been a part of something so significant in the history of the media that was born i n my life time.

Forty years, seems like a life time. Over half of my 75 y ear s on this planet has been spent being what has been referred to as a Muppeteer. It's funny when I think about it because at least 2 0  of those years I denied being a puppeteer. I was an actor who was working with puppets until a film or stage job came along & all I really wanted to do was sing.

My grand parent s use d to give me a quarter to learn & sing songs when I was a sprout a bout 5| 5 year s old. " South of t he Border " was maybe the 1| 1 st of a long list of tune s & I 'm still learning them & singing them & will until the day I die. I don ' t know if they knew the extent of what they were doing & how they were prepping me to have a way to get along i n the world, but I like to think s o.

I guess everything you observe & do & experience in life adds to that oneness that makes each of us so unique & at the same time makes us an everyman that shares the hum an condition in the most fundamental way s.

Working with the  Henson  organization  was like working with your family & when I started working on  SESAME STREET  that was another extended family so now the family was immense. The idea behind this  SESAME STREET  project was to use the tool of television to teach under privilege d preschool chil dren, but what happened was that the s how charmed , taught , & brought love & laughter into the hearts & mind s of chil dren & adu lts all over the world.

Chance, dumb luck or dest iny ? Who knows the controlling force that chooses where & how we find our lives manifest ?

I can only say I have traveled through the breathtaking up & down melody of a life time that, I studied & trained for , wandered t he paths of least resistance ( following my water nature ) t o , & that I am either blessed & 1| 1 of the luckiest bozos walking this planet o r both. In any case : Yeehaw, Hot Dawg , you old mus tang you & Boy Howdy , today I ’ m celebrating by getting all my chore s done for once ! ( O h, did n ' t I tell you ? I ' m also the laziest man o n Ea rt h  . )

Norman Stiles, who was the fir st  writer  to write for  Count  , sent me this yesterday :

' It ' s a beautiful thing. Happy Birthday ! Let ' s put 4 0  candles i n the cake ! Then let's light 4 0  candles ! Then let ' s blow out 4 0  candle s ! Then we must take 4 0  candle s out of the cake ! Then it will be   time to lick the icing off of 4 0  candles ! Then we ' ll eat the cake, taking 1 , 000 tiny little bite s ! & then we will  Count  the burp s ! Ha, ha , ha ! '

Norman, obviously has n ' t lo s t it but ... . I wish I ' d said that ! " Jerry Nelson

JERRY  NELSON  /  RICHARD HUNT  Muppet  Pairing s

 *  Biff  /  Sully 
 *  The Two - Headed Monster 
 * Little Jerry /  Rockin ' Richard
 * J . P . Grosse /  Scooter 
 *  Floyd Pepper  /  Janice 
 *  Floyd Pepper  /  Scooter 
 *  Floyd Pepper  /  Gladys 
 *  Robin the Frog  /  Sweet um s 
 *  Robin the Frog  /  Scooter 
 *  Robin the Frog  /  Statler 
 * Tina Twiddlebug /  Timmy Twiddlebug
 * Pa Gorg /  Junior Gorg
 * Marjory the Trash Heap /  Gunge  ( w /  Philo  ( performed b y  Dave Goelz  ) )
 * Coffee Break Machine /  Luncheon Counter Monster
 * Fred the Wonder Horse /  Gladys the Cow
 *  Lew Zealand  /  Gladys 
 *  Lew Zealand  /  Sweet um s 
 *  Lew Zealand  /  Scooter 
 *  Count von Count  / Grandpa Count  ( w /  Grandma Count  ( performed by  Camille Bonora  ) )
 *  Count von Count  /  Forget ful Jones 
 *  Count von Count  /  The Count ess 
 * Mickey Moose /  Ronald Duck
 * Melvin Milk /  Carl Carrot
 * Betty &amp; Melissa Pea nut Butter &amp; Jelly Sandwiches
 * Y vette &amp; Danielle French Toast
 * Miss Mousey /  Big Mouse
 *  Lavender   Anything Muppet Man  /  Canary  ( " Pretty Little Song  " )
 * Lewis Kazagger /  Contender 9 8 0 11 6
 * Vile Bunch Drummer /  Blue Frackle
 * Andy /  Eddie
 *  Statler  ' s Grandson  /  Statler 
 * Sam my &amp; Frank ie
 * Sacrificial Idol /  Janice 
 * W h ad d a ya say Bird /  Oh boy Bird
 * Quongo /  Beaker 
 * Quongo /  The Showman
 * George and Melissa Rabbit
 * Noel Cowherd /  Billy the Grown up
 * Sherlock Hemlock /  Don Music
 *  Ernie  /  Bert  (  Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten  )
 * Cecil Bear /  Edgar Bear  ( with  Percival Bear  ( performed by  David Rudman  ) )
 *  The Christ mas Toy  Rabbits
 * Uncle Deadly /  Wayne
 * Uncle Deadly /  Scooter 
 * Walter /  Victor
 * Stanley Weasel /  Fred Lizard
 * Balthazar /  Belmont
 * Trevor Trout /  Spaceship Surprise Mate
 * Twill /  Harrison
 * Sherlock Hemlock /  Wodehouse
 * Singing F i r e men
 * Readers of the Open Range

The Muppet Show
 Jerry   Nelson  performed in both of the  Muppet Show  pilots. In  The Muppets Valen tine Show , he returned to the role of Thog  , & also performed  Droop  &  Miss Mousey. In  The Muppet Show : Sex &amp; Violence , for the very 1| 1 st t ime , he performed  Electric Mayhem  bass player  Floyd Pepper . In that special he also performed   Statler , D r. Nauga, Gluttony  ,  Envy  ,  Sloth  , the  Yellow Stalk  ,  Whaddayasay Bird  & t h e  Gene Shalit Muppet. Also in season 1 , another of Jerry ’ s  character s  ,  Robin the Frog  , ( the  nephew  of  Jim Henson  ’ s  Kermit the Frog  ) , would make rather frequent visits to the  Muppet   theater  in order to spend more time with  his   Uncle Kermit .

When production began on  The Muppet Show  as a series, Jerry chose to spend some time w/ his daughter   Christine  , which meant that he could n ' t  perform  in every  1  st - season episode. As a re sult, he gave the role of  Statler  to Richard Hunt  , who would soon become Jerry ' s best friend , but for the most part Nelson retained his other  characters  (  Floyd  ,  Droop  , e t c . ) from previous production s.  Nelson  did n ’ t perform in episode s   1 0 1  -  1 0 3  &  111  -  11 5. However, when the 1  st  2  episodes were reworked later in sea son  1  , Nelson performed  Floyd  in a segment that was added to  episode 102.

None of  Nelson  ’ s characters  were as central t o the  show  as  character s  like  Kermit the Frog ,  Miss Piggy  , &  Scooter  & therefore Nelson often played major  1  - shot back stage  character s  , such as  Irving Bizarre  ,  Big Tiny Tallsaddle  , &  Angus McGonagle. His notable recurring character s  include d  Camilla the Chicken ,  Pops  ,  Louis Kazagger  , &  Dr . Julius Strangepork. 1 such  character ,  Lew Zealand  , was originally intended a s a  1  - shot , but became a recurring  character. Beginning in season 2 , Nelson took over 2| 2  of  John Lovelady  ' s  character s  :  The announcer  &  Crazy Harry . Nelson went on to perform nearly every Muppet  announcer in a major  Henson  production until  2 00 2. He was also given such rarely - seen recurring character s  as  J . P . Grosse  ( the  uncle  of  Richard Hunt  ' s  Scooter  & the owner of the  Muppet   theater  ),  Fleet Scribbler  &  Uncle Deadly.

In addition to his versatility at character  dialects, Nelson was an accomplished vocalist & often received showcase s on  The Muppet Show . Some of Nelson ' s regular characters , like  Floyd  &  Slim Wilson  , were musician s & sang very often. Many of his other character s  have displayed their musical talents, whether it was  Robin the Frog  singing "  Halfway Down the Stair s  " o r "  I ' m Five  " ,  Thog  singing "  Oh Babe What Would You Say  " or  Pops  singing "  Once in Love with Amy  ". Nelson has also performed many song  s as  1  - s hot  characters  including "  All o f Me  " "  The Windmills of Your Mind  " & "  3 Little Fish es  ". In addition to very frequent pairings with the characters  of  Richard Hunt , ( a partnership that was the best in the entire business next to the partnership  Jim Henson  had with  Frank Oz  ) , Nelson was also often paired with  Louise Gold  in musical numbers , such as "  Henrietta ' s Wedding  " & "  Your Feet ' s Too Big  ".

On his characters , Jerry Nelson was quoted in a  1 9 7 8   Muppet Show  "  Fan Club  " newsletter : " Each  1  of them is an aspect of my own personality .  The Muppets  are roles I assume , rather than puppets I manipulate .  Robin  , for instance , is an undersized metaphor for my own insecurities .  He  has a child like curiosity a bout how thing s work .  Uncle Deadly  is the greatest ham actor of a ll time ;  Floyd  i s my laid - back , mellow side - cool . & then t here ' s  Crazy Harry  , whose ultimate trip is spontaneous combustion. An analyst told me I should develop that side of my personality. I don ' t think he meant I should go around exploding everything - - just that I should give my emotions more freedom. "

Nelson continued to speak fondly of his performance opportunities in later year s : " I feel blessed to have worked on something that ' s become such an icon of the times . I ' ve certainly always thought I ' ve been really lucky in that respect . I enjoy sing in g & I get to sing a lot . I get to be in a band ( t he Electric Mayhem  ) without really being in a band . All of those thing s make me say, ' Well , that ' s  1  blessing . That ' s another blessing . "

1 9 8 0 s
On  Fraggle Rock ,  JERRY   NELSON  performed the show  ' s lead  character  ,  Gobo Fraggle. He also performed Marjory the Trash Heap  &  Pa Gorg , w/  Richard Hunt  voicing t he character o f  Junior Gorg.  JERRY   NELSON  was 1| 1 of t he few  Muppet   performer s  to perform voices in  The Dark Crystal , performing the voices of the  Skeksis Dying Emperor  & the  Skeksis High Priest. In  The Christ mas Toy , he performed Balthazar  , who he would regularly perform on  The Secret Life of Toys . He also performed many character s  on  The  Jim   Henson  Hour , though his only recurring  character  o n that  show  was  Beard. However, in 1 9 8 2  , a terrible tragedy had struck  NELSON  ’ s life & his entire family. Christine,  NELSON  ’ s only  daughter  & child , passed away due to complications of cystic fibrosis.

1 99 0 s
 JERRY , not long after  RICHARD HUNT  ’ s sudden , tragic death in 1 99 2  , which had robbed  JERRY  of his best friend , once again  performed   Statler  , who he originally performed. He also performed Emily Bear  ( as  Fozziwig  ’ s  mother  ),  Floyd  ,  Rob in  ( a s  Tiny Tim  ) ,  Mr . Apple gate  , ( a s  Jacob Marley  ) &  the Ghost of Christ mas Present  i n  The Muppet Chris t mas  Car o l  as well as  Statler  ( as a  figure  on the  Hispanola   ship  ).  Floyd ,  Mad Monty  & Blind Pew  in  Muppet Treasure Is la n d .

 NELSON  performed many minor character s  on  Muppet s To night  & occasionally  performed  on  The Wubbulous World of Dr . Seuss . He performed  his regular  characters  as well as  Ubergonzo  in  Muppet s from Space  & he  performed   Count von Count  & both the  G R O U C H   Mayor  &  Cop  in the  1 999   film   The Adventure s of Elmo in  G R O U C H  land .

2 000 s
Beginning around 2 00 1 ,  Jerry   Nelson  began to phase out o f  performing  his primary  Muppet Show   character s  ; citing health reason s. Many of his characters  drifted to silent background roles & several were  recast  (  Statler  was handed to  Steve Whitmire  starting with  2 00 2  ' s "  Keep Fish in '  " music video ;  Floyd  to  John Kennedy , & then  Matt Vogel  , who also took over for  Robin  , & his  half  of the  Two - Headed Monster  to  Joey Mazzarino  in  2 00 1  ). For the 2 00 2  TV movie  It ' s a Very Merry Muppet Christ mas Movie ,  Bill Barretta  performed the  Muppetry  & voice of  Lew Lealand  , but the voice s of  Maxine  ,  Pops  ,  Statler  , the old  Announcer  of the  Muppet   Theater  ,  Robin the Frog  , &  Floyd Pepper  were actually loop ed by Nelson himself. Nelson also continue d to voice his  SESAME STREET  characters , including  Count von Count  &  The Amazing Mumford  although  Matt Vogel   performed  the  Muppetry  of said  character s. Vogel, by  2 00 8  , had completely assumed all of Nelson ' s primary  Muppet Show   characters  as well.

It was long rumored that health issues were beginning to limit  Nelson  ’ s involvement in projects as the aging Muppeteer  continued to stay active in the ranks of all the other  Muppeteer s  in the business. Beginning around 2 00 1  complication s from  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  &  prostate   cancer  limited Nelson ' s involve ment with the high - demanding  Muppet  projects. Nelson openly stated in August 2 00 6  that " It is long & boring but I have had health issues for a couple of years now . Different ones ... I do intend to work with my old friend  Count Von Count  again this next season . " Nelson continue d to perform on  SESAME STREET  & had participated in exclusive DVD interviews for the  1  st 2| 2  seasons of  Fraggle Rock  &  Emmet Otter ' s Jug - Band Christ mas .

2 0 1 0 s
 Nelson , although he was uncredited , actually did reprise his role  as the  Announcer  during  The Muppet  Telethon in  2 0 11  ' s  The Muppets . Audio clip s of his original introductions to the Pigs in Space  &  Veterinarian ' s Hospital  sketches & are also heard in the  film  when  Kermit   1  st walks into the  Muppet   Theater. Nelson also served a s Announcer  for  JIM   HENSON  ' s Musical World  in  2 0 1 2.

Nelson suffered from prostate   cancer ,  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  &  emphysema. Nelson, for the last 6| 6 years of his life , required an oxygen tank to assist his breathing.

Then, on Au gust 2 3 rd , 2 0 1 2  , m ost , most , unfortunately ,  Muppeteer   Veteran   Jerry   Nelson  passed away at his  Cape Cod  home after years of  C O P D  complicated health issue s. Among Nelson ' s latest performance s for  SESAME STREET  ' s 43 rd season  include the  song  "  Five By  " as  the Count  & "  The Coffee Plant  " as  Mr . Johnson  ( which would be the last time where  Jerry   Nelson  ’ s  Mr . Johnson  would be partnered with  Frank Oz  ’ s  Grover  ), & a  Word of the Day  segment as  Humpty Dumpty  , & the street story of  episode 44 0 1  as  the Count  & the street story of  episode 44 11  as  the Count  also. Nelson also voice d  the Count  in the 1  st installment of  Kinect  SESAME   STREET  T V  & the  Universal Studios Singapore  attraction,  Spaghetti  Space Chase  ( as well as the  S S NN  announcer in the pre - show ).  Nelson  ’ s later work for  SESAME STREET  will continue to air into Season 44.

 Nelson  ’ s introductory voice - over role a s announcer  from  The Muppets  was re - use d in  Muppets Most Wanted . The film  was  dedicate d  to him &  JANE HENSON .

Muppeteer Credits

 *  Nelson  ’ s primary Muppet   characters  :


 *  Count von Count  :  SESAME STREET  Episode 0 4 0 6  (  Sea son 4  premiere ) (  1 9 7 2  ) -  2 0 1 2


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  Count  ing the " You " s i n You Tube  ( 2 0 1 3  )  - present
 *  Herr y Monster  ( 1 9 7 0  -  2 00 3  )
 *  PETE R LINZ  : 2 0 1 7  - present


 *  M r . John s on  ( 1 9 7 1  -  2 0 1 2  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  ( 2 0 1 4  - present )


 *  The Amazing Mumford  ( 1 9 7 1  -  2 0 1 2  )
 *  The Big Bad Wolf  ( 1 9 7 1  -  2 0 1 2  )


 * Martin P . Robinson (  1 9 8 4  -  2 00 6  )
 *  Joey Mazzarino  ( 1 99 0  s -  2 00 6  ;  2 0 1 2  )
 * Tyler Bun ch (  2 00 7  - present )
 *  Robin the Frog  :  The Frog Prince  ( 1 9 7 1  ) -  JIM   HENSON  : Creator of Dream s  (  2 00 3  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  A Muppet s Chris t m as : Letter s to San t a  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Floyd Pep per  :  The Muppet Show : Sex &amp; Violence  ( 1 9 7, 5  ) -  Muppet s Party Cruise  (  2 00 3  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  Studio DC : Almost Live  hosted by Selena Gomez  (  2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Crazy Harry  :  T he Muppet Show  Sea son 2  (  1 9 77  ) -  Muppet s Party Cruise  (  2 00 3  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  S t a r s &amp; Stripe s Forever  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Lew Zealand  :  T he Muppet Show  Sea son 3| 3 (  1 9 7 8  ) -  Muppet s Party Cruise  (  2 00 3  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  A Muppet s Chris t m as : Letter s to San t a  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Camilla the Chicken  :  The Muppet Show  Sea s o n 3| 3 (  1 9 7 8  ) -  Muppet s Party Cruise  (  2 00 3  )


 *  Matt VOGEL  :  Classical Chicken  ( 2 008  ) - present )
 *  T he Two - Headed Monster  ( left head ; 1 9 8 0  -  2 00 2  )


 *  Joey Mazzarino  : 2 00 3  - present
 *  Statler  :  The Muppet Show : Sex and Violence  ( 1 9 7 5  ) ;  The Muppet Chris t mas Carol  (  1 9 9 2  ) -  Muppet s Party Cruise  (  2 00 3  )


 *  Richard Hunt  :  T he Muppet Show  ( 1 9 7 6  ) -  The Muppet s at Walt Disney World  (  1 99 0  ) ;  1 99 2  )
 *  Steve Whit mire  : Weezer  ' s "  Keep Fish in '  " music video (  2 00 2  ) - present
 *  Mr . Snuffleupagus  ( 1 9 7 1  -  1 9 7 8  )


 * Michael Earl Davis (  1 9 7 8  -  1 9 8 0  )
 * Martin P . Robinson (  1 9 8 0  - present )
 *  SESAME STREET  : Adam T . Glaser ,  Al  ,  Andy  ,  Banana  from "  Bilingual Fruit Song  " ( speaking voice ) ,  Bad Humor Man  ) ,  Barry Rhymie  ,  Bennett Snerf  ( monster ) ,  Biff  ,  Big Barney  ,  Big Jeffy  (  where  Grover  &amp; the Monotones demonstrate t he word " Walk "  ) ,  Bill Compton Muppet  ,  Bill Smith  ,  Billy  ,  Birdnardo Birdaluchi  ,  Bowler hat  ,  Carlos  ,  Charlie  ( sometimes ) ,  Chester O ' Leary  ,  Christopher Columbus  ,  Chunky Cheese  ,  Clam  ,  Cookie Hood  ,  Cookie Monster  ' s  Pop  &  Sister  ,  Corny the Corn  ,  Count v on Count  (  1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  ) ,  Cousin Monster  ,  Cyranose de Bergerac  ,  David Finch  ,  Dr . Livingstone  ,  Dr . Snuffleupagus  ,  Baby Monster  ,  Ernest the Grouch  ,  Farley  ,  Farley  ,  Felix the Grouch  ,  Fico  ,  Foot b all  ,  Frank ie Monster  ,  Frazzle  ,  F red t h e Wonder Horse  ,  Frog  ( "  We Are  ALL  Ea r t h l i n g s  " ) ,  T h e Genie  (  1 9 7 6  ) ,  George  ,  George Washington  (  New s Flash  ) ,  Granny Grouch  ,  Green " Fat Cat " performer  ,  Green Ed  ,  Guntag Gel m an - Jones  ,  H . Ross Parrot  ,  Harvey Monster  ,  Herbert Bird s foot  ,  Herry Monster  (  1 9 7 0  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Hickory Dick ory Duck  ,  Hopalong Hamster  ,  Humpty Dumpty  ,  I . M . Pig  ,  J Friend  ,  Jack Be Nimble  ,  Jackman Wolf  ,  Japanese Storyteller  ,  Jerome  ,  Joe  ,  Kathleen t he Cow  ,  Kermit the Forg  ,  Kermit the Gorf  ,  Kermit the Grof  ,  King Wasteful V  ,  Leo Birdelli  ,  Leonard Birdseed  ,  Leonard Wolf  ,  Little Bo Peep  ,  Little Jerry  ,  Lord Hog  ,  Mad Man  ,  Marty  ,  Mary Rhymie  ,  Maurice Monster  ,  Mean Manny  ,  Middle  ,  Mike  ,  Monster Cookie  ,  Mr . Chatterly  ,  Mr . Foot  ,  Mr . Ice Cream Cone Man  ,  Mr . John son  ,  Mr . Lucky  ,  Mr . Snuffleupagus  (  1 9 7 1  -  1 9 7 8  ) ,  Natalie  ,  Nick Normal  ,  Noel Cowherd  ,  Number Guy  ,  Oak Tr ee  ,  Old King Cole  ,  Pamela  ,  Parker Monster  ,  Phil Harmonic  ,  The Phone  ,  Pierre  ,  Piper Piper  , a potato f rom "  Low Grow High Grow Low  " ,  Poco Loco  ,  Prince Firstly  ,  Professor Nucleus Von Fission  ,  Pumpkin Monotone  ( "  Proud  " ) ,  Ricardo Monsterban  ,  Rick  ,  Rocky  ,  Rocky  ,  Rodeo Rosie  ,  Ronnie Trash  ,  Sam the Robot  ,  Sammy  ,  Sammy the Snake  ,  Sandy the Snake  ,  Sergeant Thursday  ,  Sheriff Shrimp  ,  Sherlock Hemlock  ,  Simon Sound m an  ,  Sir John F eel good  ,  SLIME Y  ( c a .  1 9 7 8  ) ,  Smart Tina  ,  Sneaky the Elf  ,  Sullivan  ( " Numerical C or respondence " ) ,  Teeth  ,  The Amazing Mumford  ,  The Big Bad Wolf  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 0 1 2  ,  The Country Moose  ,  The Emperor  ,  The Fastest Person in the Kingdom  ,  The Gonk  ,  The Great Fentini  ,  The Hare  ,  The London Frog  ,  The Miller ' s Daughter  ,  The Royal Barber  ,  Angry  ,  Drippy  ,  Snookey  ,  Sparkey  ,  The Smartest Person i n t he Kingdom  ,   The Sun  ,  The Young Man Who Lives in a Glove  ,  Tina Twiddlebug  ,  Tony  (  1 9 7 0  ) ,  Tony  ,  Tornado  ,  Tough Eddie  ,  Trevor Trout  ,   T he Two - Headed Monster  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 2  ) ,  Uncle Louie  ,  Uncle Talbot  ,  Vern  ,  Vidal Spittoon  ,   Walter  ,  Walter  ,  Witch  ,  Xaiver  ,  Yip Yip Martian s  , the  Young   Man  who Live s in a Glove  ,  Zizzy Zoomer  , T he Oat Bran Zydeco " Je Ne Sais Quoi " Band Lead Singer , various announcer s & others
 *  T h e Muppet S how  : Africa n M ask  ( F i r e ),  Albert Flan  ,  Angus McGonagle  ,  T he Announce r  (  1 9 77  -  1 9 8 1  ) ,  Automatic Waste basket  ,  Bagpipes  (  Episode 5 2 0 : Wally Boag  ) ,  Basker ville the Hound   Episode 1 0 6 : Jim Nabors  ,  Episode 11 6 : Avery Schreiber  ,  Episode 2 0 8 : Steve Martin  &  Episode 2 1 6 : Cleo Laine  , &  Episode 3 0 8 : Loretta Lynn  ) ,  Beakie  (  Episode 4 1 2 : Phyllis George  ) ,  Behemoth  (  Episode 2 0 2 : Zero Mostel  ) ,  Benny  ,  Big Tiny Tall saddle  ,  Bruno  ,  Burlington Bertie  ,  Bust of Beethoven  ,  Camilla t he Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Cheesecake  ,  Chester Pugh  ,  Chuckie  ,  Crazy Harry  (  1 9 77  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Dancer s  ,  The Dancing Clown  ,  The Devil  ,  Doglion  (  Episode 2 0 9 : Madeline Kahn  ) ,  The Dodo  (  Episode 4 1 5 : Anne Murray  ) ,  Dracula  ,  Droop  ,  Eel  (  Episode 4 1 7 : Star Wars  ) ,  Emily Bear  ,  E ric t h e Yodeling Clam  ,  Feather stone  ,  Female Koozebanian Creature  ,  Fleet Scribble r  ,  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 , 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Forcryingoutloud Bird  (  Episode 3 0 9 : Liberace  ) ,  Fozzie Pig  ,  Fred  ,  Reggie  ,  Fuzz Brother  ,  The Gambler  ,  Geri  &amp; t h e Atrics  tambourine player (  Episode 5 1 7 : Hal Linden  ) ,  Gingerbread Man  ,  Gorgon Heap  (  Episode 2 0 1 : Don Knotts  ) ,  Granny the Gouger  ,  G nu  ,  Harold  ,  House 1  (  Episode 1 0 7 : Florence Hend er s on  ) ,  House 2  ,  Humpty Dumpty  ,  Irving Bizarre  ,  J . P . Grosse  ,  Jar of Orange Marmalade  ,  Jerry  ,  John Cleese  ' s  Agent  ,  D r . Julius Strangepork  ,  Koozebanian Phoob  ,  Lenny t he Lizard  (  Epi sode 1 0 7 : Florence Henderson  ) , Dancer ,  Lee  ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ,  Louis Kazagger  ,  Sundance  (  Episode 4 1 6 : Jonathan Winter s  ,  Episode 5 0 5 : James Coburn  ) ,  Luncheon Counter Monster  ( occasionally ) ,  Mean Mama  ( occasionally ) ,  Merdlidop  ,  Mickey Moose  ,  Miss Mousey  ,  Mulch  (  Episode 5 0 9 : Debbie Harry  ) ,  The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly  ,  Opossum  ,  Paul  ,  Paul Revere  ,  Pierre LaCousse  ,  Pop s  ,  Prince Rudolph  ,  Punching Bag  ,  The Queen  (  Episode 1 2 1 : Twiggy  ) ,  Quongo  (  Episode 5 1 3 : Tony Randall  ) ,  Robin t he Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Sacrificial Idol  ,  Salzburg Sauerkraut Singer  ,  Sarchophagi  ,  Scotsman  ,  Shark  (  Episode 4 1 7  ) ,  Screaming Thing  , Shouting Lady ,  Singing Owl  ,  Slim Wilson  ,  The Sphinx  ,  Statler  ,  Statler  ' s  Grandson  ,  Super Sheep  ,  Talking Machine  ,  Thog  ,  Thudge McGerk  ,  Tom  ,  Uncle Deadly  ,  Vendaface  ,  Vendawish  ,  Warren  ,  Whaddayasay Bird  ,  Whatnot Monster  ,  William Tell  ,  The Witch Doctor  ,  Yellow Creature  ,  Yorick  ,  Zelda Rose  (  Episode 2 1 8 : Jaye P . Morgan  )
 *  The Jimmy Dean Show  ( 1 9 6 5  -  1 9 66  ) :  Rowlf the Dog  ' s right hand
 * Commercials : Assisting for  Southern Colonel ,  Nutty Bird  , & other s
 *  T he Ed Sullivan Show  : Clam  : Lead Violinist
 *  The Great San ta Cla us Switch  : Thog ,  Zippity  ,  Green Scoff  ,  Snivelly
 *  Tales from Muppetland  :  Robin t he Frog , Feather stone  ,  Caleb Stiles  ,  Rover Joe the Hound Dog  (  Muppetry  ) ,  Stepsister 2  ,  Sweetums  (  Muppet ry  ) ,  T . R.
 *  Muppet Meet in g Film s  : Announce r s, P . Fenton Cosgrove
 *  One to One  : The King of Phumph
 *  Saturday Night Live  : Scred
 *  The Muppet Valen tine Show 
 *  The Muppet Show : Sex &amp; Violence  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7, 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Statler  ,  D r . Nauga  ,  Envy  ,  Gluttony  ,  Gene Shalit Muppet  ,  Thomas Jefferson  ,  Yellow Stalk
 *  Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass  :  Miss Piggy , Beautiful Day Monster  ( voice only )
 *  Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten 10  :  Ernie 
 *  Emmet Otter ' s Jug Band Christ mas  :  Emmet Otter , Doc Bullfrog   Melissa Rabbit  ,  Stanley Weasel  ,  Yancy Woodchuck
 *  Chris t ma s Eve o n  SESAME   STREET  :  Count von Count ' (  1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  )
 *  T he Muppet Movie  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7, 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Crazy Harry  (  1 9 77  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 0 0 3  ) &  Camilla the Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  )
 *  The Great Muppet Caper  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ),  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Pops  ,  Louis Kazagger  ,  Dirty Bird
 *  The Dark Crystal  : SkekSok ,  SkekZok  ( voices only )
 *  Fraggle Rock  : Gobo Fraggle ,  Marjory the  TRASH  Heap  ,  Pa Gorg  ( face & voice ) ,  Architect Dooze r  ,  Archbanger Fraggle  ( Pipe bang e r ) ,  Balsam the Minstrel  ( occasion ally ) ,  Feenie Fraggle  ,  Fishface Fraggle  ,  Mervin Merggle  ,  Rudy Vallee Doozer  ,  Uncle Gobo
 *  The Muppet s Take Manhattan  :  Pops ,  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 , 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 978  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Crazy Harry  (  1 9 77  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Robin t he Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) &  Camilla the Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) &  Bear
 *  Follow T h at  BIRD  :  Count von Count  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  )
 *  The Christ mas Toy  : Balthazar
 *  Little Muppet Monsters  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  )
 *  A Muppet Family Christ mas  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ),  Robin t he Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Camilla t he Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Emily Bear  ,  Count v on Count  (  1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  ) ,  Herry Monster  (  1 9 7 0  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Two - Headed Monster  (  1 9 78  -  2002  ) &  Gobo Fraggle 
 *  The  Jim   Henson  Hour  : Beard ,  Orange Extreme  &  Jo - Beth Garfdoohoo
 *  The Muppets at Walt Disney World  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ),  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Camilla the Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) &  Emily Bear
 *  The Muppet s Celebrate  Jim   Henson  :  Robin the Frog  ( 1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ),  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) &  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  )
 *  The Muppet Chris t mas Carol  : The Ghost o f Chris t mas Present  ( face & voice ),  Mr . Applegate  ,  Father Mouse  ,  Pig Businessmen  ,  Rat Book keep er  ,  Statler  ( as  Jacob Marley  ) ,  Penguin s  ,  Ink spot s  ,  Emily Bear  ( a s  Ma Fozziwig  ) ,  Singing Food  ,  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Robin t he Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) ( as  Tiny Tim  ) &  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  )
 *  Billy Bunny ' s Animal Songs  : Cecil Bear ,  Raccoon 2  ,  The Turtle  &  Frogs
 *  The Secret Life of Toys  : Balthazar ,  Bratty Rat  &  Dinkybeard
 *  Sesame   Street  Stays Up Late  :  Count von Count  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  )
 *  Muppet Classic Theater  : T he Big Bad Wolf  &  Loyal Royal Advisor
 *  Muppet Treasure I s l a n d  : Blind Pew ,  Mad Monty  , Monocled Pirate ,  Sal Minella  ,  Island Heads  ,  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Statler  ( as  the Hispaniola   Figurehead  ) ,  Inkspots  ,  Octopuses  , Skulls ,  Jacques Roach  (  Cabin Fever  ) ,  Spotted Dick  ,  Singing Food
 *  Elmo  Save s Christ mas  :  Count von Count  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  )
 *  The Wubbulous World o f Dr . Seuss  : The Snoozer
 *  Muppet s To night  : A . Ligator ,  Baby  Jerry  ,  Clarissa  ,  D r . Watson  ,  Eggheads  ,  Elvises  ,  Ernest Pleth  ,  The Head of the Network  ,  Indiana Rat  ,  The Irish Rodents  ,  Jowl s  ,  The Mad Bomber  ,  Mama Fiama  ,  Moo - ing  ,  Percy  ,  Phil  ,  The President  ,  The Rock Lobster s  ,  Rob Reiner   Muppet  ,  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Robbie  ,  Robot Abraham Lincoln  ,  Statler  ,  S tosh  ,  Taylor the Turkey  ,  Torisho  , &  The Two - Headed Comic  (  Left Head  )
 *  Muppet s fro m Space  :  Robin the Frog  ( 1 971  -  2 00 3  ),  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 , 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Statler  ,  Ubergonzo
 *  The Adventure s of  Elmo  in  G R O U C H  land  :  Count von Count  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  ),  Pestie  ,  Grouch   Mayor  &  Grouch   Cop 
 *  Muppet Race Mania  :  Statler ,  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Sweetums  &  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  )
 *  It ’ s a Very Merry Muppet Chris t m as Movie  : Maxine ,  Pops  ,  Statler  , the  Muppet s announcer  ,  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) &  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ( voices only ) ; looped in post - production
 *  Muppets Party Cruise  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ),  Statler  ,  D r . Julius Strangepork  ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Crazy Harry  (  1 9 77  -  2 00 3  ) &  Camilla the Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  )
 *  Abby i n Wonder land  :  The Counterpillar  (  Count von Count  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  ) )
 *  Studio DC : Almost Live  Hosted b y Dylan &amp; Cole Sprouse  :  Floyd Pepper  ( voice only ; uncredited )
 *  Fami lies Stand Together  : Mr . Jerry
 *  The Best of  Elmo  2  : Dr . Sigmund Sillystuff
 *  Fair i s Fair  :  Timothy Grouch 
 *  The Muppet s  : The Announcer  ( u n credited )
 *  Muppet s Most Wanted  : The Announcer  ( R e used vocal track )

Note s

 *  NELSON  ’ s daughter   Christine , who was dying of cystic fibrosis , made a cameo appearance with him in  The Great Muppet Caper  .  NELSON  ’ s friend & boss ,  Muppet s  creator  JIM HENSON  graciously gave  Christine  a few brief line s of dialogue so she could become an official member of the Actor s ' Equity Association.

Audio credit s

 *  Elmo  &amp; the Orchestra  : Leonard Bird seed
 *  It ' s  NOT  Easy Being  GREEN  audio book : Performed quote s from  D r . Teeth , Fraggle s  ,  Doozer s  , the guitarist from  The Cube  , & other s
 *  The Muppet s Inside  :  The News man ,  Floyd Pepper  ,  Lew Zealand  &  Statler  ( archive d footage )

Trivia

 *  NELSON  was right - handed.
 * Characters of  JERRY   NELSON  ’ s  Muppeteer   veteran   MATT VOGEL  has performed once or consistently are :


 *  Count von Count  ( 2 000 s  -  2 0 1 2  ; assistant (  Muppetry  only ;  Muppetry  & voice together :  Count  ing the " You " s in You Tube  (  2 0 1 3  ) - present )
 *  ROBIN THE FROG  :  A Muppet s Chris t m as : Letter s to San ta  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Floyd Pepper  :  Studio DC : Almost Live  hosted by Selena Gomez  (  2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Crazy Harry  :  Star s &amp; Stripes For ever  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Lew Zealand  :  A Muppet s Chris t m as : Letter s to San ta  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Camilla the Chicken  :  Classical Chicken  ( 2 0 0 8  ) - present
 * Dr . Julius Strangepork (  Bohemian Rhapsody  (  2 0 11  ),  The Muppets  (  2 0 11  )
 * Uncle Deadly :  The Muppets  (  2 0 11  ) - present
 * Pops : behind - the - scenes video (  2 0 11  ) - present
 * T h e Big Bad Wolf :  Sesame Street   Episode 4 3 1 9  (  2 0 1 3  )

External l ink s

 * The Muppet Mindset inter view with  JERRY   NELSON , part 1 part 2 part 3
 * Tough Pig s . com 2009 interview with  JERRY   NELSON 
 * Kenneth Plume ' s 2000 interview with  JERRY   NELSON 
 *  JERRY   NELSON  on Breathing . com
 * Jessica Max Stein ' s obituary / memorial essay for  JERRY   NELSON 
 *  JIM HENSON  ’ s Red Book entry about  NELSON  ’ s beginning s with the Muppets
 * Half way D own the Stair s fan site ( archive . org )
 * " Remember in g  JERRY   NELSON  " play list on  SESAME STREET  ’ s You Tube Channel
 * JERRY NELSON on I M D b