Richard Hunt

 Richard   Henry   Hunt  ( August 1 6  t h,  1 9 5 1  - January  7  t h ,  1 99 2  ) was a long time  Muppeteer  who i s k now n for his man y  character s  , his accomplish ed s i ng ing voice , & his warm back stage personal i t y. Hunt brought many popular character s  t o life, including  Scooter  ,  Janice  ,  Beaker  ,  Statler  ,  Sweetums  ,  Junior Gorg  ,  Don Music  ,  Gladys the Cow  ,  Sonny Friendly  ,  Sully  , the  horns - up half  o f the  Two - Headed Monster  ,  Dip Cat  ,  Placido Flamingo  &  Forgetful Jone s .  H UN T  also was t he performer  o f  GRANDPA GROUCH ,  OSCAR THE GROUCH  ’ s  grand father.

E a r l y Y e a r s
 HUN T  w a s b o r n i n New Y or k C it y , t h e 2| 2  n d o f 5| 5  children & t h e 1| 1  s t o f 2| 2  son s. T h e family  eventual l y move d t o  Clos t e r ,  New Jersey  s o me y ear s l a t e r.

Since everyone in his family  had worked i n show bus i n ess a t some point,  Hunt  always felt he ' d end up i n enter t a i n men t too. While i n middle school  &  high school , he put on puppet s ho w s f o r l o c a l c h i l d r e n , & he w a s a fan o f t h e t h e n - fledgling  Muppet s  f r o m a young a g e. " I ' d drop an y thing t o watch t h e m, " h e s a i d , " I though t they  were weird . "

After high school   graduation  & a 4| 4  - month stint of do in g weather report s a t a local  radio   station ,  HUN T  had his first ink l in g that he might join  The Muppet s.  HUN T  ’ s mother ,  Jane  , recalled  HUN T  ’ s fir s t meet in g w i t h  JIM HE N S ON  :

"  Richard  h ad bee n watch in g  SESAME STREET , & he realized there might be an opportunity there . So he went to a phone booth , then he called  HE N S ON  Associates  , & a sk e d them , cold , if t he y were hiring  puppeteer s  . Amazing l y ,  Jim  was  audition in g  p e o p l e that very day . So  Richard  went right over t o 6 7 t h Street . He w as ushered in to a room , & t her e were  FRAN K  &  JIM  &  Jerry  & a box full o f  puppet s  . " They threw a puppet at me & s a i d s i t d o w n " ,  Richard  l ate r report e d t o  me  . " It was incredible. We just all talked together ! ! We knew right a way we had t h e same sense o f humor. . . &  I  thin k t hey like d me ! " "

 HUN T  ’ s 1| 1 s t  project  was  The Great S an ta C l a us Switch  i n  1 9 7 0 , a long with  F R AN B R ILL . A few wee k s l at e r, he was invite d to be in a work s hop   product i on. The new come r was s o g o o d, that  HE N S ON  asked him to work a Muppet  appear an c e on  T h e Ed Sullivan Show . Once again he s core d high mark s, & i n June 1 9 7 2  ,  Richard   HUN T  was hire d full - time o n  SESAME STREET .

 Hunt  mostly performed   back g round   character s  in early  special s. 1| 1 of his 1| 1  s t m a j or perform an c e s w as a s  Taminella Grinder fall  i n  T h e  Frog  Prince , Muppet eer in g the  character  while  Jerry Juhl   perform e d t h e voice. He also performed   Mildred Huxtetter  &  Big Mouse  i n  T h e Muppet s Valen tine S how , & many  m in or   character s  i n  T h e Muppet Show : Sex & Violence . He also performed   Wisss  on  Sat u r d a y N i g h t L i v e , &  Charlie B eave r  ,  Fred Lizard  &  George Rabbit  o n  Emmet Otter ’ s J u g B a n d Chris t m a s .

SESAME STREET
During his 1| 1 st few  sea s on s  on  SESAME STREET ,  Hunt  was basically a back g round  performer  , normally assist in g other  Muppet eer s  with  character s  ( performing the right hands of certain  character s  , & perform in g t h e back half o f  Mr . Snuffleupagus  ) or  performing   character s  t o pre - recorded track s. How ever, sooner or late r , he became 1| 1 o f t h e main  p e r f o r m e r s  , perform in g several memorable  character s  as  Sully  ,  Sonny Friendly  ,  Glad y s the Cow  ,  D on Music  , t h e  horn s - up half  of t he  Two - Headed Monster  (  right head  ) ,  Dip the Cat  ,  Placido Flamingo  &  Forgetful Jones . Hunt also appeared in the flesh on Episode 1 5 7 6  as Cedric the bird watch er, a long side  Madeline Kahn.

Although a very main performer  on the  show , n on e of  RICHARD   HUN T  ’ s  SESAME STREET   characters  actually became major  characters  in t h e same way a s  CAROLL SPINNEY  ’ s  OSCAR THE GROUCH  &  BIG BIRD  ,  F RAN K OZ  ’ s  Cookie Monster  , & eve n  Kevin C LASH  ’ s  Elmo  ( who  HUN T  actually performed a s a minor  character  fro m  1 9 8 4  to  1 9 8 5  ). Even after be in g a main Muppet eer ,  HUN T  would of ten perform i n  SESAME STREET   production s  ( like  Chris t m as  E v e o n  SESAME   STREET  &  DO N ’ t  Eat t h e P i c t u r e s  ) w he r e he did n ’ t perform  character  voice s.

 RICHARD   HUN T  serve d as a men t or to n ewe r Muppet eer s , especially  David RUD MA N . Any time that a new Muppeteer  would join the set of  SESAME STREET ,  HUN T  was the 1| 1  st to officially haze & initiate t h e m into t he group. Despite this, he always took new Muppet eer s  t o lunch , as well as any one on the set who want ed t o join him. He was known to of ten read the new s p ape r as he w a s perform in g  a  character  & do in g that  character  ’ s line s. Soon after  RICHARD  die d,  David R U D MA N  took over at least 3| 3 of his main  character s  fro m  SESAME STREET  :  Sonny Friendly  ,  RICHARD  ’ s  half  o f the  Two - Head ed Monster  &  Sully  along w / taking  Richard  ’ s place t o perform  Dip the Cat  t o  Kevin C L ASH  ’ s  Chip the Cat  once i n a  segment  f o r  Monster  piece Theater .

T h e Muppet Show
 Richard   Hunt  was also 1| 1 of the main  perform er s  on  T h e Muppet Show , & 1| 1  of 5| 5   perform er s  to be a regular  perform er  on all 5| 5   sea s on s. His main character  was  Scooter , but he also  perform ed  other  character s  l i k e  Beaker  ,  Statler  ,  Janice  , &  Sweetum s . Durin g season 1| 1, he share d t h e  role  o f  Miss Piggy  w /  FRANK OZ  , but by the end of sea s on 1| 1  ,  Miss Piggy  became  OZ  ’ s main  character  , &  HUN T  no longer  perform e d   her.

 Richard   Hunt  has also been noted for his fine singing voice. As  Scooter  he sang such songs  as "  T h ere ' s a N e w S o u n d  ",  A t t h e H o p  " & "  S i x String Orchestra  " . He also  performed   Wayne  , who was part o f the sing ing d u o  Wayne  &  Wanda  , & though the 2| 2  stopped appearing after sea s on 2| 2  after  Wanda  ' s  perform e r  ,  Eren Ozker  had left t he  show  ,  Wayne  eventually came back to make solo appear ance s every n o w & t hen , singing such  song s  a s "  F o r M e &amp; M y G o y l e  " & "  Catch a Fall i n g Star  ". Despite  Hunt  ’ s sing in g voice & the fact that  Janice  was a music i a n, play i n g guitar for the Electric Mayhem  ,  Janice  seldom sang lead vocals in  son g s. She did have  2  major l e ad - singing  performance s , sing in g "  With a Little Help f r om My Friend s  " & "  Rock in ' Robin  ".

In the 1 9 8 1   book   Of Muppets &amp; Men ,  Christopher Finch  describe d  Hunt  ’ s end l ess energy & humor. " He seems to get more un adulterated pleasure from perform ing than any one else i n t he organization, " Finch  wrote. " When he is not work in g on camera, he is apt t o have  Scooter  o r  Beaker  , or  Janice  - - any one  - - on his  ARM  for the purpose of enter tain in g visi tors to the studio . If there are no visi tors a round , he will attempt to enter t a i n his  c o - wor ker s  . . . Li ke  Jerry Nelson  , he is a versatile on - camera  performer  , but his importance to the  show  derives also from his o ff - camera personality . He make s the  c r e w  laugh , joke s with the  guest star  , c low n s for the shop personnel . He is 1| 1  of the chief reasons for t he loose atmosphere t hat ex is t s around Studio D| D  despite the pressure & the slow pace t hat are endemic t o T V  product i on. "

Fraggle Rock
On  Fraggle Rock ,  Richard   HUN T  had 2| 2 ma j o r  character s  ,  Junior G or g  &  Gunge. He also performed  a few fair l y min or & 1| 1  - s h o t guest  character s , & he original l y  perform ed   The Story teller Fraggle  ( be fore  Terry Angus  took o ver ). Richard w as most involve d w it h t h e show  during sea s o n 1| 1 , s i n c e  UN  l i k e  Sprocket  o r t h e m a i n 5| 5   Fraggle s  , his  character s  were n ' t need e d f o r ever y ( or almost every )  e p i sode. After that sea son, as the background performer s  began to do more  character  voice s on the  show  ,  Hunt   performed  less frequently on t h e  series  , spend in g his extra time on  SESAME STREET . Accord i n g to Terry Angus , " After t h e 1| 1  s t  sea s on  ,  RICHARD  did n ’ t come in as much cause his  character s  were n ’ t really called for t h at of ten & all o f  u s   C a n a d i a n s  were give n a chance t o d o  character s  every n o w & then which gave  Richard  an easier time o f it . Plus , he was go i n g down t o work o n  SESAME STREET  . "

 Richard   HUN T  a l s o assist ed in t h e audition process f o r back g round Muppet eer s  o n  Fraggle Rock .  HUN T  m ad e his direct or i a l  debut w it h t he  sea s on  5| 5   episode  "  The H on k of H on k s  . " He a l s o m a d e a  cameo  a s him s e l f ( " T h e Boss "  direct o r  ) i n  Fraggle s L oo k f o r J o b s , t h e  s h o w  ’ s w rap t a p e.

JERRY NEL S ON &  RICHARD   HUN T
 RICHARD   HUN T  ’ s character s  were often paired w / t he  character s  o f  JERRY NEL S ON . 1| 1 example i s, o n  SESAME STREET  ,  HUN T  ’ s  Sully  was the construct i on work er side kick t o  NEL S ON  ’ s  Biff . For  The Muppet Show ,  N E L S ON  ’ s  Floyd Pepper  w as often paired w /  HUN T  ’ s  Janice  i n music a l number s  & also i n a romantic relation s hip.  Floyd  also shared lead vocal s i n t h e " M r . B ass m an  "  number  w /  Scooter , w h o s e  uncle  ,  J . P . Grosse  ,  Muppet   Theater  owner , was perform ed by  NEL S O N  also.  HUN T  perform ed  Sweetums  a l on g side 1| 1 of  NEL S ON  ’ s  character s ,  ROBIN THE FROG  , ( t h e  nephew  o f  JIM HE N S ON  ’ s  KERMIT THE FROG  ) , in the s on g "  Two Lost Soul s  " , in  e p i sode 2 2 3  , & eve r since t he n ,  t h  e y  ’ ve been the best of friend s.  Hunt  a l s o per form e d Junior G or g , t h e son o f  NE L S ON  ’ s  Pa G or g  on  Fraggle Rock . Also, while  JERRY  perform ed   GRANNY GROUCH  ,  OSCAR THE GROUCH  ’ s  grand mother  ,  Richard  perform ed  GRANDPA GROUCH  ,  OSCAR  ’ s  grand father. T h e y  were n eve r i n the s a m e scene together, but it s how s yet another success f u l  pair in g.

Addition all y, the 2| 2  perform e r s  share d t he r ole o f t he  Two - Headed Monster . They also play the children in the Twiddle bug family  w /  Hunt  perform in g t he  son ,  Timmy Twiddle bug  &  Nelson   perform in g  t he  daughter  ,  Tin a Twiddle bug. A n other notable team - up include d  H UN T  ’ s r ole  as  Gun ge , normal l y paired w /  Marjory the  TRASH  Heap  ( a  NEL S ON   character  ) , in add it i on t o  DAVE GOELZ  ’ s  Philo   char acter. Both perform er s had  character s  named after them in t h e band  Little Jerry  &  the Mo no ton e s , w /  Hunt  perform in g  Rock in ' Richard  a long side  NEL S ON  ’ s  Little Jerry. Muppet eer  veteran   David RUD MA N  took over for both  Richard  ’ s  half  of t he  Two - Headed Monster  &  Sully  after Richard passed a way, keep i n g  Richard  ’ s legacy a live b y work i n g with  Jerry .

 JERRY NEL S ON  recalled the relation s hip :

"  Richard  came in to t he company  when he w a s pretty young, &  I  kin d - of took Richard under  my  w in g , when he 1| 1  s t came i n , since  F RAN K  &  Jim  were sort - of a team &  I  was like a straight man or foil that worked off  the  ir   character s  . So when  Richard  came i n ,  w  e got to a point where  w  e would work really well together . When  1  of  u  s would start to go some w her e , the other would know what was happen in g .  W  e played well together . Like with t h e  Two - Headed Monster  .  W  e were just goofing around on the set 1| 1  d a y , w it h out a  puppet  even , & 1| 1  of the  w rite r s  w a s t h e r e & s a i d , " What ' s t h at you ’ r e do in g ? " & w  e said, " 1| 1   monster  w i t h 2| 2  head s ! " & t h e y decided to do t hat . W  e had a lot of  characters  that worked together, like  Floyd  &  Janice  . We were good friend s . When  w  e had some place to g o ,  w  e would t rave l together . He was always so l at e that it used to drive  me  crazy . Event u all y  I  ’ d say , " If you ' re there ,  I  ’ ll see you at t he plane. If you ' re no t,  I  ’ ll see yo u w her e w  e ’ r e go i n g. "  Richard  &  I  were like w hat  Steve  &  Dave  are now . Yo u f in d s o m e b o d y you work w e ll w i t h, & have t h a t rapport w i t h .  I  k n ew a ll o f  Richard  ’ s family - his sister s & brother  - & we ’ d s pen d t i me together . "

JERRY NEL S ON /  RICHARD   HUN T  Muppet  P a i r i n g s

 *  Biff  /  Sully 
 *  The Two - Headed Monster 
 *  Little Jerry  / Rock in ' Richard
 * J . P . Grosse /  Scooter 
 *  Floyd Pepper  /  Janice 
 *  Floyd Pepper  /  Scooter 
 *  Floyd Pepper  /  Glad y s 
 *  Robin the Frog  /  Sweet um s 
 *  Robin the Frog  /  Scooter 
 *  Robin the Frog  /  Statler 
 * Tina Twiddle bug /  Timmy Twiddle bug
 * Pa G or g /  Junior G or g
 * Marjory the  TRASH  Heap /  Gun g e  ( w /  Philo  ( performed b y  Dave Goelz  ) )
 * Coffee Break Machine /  Lunch e on Counter Monster
 * Fred the Wonder Horse /  Glad y s the Cow
 *  Lew Zeal an d  /  Glad y s 
 *  Lew Zeal an d  /  Sweet um s 
 *  Lew Zeal an d  /  Scooter 
 *  Count von Count  /  G ran d pa Count  ( w /  G ran d ma Count  ( performed b y Camille Bonora  ) )
 *  Count von Count  /  Forget ful J one s 
 *  Count von Count  /  The Count ess 
 * Mickey Moose /  Ronald Duck
 * Melvin Milk /  Carl Carrot
 * Betty &amp; Melissa Pea nut Butter &amp; Jelly Sandwich e s
 * Y vette &amp; Danielle French Toast
 * Miss Mouse y /  Big Mouse
 *  Lavender   An y t h in g Muppet M a n  /  Canary  ( " Pretty Little Son g  " )
 * Lewis Kazagger /  Contender 9 8 0 11 6
 * Vile Bunch Drummer /  Blue Frackle
 *  A n d y  /  Eddie 
 *  Statler  ’ s Grand s on  /  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 /  B ill y the G row n up
 * Sherlock Hemlock /  Don Music
 *  Ernie  /  Bert  (  Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten  )
 * Cecil Bear /  Edgar Bear  ( w it h  Percival B ear  ( perform ed by  David RUD MA N  ) )
 *  T h e Chris t m as T o y  Rabbit s
 * Uncle Deadly /  Wayne
 * Uncle Deadly /  Scooter 
 *  GRANNY GROUCH  /  GRAND PA GROUCH 
 * Walter /  Victor
 * Stanley Weasel /  Fred Lizard 
 * Balthazar /  Belmont
 * Trevor Trout /  Space ship Surprise Mate
 * Twill /  Harrison
 * She r lock Hemlock /  W ode house
 * Sing in g F i r e men
 * Readers of the Open Range

Muppeteer  veteran   David Rud man  has been see n & h ear d taking  Richard   Hunt  ' s p lace i n these 3| 3  pair in g s he originally made with  Jerry Nelson  before he pass ed away :


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

L ate r Y ear s
During t he l at e 1 9 8 0 s ,  Richard   HUN T  was s t ill active i n new  product i on s  &  performing  new  character s. He performed   Tug Monster  o n t h e s h or t - live d  Little Muppet Monster s  series, &  The Wild Impresario  on t he short - live d  Ghost o f Faffner Hall . I n special s , he  perform ed   Lug s y  in  T h e Tale of t h e Bunny Picnic  &  Belmont  i n  T h e Chris t m as T o y .

 HUN T  had also occasionally appeared  on - screen in  movie s  & TV  product i on s. He made an on - screen cameo as a taxi driver in  The Great Muppet Caper , he played t he role of Wilson in  Trading   P l ace s  , & he played the role of Larry in Oxford Blue s. He also played the role of Del  in  JIM HENSON  ’ s failed pilot  Puppet m an . He also s pen t a n hour entertaining the audience during the taping o f  T h e Fantastic  Miss   Piggy  Show . In addition to direct in g  the aforementioned  Fraggle Rock   e p i s o d e ,  Richard   HUN T  also  directed  t h e  1 9 88   direct - t o - video   product i on   S in g - A long , Dance - A long , D o - A long  & also receive d full  direct i n g  credit s i n  Elmo  ’ s S i n g - A long Guess i n g Game  &  T h e  BEST  o f  Elmo .

Death
But t he n, most un fortunate ly ,  Richard   Henry   Hunt  die d o f A I D S - related complication s in 1 99 2. Among his last productions were  T he Muppet s Celebrate  Jim   Henson ,  Muppet* Vision 3 D  , &  Billy Bunny ’ s Animal S on g s  ( the last of which w as release d i n 1 99 3  , a y ear after his Death ).  Scooter , follow in g  HUN T  ’ s death , w as retire d & absent as a character  in all of the major  Muppet  product ion s till  Muppet s from Space  , in which  he  was voice d b y  Adam Hunt  ,  RICHARD   HUN T  ’ s surviving brother. He has since bee n  perform e d  b y  Matt Vogel ,  Brian Henson  ,  Rickey Boyd  & , also most recent l y & see m in g l y permanent l y , by  DAVID RUD MA N  , who carries  Richard  ' s legacy on to this very d ay , perform in g  Scooter  ,  Sully  ,  Janice  ,  Sonny Friendly  ( f or a short t i m e ) ,  Dip  , & Richard ' s  half  o f the  Two - Headed Monster . Very few of his other characters  ( with the notable except i on s of  Beaker ,  Statler  , &  Sweetums  , w ho were h a n d e d t o  Steve Whit mire  ,  Jerry Nelson  ( & l at e r  Steve W hit mire  ) , &  JOHN H E N S ON  (  son  o f  JIM H E N S ON  ) r e spec t i v e l y ) were recast w / new  performer s  for year s. Many of his other character s  were relegated to silent back g round role s, though a few , like have been gradually recast since then. Many of his other character s  ( like  Forgetful Jones  ) were relegated t o silent back g round role s, though several ( such a s  Gladys the Cow  ) have been gradually recast since then. Most of  HUN T  ’ s main  Muppet Show  character s  have bee n inherit ed by  STEVE W H IT M IRE  &  DAVID RUD MA N  in recent product i on s, including  2 0 11  ’ s  The Muppet s .

Accord in g to his p age on FindAGrave. com,  Hunt  was cremate d. Some ashes were spread into the flower garden at t he Hunt family home i n New Jersey. M an y p an e l s were create d in his honor for t he NAME S Project A I D S Quilt, including 1| 1 created by his  f r i e n d s  in the  Muppet   Work s hop.

Jon Stone, a former  direct or  f or  SESAME STREET  , said this at t he time o f Hunt ' s death : " It ' s impossible to imagine a world w it h out  Richard  . He came t o us a wide - eye d  1 8  - y ea r - o l d & grew in to a master  puppeteer  & inspire d teacher . No one ever had a more manic love of t h e outrage o u s & absurd ; no one could eve r make  me  laugh the way  RICHARD  could . A generation h a s g ro w n u p absorb i n g  RICHARD  ’ s a r t , &  I  have to believe that every one of t h em is a smart e r , funnier , strong er , sillier , more generous person be cause o f him . "

T he  Richard   Hunt  Spirit Award is annually presented a t the  SESAME STREET  w rap p art y  to the  c a s t   m e m b e r  who best honor s the generosity in spirit & dedicate d work of  RICAHRD   HUN T  in their act i o n s on s e t. The 2 0 1 0  winner w as  Leslie Carrara - Rudolph .

Muppet eer Credit s

 *  HUNT  ’ s primary Muppet   character s  :


 *  Gladys the Cow  : 1 9 7 3  -  1 99 2


 * Jennifer Barn hart :  2 00 3  - present
 *  Sully  :  SESAME STREET  season 5  -  1 99 2  )


 *  DAVID RUD M AN  : 1 99 2  -  1 999  )
 *  Scooter  :  T he Muppet Show  ( 1 9 7 6  ) -  Muppet* Vision 3 D  (  1 99 1  ) ;  1 99 2


 *  David R u d m an  :  Studio DC : Al most Live  host ed b y Selena Gomez  (  2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Stat l e r  (  T h e Muppet Show  ( 1 9 7 6  ) -  The Muppet s at Walt Disney World  (  1 99 0  ;  1 99 2  )


 *  Jerry Nelson  :  The Muppet Show : Sex &amp; Violence  ( 1 9 7 5  ) ;  T h e Muppet Chris t m as  Carol  (  1 9 9 2  ) -  Muppets Part y Cruise  (  2 00 3  )
 *  Steve Whit mire  : Weezer  ’ s "  Keep Fish in '  " music video  2 00 2  ) -  W E Day  (  2 0 1 6  )
 *  Sweetums  :  T he Muppet Show  ( 1 9 7 6  ) -  Muppet* Vision 3 D  (  1 99 1  ) ;  1 99 2  )


 * John Hen son :  Muppet Treasure Is la n d  (  1 99 6  ) -  The Muppet s ' Wizard of Oz  (  2 00 5  )
 *  Matt Vogel  :  Give a D ay . Get a Disney D ay .  ( 2 00 9  ) - present
 *  Janice  :  T he Muppet Show  ( 1 9 77  ) -  T he Muppet s Celebrate  Jim   Henson  (  1 99 0  ) ;  1 99 2


 *  DAVID RUDMAN  :  Studio DC : Almost Live  hosted b y Dylan &amp; Cole Sprouse  (  2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Beaker  :  T he Muppet Show  ( 1 9 77  ) -  Muppet* Vision 3 D  (  1 99 1  ) ;  1 99 2


 *  Steve Whit mire  :  T he Muppet Chris t m as Carol  (  1 99 2  ) -  W E Day  (  2 0 1 6  )
 *  The T wo - Headed Monster  ( right head ; 1 9 7 8  -  1 99 2  )


 *  DAVID RUDMAN  : 1 99 2  - present
 *  Forget ful Jones  ( 1 9 8 1  -  1 99 2  )


 * Michael Earl Davis (  1 9 7 9  -  1 9 8 1  )
 *  Sonny Friendly  : 1 9 8 6  -  1 99 2


 *  DAVID RUDMAN  : 1 99 2  -  2 000
 *  SESAME STREET  Character s  :  Aristotle ,  The Beetles  '  Lead Singer  ,  Billy t he Grown up  ,  Brad  ,  Captain Vegetable  (  1 9 8 3  -  1 9 8 4  ) ,  Carl the Cop  ,  Cheerful  ,  Dip  ,  D on Music  ,  Eddie  ,  Elmo  (  1 9 8 4  -  1 9 8 5  ) ,  Farmer Fowler  ,  Fenwick la Touche  ,  Flying Fish  ,  Forgetful Jones  ,  Sammy  or  Frankie  ,  Lavender Frazzletone  ,  Fur line Huskie  ,  Gilbert  ,  Gladys t he Cow  ,  Grandpa Count  ,  GRANDPA GROUCH  ,  Green   Alpha beat  ,  Grenadier Guard s man  ,  Harry  ,  Harvey Monster  ( occasion ally ) ,  Head line Howie  ,  John  ,  Kermit t h e Forg  ( "  We A r e A ll Mo n s t e r s  " ) ,  King Gerry  ’ s  Doctor  ,  Leak y  ,  Leo t he Party Monster  , a  lettuce  from "  G r o w H i g h G r o w L ow  " ,  Lavender   Librar ian  ,  Larry Rhymie  ,  Little Red Riding Hoo d  (  1 9 7 2  ) ,  Madame Schwartzhead  ,  Magic Mirror ( S now  GROUCH  )  ,  Maurice Monster  ( occasion ally ) ,  Old Mc Dou g a l  ,  M r . Mo se s  ,  M r . Snuffleupagus  ( back half , occasionally ; assist in g  Jerry Nelson  ) ,  Old King Cole  ’ s Band  Green  fiddler &  Lavender   drummer  ,  Old Mac Donald  (  1 9 8 0 s  ) , a pear from "  Bilingual Fruit Song  " ,  Placido Flamingo  (  1 9 8 6  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Potter Piper  , "  Reader s of t he Open Range  " name less  Pumpkin  cow boy ,  Richard  ,  Rock in ' Richard  ,  Rocky the Cat  ,  Rodeo Rosie  ( occasion all y ) ,  Sonny Friendly  (  1 9 8 6  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Spaceship Surprise Mate  ,  Stan  ,  Stuie Monster  ,  Sully  (  1 9 7 0 s  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Timmy Twiddle b u g  ,  Tommy  ,  Tough E d d i e  (  1 9 8 0 s  ) ,  Two - Headed Monster  (  right head  ) (  1 9 7 8  -  1 99 2  ) ,  U me ko ’ s Friend s  ,  Victor  ,  Willy Nilly  ,  W itch  ,  Yip Yip Martian s  ,  The Young Woman Who Lives in a Hat
 *  The Muppet Show  Characters  :  African Mask  ( M o u n ta in ),  Beagle  ,  Beaker  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Behemoth  (  episode 11 9 : Vincent Price  ) ,  Billy the Bear  (  epi sode 4 0 1 : John Denver  ) ,  Bobby Benson  ,  Blue Frackle  (  episode 1 0 3 : Joe l Grey  ,  episode 11 5 : Candice Bergen  ,  episode 202 : Zero Mostel  ,  episode 2 1 8 : Jay e P . Morg a n  ,  epi sode 3 0 7 : Alice Cooper  ) ,  Bubba  ,  Catgut  ,  Clive Cahuenga  ,  Contender 9 8 0 11 6  ,  Cow s  (  e pi sode 1 2 1 : Twiggy  ) ,  Doctor Pig  ,  D roop  (  epi sode 2 2 0 : Petula Clark  ) ,  George  ,  G eri &amp; t h e Atric s  ( False Teeth ) ,  Ghost  ,  Gingerbread Man  ,  Glad y s  ,  T h e Gogolala Jubilee Jug band  ( Purple  What no t  ) ,  Gorgon Heap  (  episode 11 6 : Avery Schreiber  ) ,  H a t  ,  Janice  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Lenny t he Lizard  (  epi sode 2 0 8 : Steve Martin  ) ,  Les  ,  Lubbock L ou  ( occasion all y ) ,  Luncheon Counter Monster  (  episode 22 3 : Jonn Cleese  ) ,  Lyle the Dog  (  epi sode 5 2 3 : Linda Ronstadt  ) ,  Ma le Ghost  ,  T he March Hare  ,  Mean Mama  (  episode 2 0 1 : Don Knotts  ,  episode 2 11 : Dom DeLuise  , &  episode 5 1 5 : Carol Burnett  ) ,  Mildred Huxtetter  (  episode 1 0 9 : Charles Azna vour  ) ,  Miss Kitty  (  episode 11 9 : Vincent Price  ) ,  Miss Piggy  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 9 77  , occasional l y ) ,  Oh boy Bird  ,  Paul Revere  ( leg s on ly ) ,  Quongo  (  epi sode 5 0 9 : Debbie Harry  ) ,  Ronald Duck  ,  Salz burg Sauerkraut Sing er  ,  Scooter  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ) ,  T he Showman  ,  Statler  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Sweetums  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Tin y  ,  Way ne  ,  Winny  ,  You k no w Bird  (  episode 2 1 8 : Jay e P . Mor g an  ) ,  Zelda Rose  (  episode 3 0 8 : Loretta Lynn  )
 *  Fraggle Ro ck  : Gunge ,  Junior Gorg  ,  Beige Fraggle  ,  Firechief Fraggle  ,  Flex Doozer  ,  Gillis Fraggle  ,  Herkimer Fraggle  ,  Genie  ,  Mud  well the  Mud  bunny  ,  The Odd Old Man  ,  Story teller Fraggle  (  episode 1 0 8  o n l y ) ,  Turbo Doozer  ,  Venerable Sage Lambo  ,  Wizard
 *  The Great San ta Cla us Switch  :  Bing
 *  The Ed Sullivan Show  : Harrison
 *  The  Frog  Prince  : Taminella Grinderfall  (  Muppetry  only )
 *  The Muppet s Vale n tine Show  : Big Mouse
 *  Saturday Night Live  : Wisss
 *  One to One  : The Queen of Phumph
 *  T h e Muppet Show : S ex &amp; Violence  : Mildred Huxtetter ,  Crazy Harry  ,  Hoggie Marsh  ,  Lust  ,  Oh boy Bird
 *  Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten 10  :  Bert 
 *  Emmet Otter ' s Jug - Band Christ mas  : Charlie Beaver ,  George Rabbit  ,  Fred Lizard
 *  Chris t mas Eve o n  SESAME   STREET  ( Extra  Muppet eer  )
 *  Little Muppet Monsters  : Tug Monster ,  Beaker  (  animated  ) , "  Muppet   Sport s  Short s " Narrator
 *  T he Muppet Movie  :  Scooter  ( 1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ),  Janice  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Beaker  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Sweetums  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ) &  Stat ler  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  )
 *  The Great Muppet Caper  :  Scooter  ( 1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ),  Janice  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Beaker  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Sweetums  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ) &  Stat ler  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  )
 *  The Muppets Take Manhattan  :  Scooter  ( 1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ),  Janice  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Beaker  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Statler  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ) &  Baby  Scooter 
 *  Follow That  BIRD  : Various  GROUCH   DON ' T  Drop Inn  Diner   Patron s ,  Gladys the Cow  (  1 9 7 3  -  1 99 2  )
 *  The Tale of the Bunny Picnic  : Lugsy
 *  A Muppet Family Christ mas  :  Scooter  ( 1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ),  Janice  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Beaker  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Two - Headed Monster  (  1 9 7 8  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Cow  &  The Snow man
 *  The Chris t mas To y  : Belmont
 *  Puppet man  : Del Zivic  ( o n - camera r ole ),  Gertha  ,  Earl
 *  Inner Tub e  : Crasher
 *  T h e Ghost of Faffner Hall  : The Wild Impresario
 *  T he Cosby Show  : Disagreeable Sandwich
 *  T he Muppet s at Walt Disney World  :  Scooter  ( 1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ),  Janice  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) ,  Beaker  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  ) &  Stat l er  (  1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  )
 *  Country Music with t he Muppet s  : Dog, Sheep
 *  T he Muppet s Celebrate  Jim   Henson  :  Scooter  ( 1 9 7 6  -  1 99 2  ) &  Janice  (  1 9 77  -  1 99 2  )
 *  Billy Bunny ' s Animal Son g s  : Edgar Bear ,  Raccoon 1

Trivia

 *  HUNT  w as right - handed.
 * Character s o f  RICHARD   HUNT  ’ s  Muppeteer   Veteran   DAVID RUDMAN  has performed once or consistently are :


 *  T he Two - Head ed Monster  ( right head ) : 1 99 2  - present )
 *  Scooter  :  Studio D C : Almost Live  host e d by Selena Gomez  (  2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Janice  :  Studio D C : Almost Live  host ed by Dylan &amp; Cole Sprouse  (  2 0 0 8  ) - present
 *  Sonny Friendly  ( 1 99 2  -  2 000  )
 *  Sully  ( 1 99 2  -  1 999  )
 *  Sweetums  :  The Cosby Show  ( 1 99 0  )
 * Dip the Cat (  1 99 2  )
 * Wayne :  The Muppet s  (  2 0 11  ) ;  Muppets Most Want ed  (  2 0 1 4  )
 * Bobby Benson :  T h e Muppet s  (  2 0 11  ) ;  Muppets Most Want e d  (  2 0 1 4  )
 *  Beaker  :  T he Muppet s Take the Bow l  ( 2 0 1 7  )

Note s

 * Episode 3 1 3 6 o f  SESAME STREET , which aired 22 month s after his death , was  dedicate d  in his memory , w it h a dedication sign follow in g t h e credit s.
 *  The Muppet Chris t ma s Car o l  is  dedicate d  "  In loving memory o f   JIM HE N S ON  &  RICHARD   HUN T  ".
 * The book  JIM   HE N S ON  : T he Work s  & the  SESAME STREET  album   W e A r e All E a r t h l i n g s , both release d in  1 99 3  , were  dedicate d   to the memory  of  RICHARD   HUN T .
 * Some time s,  RICHARD   HUNT  would entertain v i s i t o r s on the set by perform in g  a  character  ordinarily play ed by another  Muppet eer  ,  assuming t he voice  & personality o f which eve r  puppet  w a s o n - h and.

E x t e r n a l l i n k s

 * Y o u r F a c e !
 * Muppet Central ’ s Tribute t o  RICHARD 
 * Muppet C a s t ’ s p o d c a s t Tribute t o  RICHARD 
 * RICHARD HUN T o n I M D b

S e e a l s o

 *  RICHARD   HUNT  Cameo s
 *  Muppet eer s 
 * Muppet  Performer s
 * Muppet  Puppeteer s
 * Muppet  Voice Actor s
 * Animate d Voice Actor s
 * Direct or s
 * T h e  R A I N B O W  Connect ion :  RICHARD   HUNT , Gay Muppet e e r ( z in e )
 *  RICHARD HUNT  o n t h e Muppet   W i k i
 *  RICHARD HUNT  o n t h e Puppet W i k i
 *  RICHARD HUNT  o n t h e  OSCAR   THE   GROUCH  W i k i