Matt Vogel

''' Matthew J. " Matt " Vogel II''' ( b. October 6 th, 1970 ) is an accomplished puppeteer in his own right. However, ever since joining Sesame Street in 1996 , he has become most familiar for his work as Caroll Spinney  's Sesame Street understudy for Big Bird for the " Journey to Ernie " segments , several street scenes & other appearances whenever  Caroll Spinney  is unavailable. He has also performed various Anything Muppets & CGI characters on " Elmo ' s World ", & plays Big Bird ' s infant self , Baby Big Bird in the Sesame Beginnings DVD series. Also, apparently , it has been decided that , when Caroll Spinney  retires or passes away ,  Vogel is to be the new Big Bird. However, whether or not Vogel will be taking over for Caroll Spinney  's role of  Oscar the Grouch  as well , is still unknown. Most recently, he ' s also served as assistant puppet captain on Sesame Street.

Vogel has also taken over for most of Jerry Nelson  ' s characters several years before  Nelson  ' s death, by the suggestion of  Jerry Nelson  himself , personally. Vogel is, as of 2008 , the new permanent performer of Floyd Pepper , Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Robin the Frog & Camilla the Chicken following Nelson  ' s retirement. He has also taken over the Muppetry  of  Jerry  ' s greatest, most famous character ever , Count von Count , but  Jerry  kept performing the voice. Jerry continued performing the voice till his very tragic death on Thursday, August 23 rd , 2012. Vogel has now assumed both voice & Muppetry  duties of the character, starting w/ a YouTube video. Vogel also performed the gray   Grouch  in the  Grouch  spoof of Spamalot called  "  Scramalot  ".

Vogel 's other Muppet credits include work, assisting or in supporting roles , on Big Bag , Bear in the Big Blue House , Sesame English , &  The Adventures of Elmo in Grouch land  , as well as various pigeons in the Creature Shop film The Producers. Works outside of the Henson  fold include the video series  MATHmatazz ,  Jack's Big Music Show ,  The Puzzle Place  , the HBO drama   Oz  ,  Oobi  , Blue 's Room , & Between the Lions.

In theater, Vogel has acted in regional productions of various plays including  The Foreigner  & Six Degrees of Sparation  , & was involved in the 2003 - 2004 Broadway run of Little Shop of Horrors , manipulating Audrey II & playing various bums & Skid Row residents ( alongside Martin P . Robinson  & Anthony Asbury ). In addition to Muppeteer ing, Vogel ' s interest in music is made evident by his non - Sesame role as front man for the band , The Mighty Weaklings released a CD of songs " for ki ds - - & grown - ups " called  You Can ' t Rock Sittin ' Down  in June of 2008 after appearing in the video for their song " Rocket Ship " on Jack ' s Big Music Show. Vogel, with Joey Mazzarino  , co - owns Pratfall Productions , which produced the film - noir puppet spoof  Murder , He Squeaked  & various inserts for Sesame Street , Sesame Street videos & [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Nickelodeon Nick Jr. ] 's  Curious Buddies . Vogel also serves as director for Sesame Street beginning with Season 39 & the recurring segment, " Murray Has a Little Lamb ".

Matt & his wife Kelly live in the Big Apple with their 5 children.

Episodes Where Vogel Played Big Bird
In addition to the Journey to Ernie segments & inserted clips, Matt has also played Big Bird in many scenes including:
 * A sketch where Big Bird explains to Elmo that plants can't play catch.
 * A sketch where Big Bird show up & down.
 * A segment where Big Bird & Snuffy present the Spanish Word of the Day: teléfono ( telephone ).
 * 3790: 1 of the earliest instances of Vogel inside of the Big Bird suit, operating it to a vocal track by Caroll Spinney , beginning when  Oscar  appears partway into the episode.
 * 3831: For the times where Oscar  & Big Bird appear together, Vogel is actually doing Big Bird's  Muppetry, at 1 point lip-syncing it to a vocal track by  Spinney.
 * 3851: For the scene where Elmo & Big Bird are practicing the tango, Vogel performs Big Bird's Muppetry  to a vocal track by  Spinney.
 * 3877
 * 3907
 * 3958 (3790 repeat)
 * 3987
 * 3997 : For all the parts of this episode  where  Oscar  & Big Bird don't share a scene, Big Bird is completely played by  Spinney , however , since the  episode  is mainly about  Oscar ; but for the parts when  th ey share a scene,  Spinney  is  Oscar , & Vogel performs Big Bird 's  Muppetry , to a vocal track by  Spinney.
 * 4028: Big Bird & Bob sing Rub Your Tummy with a group of kids.
 * 4074
 * 4075 (with Cookie Monster performed, once again, by original performer,  Muppeteer  Veteran  Frank Oz )
 * 4107 & 4108: The Adventures of Little Big Bird (mini Big Bird only)
 * 4109: Vogel Muppeteers Big Bird during the song "Everyone Needs a Friend" to Spinney 's vocals.
 * 4155: Vogel performs Big Bird (voice & Muppetry ) for his cameo at the beginning.
 * 4187: Vogel operated Big Bird during the green -screen scenes to a vocal track by Spinney.
 * 4203: Vogel played Big Bird to a vocal track by Caroll Spinney.
 * 4206: In the brief moment where we actually see Big Bird's actual crash when he is wedged inside the little wall in front of 123 Sesame Street, Vogel is Big Bird.
 * The Street We Live On: in the intro to "Journey to Ernie"
 * The Sunny Side Up Show
 * In "What I Am", & " Elmo  's Got the Moves", Vogel performs Big Bird 's Muppetry  to  Spinney 's voice.
 *  The Adventures of  Elmo  in  Grouchland : In many scenes throughout the movie, Matt Vogel Muppeteered the Big Bird suit to a vocal track by  Caroll Spinney  as the latter performed  Oscar the Grouch , a protagonist in the  film.

Matt Vogel / David Rudman Muppet Pairings

 * Howie Eatswell / Cookie Monster
 * Gary Gill / Baby Bear
 * 2  Scramalot   Grou ches 
 * Floyd Pepper / Janice
 * Floyd Pepper / Scooter
 * Robin the Frog / Sweetums ( soon )
 * Robin the Frog / Scooter ( soon )
 * Lew Zealand / Scooter ( soon )
 * Crazy Harry / Scooter ( soon )
 * Crazy Harry / Wayne ( soon )
 * Uncle Deadly / Bobby Benson ( soon )

Muppeteer Credits

 * Vogel ' s main Muppet characters :
 * Count von Count : Counting the "You"s in YouTube ( 2013 ) - present
 * Jerry Nelson : Sesame Street Episode 0406 ( Season 4 premiere ) ( 1972 ) - 2012 )
 * Floyd Pepper : Studio DC : Almost Live hosted by Selena Gomez ( 2008 ) - present )
 * Jerry Nelson : The Muppet Show : Sex & Violence ( 1975 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 ) ; Studio DC : Almost Live hosted by Dylan & Cole Sprouse ( 2008 ) ( voice only )
 * Lew Zealand : A Muppets Christ mas : Letters to San ta ( 2008 ) - present
 * Jerry Nelson : The Muppet Show Season 3 ( 1978 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 )
 * Robin the Frog ( A Muppets Christ mas : Letters to San ta ( 2008 ) - present )
 * Jerry Nelson : The Frog Prince ( 1971 ) - Jim Henson : Creator of Dreams ( 2003 ) )
 * Crazy Harry : Stars & Stripes Forever ( 2008 ) - present )
 * Jerry Nelson : The Muppet Show Season 2 ( 1977 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 )
 * Camilla the Chicken : Classical Chicken ( 2008 ) - present
 * Jerry Nelson : The Muppet Show Season 3 ( 1978 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 )
 * Big Bird ( understudy ) ( ca . 1998 - present
 * Caroll Spinney : Sesame Street Episode 1 ( 1969 ) - present
 * Sesame Street : Big Bird ( understudy ; ca . 1998 - present ) ), Granny Bird ( Episode 3979 & Episode 3980 ; puppeteer only ) , Count von Count ( assistant & puppeteer only , through 2012 ; 2013 - present ) , Harvey Kneeslapper , [Butch Tig er ] The Dragon , Yellow Ball ( Episode 3714 ) Anderson Cucumber Letter of the Day Announcer , Maurice Pig ( episode 4095 ) , Gassy ( Dwarf #3 ) ( episode 4114 ) , Baby Bear ( assistant ) , Ernie ( assistant ) ( 2000 - 2003 ) , Darth Chicken , " Elmo 's World " CGI Furniture , Humpty Dumpty ,  Herb , David Letterguy ( episode 4125 ) , Rapunzel ' s Prince ( episode 4127 ) , Gardener , Groucho Marx Muppet , Howie Eatswell ( episode 4138 ) , Ant ( episode 4147 ) , Megan ( Are You Smarter Than an Egg Layer ? ) , Mr . Pogosticker , Pino , Professor Gary Gill ,  Scramalot   Grouch  , Wyoming Walt, Mr . Yak , the guinea pig ( Pre - School Musical ) , The Super Foods banana , etc . , Hubert the Human Cannonball , The Cube ( character )
 * Don't Forget to Watch the Movie
 * Big Bag
 *  Big Bird  Gets Lost
 * Telling the Truth
 *  Elmo  Saves Christ mas
 * Telling the Truth : Additional Muppeteer
 *  Elmo  palooza
 * Bear in the Big Blue House
 * Sesame Street Goes to the Doctor : Hoarse Horse
 * A Brief History of Motion Pictures
 *  The Adventures of Elmo in Grouch land 
 * Play With Me Sesame : Ernie ( assistant )
 * Muppet RaceMania : Scooter & Janice ( voices )
 *  Elmo  ' s Magic Cookbook : Glass of Water
 * Music Works Wonders
 * Sesame Street 4 - D Movie Magic
 * A Celebration of Me,  Grover 
 * Sesame Beginnings : Baby Big Bird
 * The Producers : Pigeons
 * Ki ds ' Favorite Country Songs : Elmer
 *  Elmo  's Christ mas Countdown : Stiller the Elf ( Muppetry  only )
 * Studio DC : Almost Live ! : Floyd Pepper ( Muppetry  only, character was performed to  Jerry Nelson  ' s vocals )
 * Studio DC : Almost Live ! : Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken
 * Abby in Wonderland
 * A Muppets A Muppets Christ mas : Letters to San ta : Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Robin the Frog , Camilla the Chicken
 * Here for You : Chester ' s Dad
 * Coming Home
 * Food for Thought
 * Fami lies Stand Together
 * Muppet viral videos
 * Bohemian Rhapsody : Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Camilla the Chicken
 * Christ mas in Rockefeller Center : Floyd Pepper
 * Give a Day . Get a Disney Day . : Sweetums
 * The Muppet Show Theme Music Video : Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Robin the Frog , Camilla the Chicken , Dr . Julius Strangepork , Uncle Deadly , Sweetums
 * The Muppets : Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Robin the Frog , Camilla the Chicken , Dr . Julius Strangepork , Uncle Deadly , Sweetums , Rowlf the Dog Moopet , Janice Moopet , Wanda ( Muppetry  ) Singing Food in " Me Party " , ' 80s Robot
 * Late Night with Jimmy Fallon : Robin the Frog ( " When the River Meets the Sea " )
 * Monstruos Supersanos : Dr . Ruster
 * Little Chil dren, Big Challenges : Incarceration : Alex
 * Muppets Most Wanted : Robin the Frog, Floyd Pepper , Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Camilla the Chicken , , Dr . Julius Strangepork , Uncle Deadly , Pops , Sweetums , Constantine , ' 80s Robot
 * Lady Gaga & the Muppets ' Holiday Spectacular : Floyd Pepper, Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Camilla the Chicken
 * The Muppets : Operation STS ( Save the Swamp ) : Robin the Frog, Floyd Pepper , Lew Zealand , Crazy Harry , Camilla the Chicken , Dr . Julius Strangepork , Uncle Deadly , Pops ( voice only ) , Droop ( voice only ) , Aunt Googles , ' 80s Robot

Non - Henson Credits

 *  Oz  : Pecky
 * Between the Lions : Rumplestiltskin, Derek Cheetah , Monkey Ad Executive ( Jeff Kidding ) , various characters
 *  Jack ' s Big Music Show  : Leonard the Squirrel, MC Turtle , The Squirrels , etc.
 * Scooby - Doo ! Adventures : The Mystery Map - Fred Jones ( Frank Welker served as Fred ' s voice )

Trivia

 * The day Matt Vogel was introduced to Caroll Spinney  at his 1 st audition for the part of Big Bird, the  latter  remarked , " Vogel is German for Bird . That's a good sign . "
 * The word " Vogel " is Dutch for Bird as well.
 * The protective slip pers Vogel wears over Big Bird ' s fe et when he ' s not on set are labeled, respectively , " Vogel " & " Füsse " , meaning " bird " & " fe et " , or read together " bird ' s fe et ".
 * Matt Vogel is left - handed, but still performs  the bodies of Crazy Harry , Robin the Frog & Floyd Pepper , apparently with his right hand like  Jerry Nelson  did , making Crazy Harry , Robin the Frog & Floyd Pepper left - hand ed.
 * Characters of Jerry Nelson  ' s Matt Vogel has performed once or consistently are :


 * Count von Count : 2000 s - 2012 ( Assistant ; Muppetry  only )  Muppetry  & voice together : Counting the " You " s in You Tube ( 2013 ) - present )
 * Floyd Pepper : Studio DC : Almost Live hosted by Selena Gomez ( 2008 ) - present
 * Lew Zealand : A Muppets Christ mas : Letters to San ta ( 2008 ) - present
 * Robin the Frog : A Muppets Christ mas : Letters to San ta ( 2008 ) - present
 * Crazy Harry : Stars & Stripes Forever ( 2008 ) - present
 * Camilla the Chicken : Classical Chicken ( 2008 ) - present
 * Dr . Julius Strangepork : Bohemian Rhapsody ( 2009 ), The Muppets ( 2011 ) )
 * Uncle Deadly : The Muppets ( 2011 )
 * Pops : Behind - the - scenes video ( 2011 ), " Food Fight " Muppisode ( 2013 )
 * The Big Bad Wolf : Sesame Street Episode 4319 ( 2013 )