Jerry Nelson

 Jerry Nelson  ( July 10 th, 1934 - August 23 rd , 2012 ) began his Muppeteer ing career working for Bil Baird. He joined the company in 1970 & began working regularly on Sesame Street. Since then, Nelson has performed as a principal Muppeteer  in numerous Muppet productions including the Muppet movies , The Muppet Show , Fraggle Rock , & various TV specials.

Jerry Nelson 's most famous characters on The Muppet Show are, Crazy Harry , Floyd Pepper , Robin the Frog , ( the nephew of Him Henson  's Kermit the Frog ) , Pops , Lew Zealand , Emily Bear ( mother of  Frank Oz  's Fozzie Bear ) , Camilla the Chicken , & several others. It was he who originated the role of Statler to Him Henson  's Waldorf, but he soon passed it on to his very good friend  Richard Hunt  , with whom he was paired on several occasions. Then, after Hunt  sadly passed away , Nelson became Statler again. He 'd also voiced a number of  Grouches  over the years.

In 2004, Nelson announced he would be moving away from performing his classic Muppet characters , citing health reasons. However, he continued to  voice  his characters on Sesame Street. In 2005 Nelson was 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 characters , including Dr. Teeth & the Doozers.

In late 2009, Nelson released his debut ( & tragically his only ) album Truro Daydreams.

Early works with Henson
Jerry Nelson 1 st worked with Jim Henson  in 1965 when  Frank Oz  got drafted &  Henson  needed somebody to perform Rowlf the Dog 's right hand on The Jimmy Dean Show. However, Frank Oz  failed his draft physical , but since Nelson had just gotten his job ,  Oz  chose to take some time off from performing & thereby let Nelson stay w/ the Muppets.

1 of Nelson 's 1 st major roles was Featherstone in ''[http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Hey,_Cinderella Hey, Cinderella ! ] & The Frog Prince''. In the early 70s he also performed a full - body monster named Thog who appeared in The Great San ta Cla us Switch & various variety show appearances. In The Frog Prince, he performed Kermit the Frog 's nephew Robin the Frog for the 1 st time ; however , in that appearance , although Robin 's voice & personality were the same , the character was actually a prince who was turned into a frog. Nelson also performed T.R. & Caleb Stiles in The Muppet Musicians of Bremen, Scred on SNL , & Emmet Otter in 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 characters, including Herbert Birdsfoot, Sherlock Hemlock , Herry Monster , The Amazing Mumford , Little Jerry , Simon Soundman , & Farley. In 1972, he was given the characters who is perhaps his best - known character , Count von Count.

Another well - known character Nelson had performed was Big Bird 's best friend, '''[http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Snuffleupagus Mr. Snuffleupagus ]'''. However, most sources ( including Sesame Street Unpaved & Sesame Street : A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street ) state that physical strain placed on him by the large puppet eventually hurt his back so much that he had to stop performing the character ( although Nelson continued to supply the voice only for a time ). In a 2009 interview Jerry Nelson gave a different explanation for giving up the role : " I was not loath to give that character up . But the reasons for giving it up were because at that 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 up . " He also did announcer voices very often , including the announcers for the Sesame Street News Flash & Super Grover openings.

Other notable characters in Nelson 's repertoire included [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Johnson Mr. Johnson ], Frazzle , Sam the 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 this , a Two - Headed Monster character was created for them. Jerry Nelson performed the left half of the monster, & cause of this , had to perform the characters 's head w/ his left hand. ( Most performers  use their right hands to perform the heads of their characters . ) They would also alternate in performing the character Rodeo Rosie. Nelson & Hunt  also performed a construction worker duo known as Biff & Sully. Muppeteer veteran  David Rudman  can been seen & heard taking  Richard Hunt  's place in these 3 pairings  Hunt  originally made with Nelson before  he  passed away :


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

39 Years on a 40 Year Street : An Essay by Jerry Nelson
" Today marks the 40 th 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 . Still in all , it is humbling to have been a part of something so significant in the history of the media that was born in my lifetime.

Forty years, seems like a lifetime. Over half of my 75 years 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 20 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 grandparents used to give me a quarter to learn & sing songs when I was a sprout about 5 years old. "South of the Border " was maybe the 1 st of a long list of tunes & 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 in the world, but I like to think so.

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 ways.

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 underprivileged preschool chil dren, but what happened was that the show charmed , taught , & brought love & laughter into the hearts & minds of chil dren & adu lts all over the world.

Chance, dumb luck or destiny ? 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 lifetime that, I studied & trained for , wandered the paths of least resistance ( following my water nature ) to , & that I am either blessed & 1 of the luckiest bozos walking this planet or both. In any case : Yeehaw, Hot Dawg , you old mustang you & Boy Howdy , today I 'm celebrating by getting all my chores done for once ! (Oh, didn't I tell you ? I 'm also the laziest man on Earth . )

Norman Stiles, who was the 1 st writer to write for Count , sent me this yesterday :

' It ' s a beautiful thing. Happy Birthday ! Let's put 40 candles in the cake ! Then let's light 40 candles ! Then let's blow out 40 candles ! Then we must take 40 candles out of the cake ! Then it will be< time to lick the icing off of 40 candles ! Then we'll eat the cake, taking 1,000 tiny little bites ! & then we will count the burps ! Ha, ha , ha ! '

Norman, obviously hasn't lost it but .... I wish I'd said that ! " Jerry Nelson

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 & Violence, for the very 1 st time , he performed Electric Mayhem bass player Floyd Pepper. In that special he also performed Statler, Dr. Nauga, Gluttony , Envy , Sloth , the Yellow Stalk , Whaddayasay Bird & the Gene Shalit Muppet. Also in season 1, another of Jerry 's characters , 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 couldn't perform  in every 1 st - season episode. As a result, 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 , etc . ) from previous productions. Nelson didn ' t perform in episodes 101 - 103 & 111 - 115. However, when the 1 st 2 episodes were reworked later in season 1 , Nelson performed Floyd in a segment that was added to episode 102.

None of Nelson 's characters were as central to the show as characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy , & Scooter , & therefore Nelson often played major 1 - shot backstage characters , such as Irving Bizarre , Big Tiny Tallsaddle , & Angus McGonagle. His notable recurring characters included Camilla the Chicken, Pops , Louis Kazagger , & [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Dr._Julius_Strangepork Dr. Julius Strangepork ]. 1 such character, Lew Zealand , was originally intended as a 1 - shot , but soon became a recurring character. Beginning in season 2, Nelson took over 2 of John Lovelady 's roles : The announcer & Crazy Harry. Nelson went on to perform nearly every Muppet announcer in a major Henson  production until 2002. He was also given such rarely - seen recurring characters as [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/J._P._Grosse 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 showcases on The Muppet Show. Some of Nelson ' s regular characters, like Floyd & Slim Wilson , were musicians & sang very often. Many of his other characters have displayed their musical talents, whether it was Robin the Frog singing " Halfway Down the Stairs " or " I ' m Five " , Thog singing " Oh Babe What Would You Say " or Pops singing " Once in Love with Amy ". Nelson has also performed many songs as 1 - shot characters, including " All of Me " , " The Windmills of Your Mind " , & " 3 Little Fishies ". 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 1978 " 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 childlike curiosity about how things work . Uncle Deadly is the greatest ham actor of all time ; Floyd is my laid - back , mellow side - cool . & then there'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 years : " 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 singing & I get to sing a lot . I get to be in a band ( the Electric Mayhem ) without really being in a band . All of those things make me say, ' Well , that's 1 blessing . That's another blessing . "

1980 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 the character of Junior Gorg. Jerry Nelson was 1 of the few Muppet performers  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 characters on The Jim Henson Hour, though his only recurring [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Jim_Henson_Hour character on that show ] was Beard. However, in 1982 , 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.

1990 s
Jerry, not long after Richard Hunt  's sudden , tragic death in 1992 , 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 , Robin ( as Tiny Tim ) , Mr. Applegate , & the Ghost of Christmas Present in The Muppet Christ mas Carol , as well as Statler ( as a figure on the Hispanola ship ). Floyd, Mad Monty & Blind Pew in Muppet Treasure Island. Robin was seen in the opening of this movie but it is unknown whether or not Jerry gave him any lines to say.

Nelson performed many minor characters on Muppets Tonight, & occasionally performed on ''[http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Wubbulous_World_of_Dr._Seuss The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss ]''. He performed his regular characters as well as Ubergonzo in Muppets from Space, & he performed Count von Count as well as both the Grouch   Mayor  & the  Grouch   Cop  in the 1999 film ,  The Adventures of Elmo in Grouch land .

2000s
Beginning around 2001, Jerry Nelson began to phase out of performing his primary Muppet Show characters ; citing health reasons. Many of his characters drifted to silent background roles & several were recast ( Statler was handed to Steve Whitmire  starting with 2002 's " Keep Fishin' " 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 2001 ). For the 2002 TV movie It's a Very Merry Muppet Christ mas Movie, Bill Barretta  performed the  Muppetry  & voice of Lew Lealand , but the voices of Maxine , Pops , Statler , the old Announcer of the Muppet Theater , Robin the Frog , & Floyd Pepper were actually looped by Nelson himself. Nelson also continued to voice his Sesame Street characters, including Count von Count & The Amazing Mumford , although Matt Vogel   performed  the  Muppetry  of said characters. Vogel, by 2008 , 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  Muppeteers  in the business. Beginning around 2001 complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease & prostate cancer limited Nelson 's involvement with the high - demanding Muppet projects. Nelson openly stated in August 2006 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 continued to perform on Sesame Street & had participated in exclusive DVD interviews for the 1 st 2 seasons of Fraggle Rock & Emmet Otter ' s Jug - Band Christ mas.

2010 s
Nelson, although he was uncredited , actually did reprise his role as the Announcer during The Muppet Telethon in 2011 ' s The Muppets. Audio clips 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 as Announcer for Jim Henson  ' s Musical World in 2012.

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

Then, on August 23rd , 2012 , most , most , unfortunately , Muppeteer  Veteran Jerry Nelson passed away at his Cape Cod home after years of COPD complicated health issues. Among Nelson 's latest performances for Sesame Street ' s 43rd season include the song " Five By " as the Count & " The Coffee Plant " as [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Johnson Mr. Johnson ] ( which would be the 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 4401 as the Count. & & the street story of episode 4411 as the Count. Nelson also voiced the Count in the 1 st installment of Kinect Sesame Street TV & the Universal Studios Singapore attraction, Spaghetti Space Chase ( as well as the SSNN announcer in the pre - show ). Nelson ' s later work for Sesame Street will continue to air into Season 44.

Muppeteer Credits

 * Nelson 's primary Muppet characters :


 * Count von Count ( Sesame Street Episode 0406 ( Season 4 premiere ) ( 1972 ) - 2012 )


 *  Matt Vogel  ( Counting the "You"s in YouTube ( 2013 ) - present )
 * Herry Monster ( 1972 - 2012 )
 * Mr . Johnson ( 1972 - 2012 )
 * The Amazing Mumford ( 1971 - 2012 )
 * The Big Bad Wolf ( 1971 - 2012 )


 * Martin P . Robinson ( 1984 - 2006 )
 * Joey Mazzarino ( 1990 s - 2006 ; 2012 )
 * Tyler Bunch ( 2007 - present )
 * Robin the Frog ( The Frog Prince ( 1971 ) - Jim Henson : Creator of Dreams ( 2003 ) )


 *  Matt Vogel  ( A Muppets Christ mas : Letters to San ta ( 2008 ) - present )
 * Floyd Pepper ( The Muppet Show : Sex & Violence ( 1975 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 ) ; Studio DC : Almost Live hosted by Dylan & Cole Sprouse ( 2008 ) ( voice only ) )


 *  Matt Vogel  ( Studio DC : Almost Live hosted by Selena Gomez ( 2008 ) - present )
 * Crazy Harry ( The Muppet Show Season 2 ( 1977 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 ) )


 *  Matt Vogel  ( Stars & Stripes Forever ( 2008 ) - present )
 * Lew Zealand ( The Muppet Show Season 3 ( 1978 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 ) )


 *  Matt Vogel  ( A Muppets Christ mas : Letters to San ta ( 2008 ) - present )
 * Camilla the Chicken ( The Muppet Show Season 3 ( The Muppet Show Season 3 ( 1978 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 ) )


 *  Matt Vogel  ( Classical Chicken ( 2008 ) - present )
 * The Two - Headed Monster ( left head ; 1980 - 2002 )


 * Joey Mazzarino ( 2003 - present )
 * Statler ( The Muppet Show : Sex and Violence ( 1975 ) ; The Muppet Christ mas Carol ( 1992 ) - Muppets Party Cruise ( 2003 ) )


 * Richard Hunt ( The Muppet Show ( 1976 ) - The Muppets at Walt Disney World 1990 ) ; 1992 )
 * Steve Whitmire ( Weezer 's " Keep Fishin ' " music video ( 2002 ) - present )
 * Mr . Snuffleupagus ( 1971 - 1978 )


 * Michael Earl Davis ( 1978 - 1980 )
 * Martin P. Robinson ( 1980 - present )
 * Sesame Street : Adam T . Glaser, Al , Andy , a Banana from " Bilingual Fruit Song " ( speaking voice only ) , Bad Humor Man  (  Episode 3085  ) , Barry Rhymie , Bennett Snerf ( monster version ) , Biff , Big Barney , Big Jeffy ( in a sketch where Grover & the Monotones demonstrate the word " Walk " ) , Bill Compton Muppet , Bill Smith , Billy , Birdnardo Birdaluchi , Bowler hat , Carlos , Charlie ( occasionally ) , Chester O ' Leary , Christopher Columbus , Chunky Cheese , Clam , Cookie Hood , Cookie Monster ' s Pop & Sister , Corny the Corn , Count von Count ( 1972 - 2012 ) , Cousin Monster , Cyranose de Bergerac , David Finch , Dr . Livingstone , Dr . Snuffleupagus , Baby Monster ,  Ernest the Grouch  , Farley , Farley ,  Felix the Grouch  , Fico , Football , Frankie Monster, Frazzle , Fred the Wonder Horse , Frog ( " We Are All Earthlings " ) , The Genie (1976) , George , George Washington ( " News Flash "<?span> ) ,  Granny Grouch  , Green " Fat Cat " performer , Green Ed , Guntag Gelman - Jones , H . Ross Parrot , Harvey Monster , Herbert Birdsfoot , Herry Monster ( 1970 - 2003 ) , Hickory Dickory Duck , Hopalong Hamster , Humpty Dumpty , I . M . Pig , J Friend , Jack Be Nimble , Jackman Wolf , Japanese Storyteller , Jerome , Joe , Kathleen the 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 . Johnson , Mr . Lucky , Mr . Snuffleupagus ( 1971 - 1978 ) , Natalie, Nick Normal , Noel Cowherd , Number Guy , Oak Tree , Old King Cole , Pamela , Parker Monster , Phil Harmonic , Pierre , Piper Piper , a potato from " Low Grow High Grow Low " , Poco Loco , Prince Firstly , Professor Nucleus Von Fission , Pumpkin Monotone ( in the song " Proud " ) , Ricardo Monsterban , Rick , Rocky , Rocky , Rodeo Rosie , Ronnie Trash , Sam the Robot, Sammy , Sammy the Snake , Sergeant Thursday , Sheriff Shrimp , Sherlock Hemlock , Simon Soundman , Sir John Feelgood ,  Slimey  ( c . 1978 ) , Smart Tina , Sneaky the Elf , Sullivan ( " Numerical Correspondence " ) , Teeth , The Amazing Mumford , The Big Bad Wolf ( 1971 - 2012 , 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 in the Kingdom , The Sun , The Young Man Who Lives in a Glove , Tina Twiddlebug , Tony ( 1970 ) , Tony , Tornado , Tough Eddie , Trevor Trout , The Two - Headed Monster ( 1978 - 2002 ) , Uncle Louie , Uncle Talbot , Vern ,  Vidal Spittoon  , Walter , Walter , Witch , Xaiver , Yip Yip Martians , Zizzy Zoomer , The Oat Bran Zydeco " Je Ne Sais Quoi " Band Lead Singer , various announcers & others
 * The Muppet Show : African Mask ( F i r e ), Albert Flan , Angus McGonagle , The Announcer ( 1977 - 1981 ) , Automatic Wastebasket , Bagpipes ( Episode 520 : Wally Boag ) , Baskerville the Hound Episode 106 : Jim Nabors , Episode 116 : Avery Schreiber , Episode 208 : Steve Martin & Episode 216 : Cleo Laine , & Episode 308 : Loretta Lynn ) , Beakie ( Episode 412 : Phyllis George ) , Behemoth ( Episode 202 : Zero Mostel ) , Benny , Big Tiny Tallsaddle , Bruno , Burlington Bertie , Bust of Beethoven , Camilla the Chicken ( 1978 - 2003 ) , Cheesecake , Chester Pugh , Chuckie , Crazy Harry ( 1977 - 2003 ) , Dancers , The Dancing Clown , The Devil , Doglion ( Episode 209 : Madeline Kahn ) , The Dodo ( Episode 415 : Anne Murray ) , Dracula , Droop , Eel (Episode 417 : Star Wars ) , Emily Bear , Eric the Yodeling Clam , Featherstone , Female Koozebanian Creature , Fleet Scribbler , Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ) , Forcryingoutloud Bird ( Episode 309 : Liberace ) , Fozzie Pig , Fred , Reggie , Fuzz Brother , The Gambler , Geri & the Atrics tambourine player ( Episode 517 : Hal Linden ) , Gingerbread Man , Gorgon Heap (Episode 201) , Granny the Gouger , Gnu , Harold , House 1 ( Episode 107 : Florence Henderson ) , House 2 , Humpty Dumpty , Irving Bizarre , J . P . Grosse , Jar of Orange Marmalade , Jerry , John Cleese ' s Agent , Dr . Julius Strangepork , Koozebanian Phoob , Lenny the Lizard (Episode 107) , Dancer , Lee , Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 , Louis Kazagger , Sundance ( Episode 416 : Jonathan Winters , Episode 505 : James Coburn ) , Luncheon Counter Monster ( occasionally ) , Mean Mama ( occasionally ) , Merdlidop , Mickey Moose , Miss Mousey , Mulch ( Episode 509 : Debbie Harry ) , The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly , Opossum , Paul , Paul Revere , Pierre LaCousse , Pops , Prince Rudolph , Punching Bag , The Queen ( Episode 121 ) , Quongo (Episode 513) , Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ) , Sacrificial Idol , Salzburg Sauerkraut Singer , Sarchophagi , Scotsman , Shark ( Episode 417 ) , 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 218 : Jaye P . Morgan )
 * The Jimmy Dean Show ( 1965 - 1966 ) : Rowlf the Dog ' s right hand
 * Commercials : Assisting for Southern Colonel, Nutty Bird , & others.
 * The Ed Sullivan Show : Clam, Lead Violinist
 * The Great San ta Cla us Switch: Thog, Zippity, Snivelly , Green Scoff
 * Tales from Muppetland: Robin the Frog, Featherstone, Caleb Stiles, Rover Joe the Hound Dog ( Muppetry ), Stepsister 2, Sweetums ( Muppetry ), T . R.
 * Muppet Meeting Films: Announcers, P . Fenton Cosgrove
 * One to One: The King of Phumph
 * Saturday Night Live: Scred
 * The Muppet Valen tine Show
 * The Muppet Show : Sex & Violence: Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Statler, Dr . Nauga, Envy, Gluttony, Gene Shalit Muppet, Thomas Jefferson, Statler, Yellow Stalk
 * Herb Alpert & 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
 * Christ mas Eve on Sesame Street: Count von Count ( 1972 - 2012 )
 * The Muppet Movie: Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 ) , Crazy Harry ( 1977 - 2003 ) , Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ) , & Camilla the Chicken ( 1978 - 2003 )
 * The Great Muppet Caper: Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 ), Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ) , 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 Doozer, Archbanger Fraggle (Pipebanger), Balsam the Minstrel (occasionally), Feenie Fraggle, Fishface Fraggle, Mervin Merggle, Rudy Vallee Doozer, Uncle Gobo
 * The Muppets Take Manhattan: Pops, Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 ) , Crazy Harry ( 1977 - 2003 ) , Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ) & Camilla the Chicken ( 1978 - 2003 ) & Bear
 * Follow That Bird: Count von Count ( 1972 - 2012 )
 * The Christ mas Toy: Balthazar
 * Little Muppet Monsters: Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 )
 * A Muppet Family Christ mas: Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ) , Camilla the Chicken ( 1978 - 2003 ) , Emily Bear, Count von Count ( 1972 - 2012 ) , Herry Monster ( 1970 - 2012 ) , Two - Headed Monster ( 1978 - 2002 ) & Gobo Fraggle
 * The Jim Henson Hour: Beard, Orange Extreme & Jo - Beth Garfdoohoo
 * The Muppets at Walt Disney World: Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ) , Camilla the Chicken ( 1978 - 2003 ) & Emily Bear
 * The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson: Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 ), Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ) & Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 )
 * The Muppet Christ mas Carol: The Ghost of Christmas Present (face & voice), Mr . Applegate, Father Mouse, Pig Businessmen, Rat Bookkeeper, Statler (as Jacob Marley), Penguins, Inkspots, Emily Bear (as Ma Fozziwig), Singing Food, Floyd Pepper ( 1978 - 2003 ), Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ) (as Tiny Tim) & Lew Zealand
 * 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 ( 1972 - 2012 )
 * Muppet Classic Theater: The Big Bad Wolf & Loyal Royal Advisor
 * Muppet Treasure Island: Blind Pew, Mad Monty, Monocled Pirate, Sal Minella, Island Heads, Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ), Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ) , Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 ) , Statler (as Figurehead of the Hispaniola), Inkspots, Octopuses, Skulls , Jacques Roach (Cabin Fever), Spotted Dick, Singing Food
 * Elmo Saves Christ mas: Count von Count ( 1972 - 2012 )
 * The Wubbulous World of Dr . Seuss: The Snoozer
 * Muppets Tonight: A . Ligator, Baby Jerry, Clarissa, Dr . Watson, Eggheads, Elvises, Ernest Pleth, The Head of the Network, Indiana Rat, The Irish Rodents, Jowls, The Mad Bomber, Mama Fiama, Moo - ing, Percy, Phil, The President, The Rock Lobsters, Rob Reiner Muppet, Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Robbie, Robot Abraham Lincoln, Statler, Stosh, Taylor the Turkey, Torisho, & The Two - Headed Comic (Left Head).
 * Muppets from Space: Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ), Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ) , Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 ) , Statler, Ubergonzo
 *  The Adventures of Elmo in Grouch land  : Count von Count ( 1972 - 2012 ),  Pestie ,  Grouch   Mayor  &  Grouch   Cop 
 * Muppet RaceMania: Statler, Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Sweetums & Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 )
 * It's a Very Merry Muppet Christ mas Movie: Maxine, Pops, Statler, the Muppets announcer, Robin the Frog ( 1971 - 2003 ) & Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ) ( voices only ) ; voices looped in post - production
 * Muppets Party Cruise: Floyd Pepper ( 1975 - 2003 ), Statler, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Lew Zealand ( 1978 - 2003 ) , Crazy Harry ( 1977 - 2003 ) & Camilla the Chicken ( 1978 - 2003 )
 * Abby in Wonderland: The Counterpillar Count von Count ( ( 1972 - 2012 ) )
 * Studio DC : Almost Live Hosted by Dylan & Cole Sprouse: Floyd Pepper ( voice only ; uncredited )
 * Fami lies Stand Together: Mr . Jerry
 * The Best of Elmo 2: Dr. Sigmund Sillystuff
 * Fair is Fair:  Timothy Grouch 
 * The Muppets: The Announcer ( uncredited )

Audio credits

 * Elmo & the Orchestra : Leonard Birdseed
 * It 's Not Easy Being Green audio book : Performed quotes from Dr . Teeth, Fraggles , Doozers , the guitarist from The Cube , & others
 * The Muppets Inside CD - R O M : The Newsman, Floyd Pepper , Lew Zealand & Statler ( archive footage )

Trivia

 * Nelson was right - handed.
 * Characters of Jerry Nelson 's Muppeteer  veteran  Matt Vogel  has performed once or consistently are :


 * Count von Count ( 2000s - 2012 ; assistant ( Muppetry  only ;  Muppetry  & voice together : Counting the "You"s in YouTube ( 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 ( 2011 ), The Muppets ( 2011 ) )
 * Uncle Deadly ( The Muppets ( 2011 ) )
 * Pops ( behind - the - scenes video ( 2011 ) )
 * The Big Bad Wolf ( Sesame Street Episode 4319 ( 2013 ) )