Jerry Nelson

 Jerr y  '''L.   Nel son ''' ( July 1 0 t h, 1934 - August 23 r d , 2012 ) began his Muppeteer ing career working for Bil Baird. He officially joined the company in 19 70 & he began working regularly on  SESAME STREET . Since then, Nelson had performed as a principal Muppeteer  in several other Muppet productions 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 o f Jim Henson  ' s Kermit the Frog ) , Pops , 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 Wal dorf, 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 years.

In 200 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 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   character s  , including  D r . 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  st worked with  Jim Henson  in  1965  when  Frank Oz  got drafted &  Henson  needed somebody to perform  Rowlf the Dog  ' s right hand on  T he Jimmy Dean Show . How ever, 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  H ey, 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 J ug - 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. I n 1 9 7 2 , he was given the  characters  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  Unpaved  &  SESAME   STREET  : A Celebration - 40 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 f or 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 reason s for giving it up were be cause at t h at time we were doing  The Muppet Show  &  he  was a real p art of the  show , & they need ed  his  presence . So they asked if I ' d mind giving  it  u p . " He al so did announce r voice s very of ten , 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 . John son ,  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 t his , had to perform t he  character  ' s head w / his left h an d. ( Most performers  use their right hands to perform the heads of their  characters  . ) They would also alternate in performing t he  character   Rodeo Rosie .  NELSON  &  Hunt  also performed a construction worker duo know n 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 

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  . St ill i n a l l , 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 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 want ed to do was s ing.

My grandparents used to give me a quarter to learn & sing songs when I was a sprout a bout 5  year s old. " South of t he Border " was maybe the 1  st of a long list of tune s & I 'm still learning them & singing th em & 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 underprivileged 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 t h e 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 ( follow ing my water nature ) t o , & that I am either blessed & 1  of the luckiest bozos walking this planet o r both. In any case : Yee h a w, 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 l a z i est man o n Ea rt h  . )

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 b i t e s ! & then w e will  Count  the burp s ! H a, h a , h a ! '

Norman, obviously hasn ' t lo s t i t but ... . I wish I ' d said that ! " Jerry Nelson

JERRY  NELSON  /  RICHARD HUNT  Muppet  P a i r i n g 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 Mouse y /  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 /  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 Bear  ( perform ed by  David Rudman  ) )
 *  The Christ mas Toy  Rabbits
 * Uncle Deadly /  Wayne
 * Uncle Deadly /  Scooter 
 *  Granny Grouch  /  Grandpa Grouch 
 * 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 perform ed Droop & Miss Mousey. In The Muppet Show : Sex & Violence, for the very 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 he 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 couldn ' 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 didn ' t perform in episode s 101 - 103 & 111 - 115. 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 to the show as characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy , & Scooter , & therefore Nelson often played major 1 - s hot back stage character s , such as Irving Bizarre , Big Tiny Tallsaddle , & Angus McGonagle. His notable recurring characters include d 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 a s a 1 - s h ot , but soon became a recurring character. Beginning in season 2, Nelson took over 2 of John Lovelady  ' s role s : 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 character s 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 character s, li ke 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 sing ing " Halfway Down the Stair s " o r " I ' m F i ve " , Thog singing " Oh Babe What Would You S a y " or Pops sing ing " Once i n Love wit h Amy ". Nelson has also perform e d m a n y song s a s 1 - s h o t c h a r a c t e r s i n c l u d i ng " A l l o f Me " " T h e Windmills of Y o u r M i nd " & " 3 Little Fish ies ". 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 w it h  Frank Oz  ) , Nelson was also often paired with  Louise Gold  in musical numbers , such as " Henrietta ' s Wedd i ng " & " Your Feet ' s Too Big ".

On his characters, Jerry Nelson was quoted in a 1 9 78 " Muppet Show Fan Club " newsletter : " Each 1 of them is an aspect of my own personal i ty . 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 all time ; Floyd i s my l aid - b ack , 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 personal ity. I don ' t think he meant I should go around exploding everything - - just that I should give my emotions more free dom. "

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 b e in a b and ( 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  of the few  Muppet   performer s  to perform voices in  The Dark Crystal , performing the voices of the  Skeksis Dying Emperor  & t he  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  T he Jim Henson Hour , though his only recurring  character  on that  show  was  Beard. How ever, 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  perform e d   Statler  , who he originally performed. He also perform e d 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  in  The Muppet Christ mas Carol  , as well as  Statler  ( as a  figure  o n the  Hispanola   ship  ).  Floyd ,  Mad Monty  & Blind Pew  in  Muppet Treasure Is la nd .  Robin  was seen in the opening of this movie  but it is unknown whether or not  JERRY  gave  Robin  any line s to say.

 NELSON  performed many minor character s  on  Muppet s To night , & occasionally  performed  on  The Wubbulous World o f Dr . Seuss . He performed  his regular  characters  as well as  Uber gonzo  in  Muppet s from Space , & he  performed   Count von Count  as well as both the  Grouch   Mayor  & the  Grouch   Cop  i n the  1 999   film  ,  The Adventure s of Elmo in  Grouch  land .

2000 s
Beginning around 2001, Jerry Nelson began to phase out of performing  his primary Muppet Show character s ; citing health reasons. Many of his characters drifted to silent back ground 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  i n 2 0 0 1 ). 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 voice s of Maxine , Pops , Statler , the old Announcer of t he 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 2001 complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease & prostate cancer limited Nelson ' s involve ment 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 y e ar s now . Differ ent one s . . . I do intend to work with my old friend Count Von Count again this next sea s on . " 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.

2 0 1 0 s
 Nelson , although he was  un  credited , actually did reprise his role  as the  Announcer  during  The Muppet  Telethon in  2 0 11  ' s  The Muppets . Audio clips of his original introductions to the Pigs in Space  &  Veterinarian ' s Hospital  sketch es & are also heard in the  film  when  Kermit   1  st walks into the  Muppet   Theater. Nelson also serve d 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  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 r d 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 partner ed with  Frank Oz  ’ s  Grover  ), & a  Word of the Day  segment as  Humpty Dumpty  , & the street story of  episode 44 0 1  as w:c:muppet:Count von Count the Count  & the street story of  episode 44 11  as w:c:muppet:Count von Count 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 p r e - 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 Muppet s  was re - use d in  Muppets Most Wanted . The film  was  dedicate d  t o him &  JANE HENSON .

Muppeteer Credits

 *  Nelson  ’ s primary Muppet   character s  :


 *  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 in You Tube  ( 2 0 1 3  )  - present
 *  Herry Monster  ( 1 9 7 0  -  2 00 3  )
 *  Mr . Johnson  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  ( 2 0 1 6  - present )


 *  T he Amazing Mum ford  ( 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 Christ mas : Letter s to San t a  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Floyd Pepper  :  The Muppet Show : Sex &amp; Violence  ( 1 9 7, 5  ) -  Muppets Party Cruise  (  2 00 3  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  Studio DC : Almost Live  hosted by Selena Gomez  (  2 008  ) - present
 *  Crazy Harry  :  The Muppet Show  Season 2  (  19 77  ) -  Muppets Party Cruise  (  2003  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  Star s &amp; Stripes For ever  ( 200 8  ) - present
 *  Lew Zealand  :  The Muppet Show  Sea son 3| 3 (  1 9 7 8  ) -  Muppets Party Cruise  (  2 00 3  )


 *  MATT VOGEL  :  A Muppet s Christ mas : Letter s t o San ta  ( 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 Christ mas Carol  (  1 9 9 2  ) -  Muppets 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 ,  A l  ,  Andy  , a Banana from "  Bilingual Fruit Son g  " ( speaking voice only ) ,  Bad Humor Man  (  Episode 3 0 8 5  ) ,  Barry Rhymie  ,  Bennett Snerf  ( monster version ) ,  Biff  ,  Big Barney  ,  Big Jeffy  ( i n  a sketch where  Grover  &amp; the Monotone s 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  &  Sist er  ,  Corn y the Corn  ,  Count von Count  (  1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  ) ,  Cousin Monster  ,  Cyra nose de Bergerac  ,  David Finch  ,  Dr . Livingstone  ,  Dr . Snuffleupagus  ,  Baby Monster  ,  Ernest the Grouch  ,  Farley  ,  Farley  ,  Felix the Grouch  ,  Fico  ,  Foot ball  ,  Frankie Monster  ,  Frazzle  ,  Fred the Wonder Horse  ,  Frog  ( "  We Are All Earth ling s  " ) ,  T he Genie  (  1 9 7 6  ) ,  George  ,  George Washington  (  New s Flash  ) ,  Granny Grouch  ,  Green " Fat Cat " performer  ,  Green Ed  ,  Guntag Gelman - Jones  ,  H . Ross Parrot  ,  Harvey Monster  ,  Herbert Birdsfoot  ,  Herry Monster  (  1 9 7 0  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Hickory Dickory Duck  ,  Hopalong Hamster  ,  Humpty Dumpty  ,  I . M . Pig  ,  J Fri end  ,  Jack Be Nimble  ,  Jackman Wolf  ,  Japanese Storyteller  ,  Jerome  ,  Joe  ,  Kathleen t he Cow  ,  Kermit the Forg  ,  Kermit the Gorf  ,  Kermit t h e Grof  ,  King Waste ful 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 . Foo t  ,  Mr . Ice Cream C one Man  ,  Mr . John son  ,  Mr . Luck y  ,  M r . 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 G row High G row L ow  " ,  Poco Loco  ,  Prince Firstly  ,  Professor Nucleus V on Fission  ,  Pumpkin Monotone  ( in t h e  son g  "  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 Feel good  ,  SLIMEY  ( c .  1 9 7 8  ) ,  Smart Tina  ,  Sneaky the Elf  ,  Sullivan  ( " Numerical Correspondence " ) ,  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 King dom  ,  The Gonk  ,  The Great Fentini  ,  The Hare  ,  The London  Frog  ,  T h e Miller ' s Daughter  ,  T he Royal Barber  ,  Angry  ,  Drippy  ,  Snookey  ,  Sparkey  ,  The Smartest Person i n t he Kingdom  ,   The Sun  ,  The Young Man Who Live s in a Glove  ,  Tina Twiddlebug  ,  Tony  (  1 9 70  ) ,  Tony  ,  Tornado  ,  Tough Eddie  ,  Trevor Trout  ,   T he Two - Headed Monster  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 2  ) ,  Uncle Louie  ,  Uncle Talbot  ,  V ern  ,  Vidal Spittoon  ,   Walter  ,  Walter  ,  Witch  ,  Xaiver  ,  Yip Yip Martians  ,  Zizzy Zoomer  , T he Oat Bran Zydeco " Je Ne Sais Quoi " Band Lead Singer , various announcer s & others
 *  T h e Muppet Show  : Africa n M as k  ( F i r e ),  Albert Flan  ,  Angus McGonagle  ,  T he Announce r  (  19 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  ,  Burling ton Bertie  ,  Bust o f Beethoven  ,  Camilla t he Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Cheese cake  ,  Chester Pugh  ,  Chuckie  ,  Crazy Harry  (  1 9 77  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Dancers  ,  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  ,  Eric t he Yodeling Clam  ,  Feather stone  ,  Fe male Koozebanian Creature  ,  Fleet Scribbler  ,  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 , 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Forcryingoutloud Bird  (  Episode 309 : Liberace  ) ,  Fozzie Pig  ,  Fred  ,  Reggie  ,  Fuzz Brother  ,  T he Gambler  ,  Geri  &amp; the Atrics  tambourine play er (  Episode 517 : Hal Linden  ) ,  Gingerbread Man  ,  Gorgon Heap  (  Episode 201  ) ,  Granny t he Gouger  ,  Gnu  ,  Harold  ,  House 1  (  Episode 1 0 7 : Florence Henderson  ) ,  House 2  ,  Humpty Dumpty  ,  Irving Bizarre  ,  J . P . Grosse  ,  Jar o f Orange Marmalade  ,  Jerry  ,  John Cleese  ' s  Agent  ,  Dr . Julius Strangepork  ,  Koozebanian Phoob  ,  Lenny the Lizard  (  Epi sode 1 0 7 : Florence Henderson  ) , Dancer ,  Lee  ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 978  -  2003  ,  Louis Kazagger  ,  Sundance  (  Episode 4 1 6 : Jonathan Winters  ,  Epi sode 5 0 5 : James Coburn  ) ,  Luncheon Counter Monster  ( occasionally ) ,  Mean Ma ma  ( occasion ally ) ,  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 the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 0 0 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
 * Commercial s : Assisting for  Southern Colonel ,  Nutty Bird  , & other s
 *  T he Ed Sullivan Show  : Clam  : Lead Violin ist
 *  T he Great San t a Cla u s Switch  : Thog ,  Zippity  ,  Snivelly  ,  Green Scoff
 *  Tales from Muppetland  :  Robin t he Frog , Feather stone  ,  Caleb Stiles  ,  Rover Joe the Hound Dog  (  Muppetry  ) ,  Stepsister 2  , w:c:muppet:Sweetums Sweetums  (  Muppet r y  ) ,  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  ) ,  Stat ler  ,  D r . Nauga  ,  E nvy  ,  Gluttony  ,  Gene Shalit Muppet  ,  Thomas Jefferson  ,  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
 *  Chris t mas Eve o n  Sesame Street  :  Count von Count ' ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  )
 *  The Muppet Movie  :  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7, 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Lew Zealand  (  1 9 78  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Crazy Harry  (  1 977  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 0 0 3  ) &  Camilla the Chicken  (  1 978  -  2003  )
 *  The Great Muppet Caper  :  Lew Zealand  ( 1 978  -  2 00 3  ),  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 , 5  -  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  ( f ace & voice ) ,  Architect Doozer  ,  Archbanger Fraggle  ( Pipe banger ) ,  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 hat  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 the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Camilla the Chicken  (  1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Emily Bear  ,  Count von 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 Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson  :  Lew Zealand  ( 1 9 7 8  -  2 00 3  ),  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) &  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  )
 *  The Muppet Christ mas Carol  : The Ghost o f Christ mas Present  ( face & voice ),  Mr . Applegate  ,  Father Mouse  ,  Pig Businessmen  ,  Rat Book keeper  ,  Statler  ( as  Jacob Marley  ) ,  Penguin s  ,  Inkspots  ,  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  ( 1972  -  2012  )
 *  Muppet Classic Theater  : T he Big Bad Wolf  &  Loyal Royal Advisor
 *  Muppet Treasure Island  : 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  ( a s  Figurehead  of  the Hispaniola  ) ,  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  ,  Stosh  ,  Taylor the Turkey  ,  Torisho  , &  The Two - Headed Comic  (  Left Head  )
 *  Muppets from 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  ) ,  Stat ler  ,  Ubergonzo
 *  The Adventure s of  Elmo  in  GROUCH  land  :  Count von Count  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  ),  Pestie  ,  Grouch   Mayor  &  Grouch   Cop 
 *  Muppet RaceMania  :  Statler ,  Floyd Pepper  ( 1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ,  Sweetums  &  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  )
 *  I t ' s a V e r y Merry Muppet Christ mas Movie  : Maxine ,  Pops  ,  Statler  , the  Muppets announcer  ,  Robin the Frog  (  1 9 7 1  -  2 00 3  ) &  Floyd Pepper  (  1 9 7 5  -  2 00 3  ) ( voice s only ) ; voices 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 in Wonderland  :  The Counterpillar  (  Count von Count  ( 1 9 7 2  -  2 0 1 2  ) )
 *  Studio DC : Almost Live  Hosted by Dylan &amp; Cole Sprouse  :  Floyd Pepper  ( voice only ; uncredited )
 *  Fami lies Stand Together  : Mr . Jerry
 *  The Best o f  Elmo  2  : Dr . Sigmund Sillystuff
 *  Fair i s Fair  :  Timothy Grouch 
 *  The Muppets  : The Announcer  (  UN  credited )
 *  Muppets Most Wanted  : The Announcer  ( R e used vocal track )

Note s

 *  NELSON  ’ s daughter   Christine , who w as dying of cystic fibrosis , made a cameo appearance with him in  The Great Muppet Caper  .  NELSON  ' s friend & b oss ,  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  & t h e Orchestra  : Leonard Birdseed
 *  It ' s  NO T  Easy Being  GREEN  audio book : Performed quote s from  Dr . Teeth , Fraggles  ,  Doozers  , the guitarist from  T h e Cube  , & other s
 *  The Muppet s Inside C D - R O M  :  The New s man ,  Floyd Pepper  ,  Lew Zealand  &  Stat ler  ( 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 YouTube  (  2 0 1 3  ) - present )
 *  Robin the Frog  :  A Muppet s Christ mas : 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 & Stripes For ever  ( 2 00 8  ) - present
 *  Lew Zealand  :  A Muppet s Christ mas : Letter s t o 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
 * The Big Bad Wolf :  Sesame Street   Episode 4 31 9  (  2 0 1 3  )