(September 24, 1959- )
Took over the characters of Kermit the Frog and Ernie after the death of Jim Henson
Operated puppets in ‘The Muppet Show (1978-1981),’ ‘The Dark Crystal (1982),’ ‘Fraggle Rock (1983-1987),’ ‘Labyrinth (1986),’ ‘Dinosaurs (1991)’ and ‘Sesame Street (1993- )’

His performance as Ernie and especially Kermit are pale imitations of Jim Henson’s.
When he joined the Muppet company, he often delayed or even ruined taping because of his inexperience.
He wanted to do a Louis Armstrong voice for a character, but his idea got shot down as being racially insensitive.
He claims that Jim Henson offered him the character of Kermit before he died, but there’s no proof.

He’s a talented musician.
He was called ‘Kermit’ as a kid, because he was a huge fan of Jim Henson and puppetry.
At eleven, he sent Henson a fan letter, and Henson wrote back.
He started on ‘The Muppet Show’ at nineteen.
He played the piano while Jim Henson operated the head of Rowlf the Dog.
He was brave enough to try to fill the shoes of Jim Henson as Kermit.
When Jim Henson was on his death bed, Whitmire told the hospital he was a family member so he get in and see him.

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro

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For 2009, as of last week, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 36 Votes: 69.44% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 77 Votes: 51.95% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 337 Votes: 43.03% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 173 Votes: 54.91% Annoying

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