The Muppets Studio is offering their version of why longtime Kermit the Frog puppeteer Steve Whitmire was fired after the performer opened up about parting ways with the company in an emotional blog post last week.
’90s Nostalgia Photos Debbie McClellan, head of the Muppets Studio division of Disney, explained to The New York Times why Whitmire was let go last October after 27 years of portraying Kermit. “The role of Kermit the Frog is an iconic one that is beloved by fans and we take our responsibility to protect the integrity of that character very seriously,” she said. “We raised concerns about Steve’s repeated unacceptable business conduct over a period of many years, and he consistently failed to address the feedback. The decision to part ways was a difficult one which was made in consultation with the Henson family and has their full support.” Whitmire succeeded Jim Henson, the founder of the Muppets and the original voice of Kermit, after he died in 1990. Henson’s daughter, Lisa Henson, told the newspaper that Whitmire refused to train an understudy for “B-level performances” and “blackballed young performers” by refusing to appear with them. Jim’s son, Brian Henson, claimed that Whitmire would “send emails and letters attacking everyone, attacking the writing and attacking the director.”
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