Fired Kermit the Frog Puppeteer Speaks Out in TV Interview – Celebrity News

Just months before, he was allegedly told that he was being considered for a producer role. “In fact, we had been talking prior to that — two years before that — about me becoming a creative producer with them, working alongside the two executives who I spoke to, where I would really a part of the day-to-day decision making on The Muppets,” he continued. “I was thrilled about it because I felt like at last after 12 years with Disney, we would be able to integrate this great package that’s The Muppets into a huge corporation, which is what I wanted to do.”

He also discussed accusations that he the thought he was truly Kermit instead of an actor hired to play the part. “In my mind, my mentoring with Jim tells me that the minute the Muppets are reduced to being roles that are auditioned and cast, it takes all of the fun individuality out of them,” he shared. “Their longevity is completely based on their consistency and that’s just super important.”

As previously reported, Brian Henson claimed to The Hollywood Reporter that Whitmire was “disrespectful in being outspoken on character issues.” He alleged that Whitmire’s communication with colleagues was “appalling” and that he made “outrageous demands and often played brinkmanship.” Henson claimed, “Steve would use ‘I am not Kermit and if you want the Muppets, you better make me happy because the Muppets are Kermit.’ And that is really not OK.”

Want stories like these delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up now for the Us Weekly newsletter!

For the latest celebrity entertainment, news and lifestyle videos, subscribe to Us Weekly’s YouTube Page!