Kermit The Frog Is Getting A New Voice

Photo Credit: Twitter/Time

It’s the end of an era, people.

After a 27-year run, Steve Whitmire will no longer be the voice of Kermit the Frog.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the puppeteer, who has voiced the iconic Muppet since creator Jim Henson’s death in 1990, is stepping down from the role. Steve also voiced Ernie of Bert and Ernie, Rizzo the Rat, cranky critic Statler, and many other muppet characters.

Don’t worry, though. The beloved frog is in good hands. Longtime Muppet puppeteer Matt Vogel will be stepping in. Matt has been with the Muppets since the 1990’s, and flexed his Kermit muscles while playing Constantine, a Kermit the Frog imitator, in the 2014 film Muppets Most Wanted.

Disney, which owns Muppets Studio, has not yet commented on the reason for the switch.

According to Tough Pigs, a Muppet fan site, Matt will make his debut as Kermit in a Muppets “Thought of the Week” video next week.