Matt Vogel Earns Historic Emmy Nomination for Kermit

Matt Vogel has made history by becoming the first performer to receive an Emmy nomination for his work as Kermit the Frog. This prestigious recognition comes for his role in "The Muppet Show" special on Disney+/ABC. Vogel, who has been the voice and puppeteer for Kermit since August 2017, noted his surprise that neither he nor previous performers like Jim Henson or Steve Whitmire had been previously nominated for the character.

Vogel, a Kansas City-born puppeteer, emphasized his commitment to honoring Henson's original vision while imbuing Kermit with his own performance style. He acknowledged the challenges of taking on such an iconic role, especially with some initial criticism from online fan communities. Vogel also contrasted performing Kermit with his role as Big Bird, highlighting the distinct physicality required for each character.

The "Muppet Show" special aimed to capture the spirit of the original series for contemporary audiences, featuring guests like Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen. Vogel shared that interacting with the Muppets often evokes strong emotional reactions, even tears, from adults who have grown up with these characters.