Kermit the Frog voice actor Steve Whitmire fired after 27 years by Muppets bosses
'I would never consider abandoning Kermit'
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Earlier this week, it was reported that Kermit the Frog voice actor Steve Whitmire was to step down from the role after 27 years.
However, the longstanding cast member has now revealed in an open letter that he was fired by Muppets bosses.
Matt Vogel was announced as Whitmire's replacement having voiced the beloved amphibian character in various TV shows and films since 1990.
The reason for his departure had been unclear until an open letter he posted to his blog Muppet Pundit which expresses his sadness over being fired last October.
Whitmire, the man also behind Sesame Street's Ernie as well as Rizzo the Rat, had worked on the Muppets since 1978 peforming in several projects from Muppets creator Jim Henson, including David Bowie film Labyrinth.
He has voiced Kermit since 1990 following Henson's death.
In a touch of life imitating art, new Kermit Vogel - a Muppets puppeteer since the 90s - previously played Kermit imitator Constantine in 2014 film Muppets Most Wanted.
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