Performer: Richard Hunt (1976-1991), Jerry Nelson (1975, 1992-2001), Steve Whitmire (2002-present)
First appearance: The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence
Most recent appearance: Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony
Statler shares a balcony box in the Muppet Theater with fellow curmudgeon Waldorf, and the two delight in heckling every aspect of The Muppet Show. Statler and Waldorf are especially unforgiving to Fozzie Bear.
On the first season of Muppets Tonight, Statler and Waldorf are seen watching the show from the living room of what appears to be a retirement home. In the second season, they watch the show on a portable television from various locations, including a golf course and a ski lift.
In The Muppet Christmas Carol, Statler plays the ghost of Scrooge's business partner Jacob Marley. In Muppet Treasure Island, Statler and Waldorf are figureheads on the Hispaniola. In The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, they appear as "the Kalidah Critics," strange beasts who shout insults at anyone attempting to cross a treacherous bridge.
Statler was named after the Statler Hotel.
Casting History
- Richard Hunt - from The Muppet Show (1976) to The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)
- Jerry Nelson - The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence (1975) and from The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) to It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)
- Steve Whitmire - Weezer's "Keep Fishin'" music video (2002) to Present
- Bill Barretta - Jimmy Kimmel Live (2003)
- Drew Massey - Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony Pilot and Episodes 9-13 (2005)
See also
Statler quotes