Kermit the Frog Voice Steve Whitemire to Be Replaced by Matt Vogel

After 25 years being the voice for Kermit the Frog, Steve Whitmire is leaving "The Muppets" and being replaced by Matt Vogel.

The news was first reported by Muppet fan site ToughPigs on Monday.

"Several of our readers have noticed clues, forcing us to wonder if Steve was absent from "The Muppets," noted the website. "For example, his characters weren't being used in the recent 'Muppet Thought of the Week' videos, and eagle-eared viewers noted that Peter Linz performed Statler in some recent advertisements."

ToughPigs approached the Muppet Studio at Disney and reported that the studio had confirmed Whitmire no longer worked with the show and that Vogel would replace him as of next week.

Deadline also confirmed the changes, adding that no reasons for Whitmire's departure has been given.

Whitmire's career with the Muppets began in 1978, when he developed Rizzo the Rat, and later took over from Jim Henson, who passed away, as Kermit the Frog in 1990.

He appeared in other shows including "Fraggle Rock," "Labyrinth" and "Dark Crystal," noted Hollywood.com.

Vogel has been a Muppet performer since 1996, taking on the roles of characters including Floyd, Lew Zealand, and The Count.

He is also known as the voice for "Alice Through The Looking Glass" character, Wilkins, a metal-mustachioed manservant, said Entertainment Weekly.

"We are intrigued to see how he will continue Kermit's legacy," ToughPigs said of Vogel's new role in "The Muppets." "And yet, we still have many, many questions. We don't know anything about the reasons for Steve's departure. We don't know what will happen with his characters, both the ones he inherited (like Beaker) or the ones he originated (like Rizzo the Rat)."

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