The Muppet Show Cast Guide: Actors & Celebrity Cameos Explained

It’s time to start the music, and to light the lights, as The Muppet Show returns. Created by Jim Henson in 1976, the original variety program blended puppetry, absurdist comedy, music, and star-studded guests. The format captivated audiences around the world and helped launch the Muppet characters into pop culture immortality.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original series, Disney+ and ABC have revived The Muppet Show for this one-off special. The half-hour program brings back Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and friends, alongside top-tier guest stars. Early reviews of The Muppet Show special are positive, debuting with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and proving that the Muppets are still a global favorite for multiple generations.

Sabrina Carpenter as Herself

Date Of Birth: May 11, 1999

• Active Since: 2011

Sabrina Carpenter started as a Disney Channel staple, winning fans with her roles on Girl Meets World and Sofia the First ​​​​​​before successfully transitioning into music. Her 2024 album, Short n' Sweet, won two Grammy Awards and solidified her pop credentials. The Muppet Show marks a major return to high-profile television following her music success.

Notable Movies & TV Shows

Appearance on The Muppet Show: Sabrina Carpenter appears as herself in the special. As a featured guest, she participates in musical numbers, sketches, and comic interplay with characters like Miss Piggy, whom she quite rightly refers to as an icon.

Seth Rogen as Himself

Date Of Birth: April 15, 1982

• Active Since: 1998

Seth Rogen has earned a reputation as one of comedy’s most distinctive voices (and laughs). His career has spanned stand-up, television, and film. He broke through with Freaks and Geeks, followed by iconic roles in films like Superbad and Pineapple Express (he also co-wrote both screenplays with his longtime collaborator, Evan Goldberg).

Rogen has since returned to his TV roots, starring in Apple TV's multi-Emmy-winning Hollywood satire comedy series, The Studio, which he also co-created.

Notable Movies & TV Shows

Appearance on The Muppet Show: Seth Rogen is an executive producer on the show, a title that also lends itself to his appearance in the special. With his comedic energy and style, it is no surprise that he is part of this ensemble.

Maya Rudolph as Herself

Date Of Birth: July 27, 1972

• Active Since: 1997

Maya Rudolph is a seasoned comedian and versatile performer known for her standout tenure on Saturday Night Live, which established her as a comedy force on multiple platforms. On the film side, Rudolph is most famous for her role as Lilian in Paul Feig's Bridesmaids.

Notable Movies & TV Shows

Appearance on The Muppet Show: Maya Rudolph is joining The Muppets as a guest star, likely bringing her improvisational skills to several sketches alongside Carpenter and the Muppet gang.

Muppet Performers & Characters

Matt Vogel As Kermit The Frog

• Active Since: 1996

Matt Vogel is the third voice actor to take on the iconic role of Kermit the Frog, who was initially voiced by the late Muppets creator Jim Henson until his death in 1990, followed by Steve Whitmire until 2016. Vogel also performs as several other Muppets, including Uncle Deadly, who will be recognized from Jason Segel's 2011 Muppets movie.

Eric Jacobson As Miss Piggy

• Active Since: 1994

Eric Jacobson took on the scary role of becoming the world's most beloved diva — Miss Piggy — when Frank Oz retired from voicing his Muppet characters. But Jacobson didn't stop at Miss Piggy. Since 2001, he has also been Fozzie Bear and drumming sensation Animal. Prior to this, he had loaned his voice to several Sesame Street icons, including Bert and Grover.

Dave Goel As Gonzo

Active Since: 1974

Dave Goelz is a legend in Muppet history. A veteran of The Jim Henson Company, Goelz originated many beloved characters. The most prominent is, of course, Gonzo the Great. Goelz's continuity links the original Muppet Show with this 2026 special, helping bridge the decades.

Other Supporting Muppet Actors

• David Rudman is a core part of the Muppet troupe. He contributes to numerous character performances in the special, ensuring classic dynamics remain intact for a new generation of fans.
• Peter Linz performs a roster of supporting Muppets in The Muppet Show, bringing energy and variety to the ensemble. His range helps populate the vibrant chaos of the Muppet Theatre and its sketches.