Kermit the Frog is getting a different voice after 27 years. That's because Steve Whitmire, who has been lending his voice, has been released from his position. Fans don't need to be sad because Kermit's new voice will be that of "Sesame Street" veteran Matt Vogel.

Kermit's three voices

Kermit The Frog has had three different voices in his lifetime. Those voices have been Jim Henson, Steve Whitmire and now Matt Vogel.

Kermit was created by the late Jim Henson in 1955, and was Henson's most well-known creation. It was Henson's voice of Kermit until he died on May 16, 1990 at the age of 53.

After Henson's death, Kermit's voice was that of Steve Whitmire from 1990 until 2017.

Some people think Whitmire retired from his position, but that's not true. On Thursday of last week, the 57-year-old puppeteer made a statement on his personal blog that it was not his choice to give up the voice of Kermit. He made it known that he did not abandon Kermit, and he is devastated because of his release because it was more than a job for him. He described it as his calling and life work that was given to him by Henson, who was his friend, mentor, and hero.

Whitmire got word from executives in October 2016 of the possibility that Kermit's role would be recast. From then until now, he was hoping officials would change their minds, but they didn't, according to TIME.

The longtime puppeteer apologized to the public and said he was sorry and disappointed that he let Henson down by not being able to continue the work he had entrusted to him. It was not revealed why the Muppets Studio executives released Whitmire from his position.

Vogel's voice

Matt Vogel is now the voice of Kermit the Frog and can be heard for the very first time next week in a video.

Vogel is excited about his new role as the voice of Kermit the Frog, who is one of the original Muppets on "Sesame Street." The Kansas City, Kansas native has been the voice of Sergeant Floyd Pepper. Also, during Vogel's career, he has been the voices of Big Bird and Count. Vogel is a 46-year-old puppeteer who has been part of the Muppets since 1990, the same year that Henson died.

It is not unusual for characters like Kermit the Frog to have different voices during their lifetime. Kids and other viewers might not even notice the difference. Even if they do, they will soon get used to the new voice, and it won't matter after a while. They will be so focused on the appearance and the personality of Kermit that the new voice will hardly be noticeable.
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