Rowlf is unique among The Electric Mayhem in that he can deliver comedy without breaking character, as well as singing to sleeping dogs! Other characters like Fozzie and Gonzo may become serious or inspire empathy; Rowlf stands alone as someone who can consistently deliver it without losing his sense of humor or invoking sympathy from viewers.
Rowlf first made his debut appearance in 1962 through Purina Dog Chow commercials and earned great renown during an ongoing segment on The Jimmy Dean Show.
Rowlf the Dog
Rowlf is a beloved Muppet dog known for his piano playing ability. A scruffy brown indeterminate breed with an adorable round black nose and long floppy ears, Rowlf often appears on The Muppet Show as one of its guest stars where he often serves as pianist for its cast of characters; additionally he has also appeared in other television programs and the Muppet movies.
Jim Henson created and performed Rowlf, who first appeared in 1962 as part of Purina Dog Chow commercials starring him and Baskerville the Hound. According to Henson himself, Rowlf is based on Pete who lived with him at home as his pet mutt.
Rowlf became well-known on The Muppet Show for his expert piano playing and ability to interpret classical music. Additionally, he displayed impressive skills with other instruments including banjo, harmonica, drums, guitar, pipe organ, synthesizer violin and ukulele as well as singing!
Rowlf was not as prominent in movies as Kermit or his fellow Muppets, yet still made frequent appearances in many. He played an integral part in 1979 film The Muppet Christmas Carol as well as being regular feature during At the Dance segments. Additionally he appeared briefly and silently in Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets from Space films.
After Henson’s passing, Rowlf remained part of The Muppet Show and other Muppet productions; he was often performed by different puppeteers depending on which movie it was being shown in. For The Muppets Wizard of Oz he was performed by Bill Barretta, an American puppeteer known for playing Louie (Elmo’s dad). Barretta has also taken on roles such as Rowlf, the Swedish Chef, and Dr. Teeth on The Muppet Show/films.
In 2005, he appeared as Rowlf in From the Balcony with a 190-word monologue and sang on A Green and Red Christmas album 2006. Additionally, he voiced Rowlf for A Muppet Family Christmas TV special.
Baby Rowlf
Baby Rowlf first appeared on The Muppet Show as an infant; he wore a diaper with a large blue bow and talked in an infant voice while often being accompanied by his toy piano. For the reboot of The Muppet Show, however, his appearance was completely transformed and more reflective of adult Rowlf – wearing red button-down shirt with white musical notes, blue tie with white polka dots tie, slick point on top of head and lighter brown face; sounding more adult like with its southern accent spoken by adult Rowlf himself.
Baby Rowlf was one of the very first Muppets to become widely recognized nationally; even Ideal Toys commercialized his toys! Although not as sophisticated, Baby Rowlf remains an immensely popular character. He is passionate about music and excels at piano; additionally he can also play drums, banjo, ukulele and violin! As an engaging storyteller and great storyteller himself – often playing piano while singing or telling jokes to other characters on show – Baby Rowlf made quite an impressionful first impression nationally before even commercialization by Ideal Toys in 1966!
Fozzie Bear and Rexy Bear are good friends in the series, often playing pranks on each other and sometimes pulling some silly stunts together. Rex is not known for making punny jokes like his other co-stars but can still be very amusing, often talking about being a dog and dealing with its ups and downs.
He was also a regular on The Muppet Babies, as well as its spin-off shows Muppets Tonight and Muppets Live From the Hollywood Bowl as well as Walt Disney World’s animated Muppets. Additionally, he appeared in several movies such as The Muppets, The Great Muppet Caper, A Muppet Family Christmas and more.
He has also appeared as a frequent guest star on a variety of other television programs, such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman and even Craig Ferguson’s Tonight Show – featuring in Muppets Go to Broadway episode of short-lived The Jim Henson Hour series.
Fozzie Bear
Fozzie Bear was one of the original cast members on The Muppet Show, known as an orange-brown bear with brown pork pie hat and pink and white polka dot necktie wearing pink pork pie hat with pink-and-white polka dotted necktie wearing polka dotted necktie wearing pink-and-white polka dotted necktie necktie neckties, wearing his catchphrase “Wocka wocka!” to signal when his joke had finished playing; in other sketches such as Bear On Patrol as well as other musical numbers; additionally served as announcer and backstage work; even attempted planning out his show and planning out how best to write script for that show during one episode!
Fozzie Bear has two prominent family members named Freddie Bear and Emily Bear, who both appear frequently in episodes. Fozzie is best friends with Kermit the Frog, often annoying Statler and Waldorf who heckle from the balcony; once sitting in for Kermit while taking a nap and performing an unsuccessful comedy routine; Fozzie also appeared briefly on Muppets Take Manhattan before making occasional cameos in Little Muppet Monsters episodes.
Muppet Treasure Island (1986). Squire Trelawney also appeared as Squire Trelawney in a theatrical production of that name. Additionally, he appeared in several segments of Muppet Classic Theater as well as two movies by director Walt Disney: The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppets from Space; for which he hosted an interactive play-along video entitled Sing-Along Dance-Along Do-Along for both movies.
Fozzie has been played by various puppeteers throughout his career, starting off with Frank Oz providing his voice until 2001 and Eric Jacobson taking over afterward. Fozzie can also be seen performing in Muppets Ahoy! and Disney Cruise Line stage show Muppets Aboard.
Fozzie began appearing less often during the 1990s, often in supporting roles. On Sesame Street he frequently played Mr. Bimba – a tiny character living inside his finger – as well as making cameo appearances in Muppet Classic Theater and movies Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, The Emperor’s New Clothes and Muppet Treasure Island. Additionally he has narrated DVD version of original pilot show’s pilot as well as voiced an OPI Muppets Collection Holiday 2011 set of OPI Muppets Collection Holiday 2011.
Animal
Rowlf’s drummer brother Animal has become one of the most beloved Muppet characters. Featured on more merchandise than any other character in any Muppet movie and as part of an animated Muppet Babies cartoon series.
His personality can sometimes be more unpredictability than that of his sister, as he often gets carried away in drumming mania. At times he may beat too hard on the drums and may produce deafening drum beats; occasionally however he does remain under control and speak more coherently.
Animal was featured prominently during an episode where Buddy Rich made an appearance, engaging him in a heated “drum battle”. Along with being adept at drumming, Animal is also talented at singing with lots of scat.
Animal is a beloved performer at the Hollywood Bowl with many notable guest stars as a regular performer, including Lou Rawls and Rita Moreno among many others. Unfortunately, his personal life remains shrouded in mystery.