Peter Linz
American puppeteer (b. 1967)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peter Linz (born June 28, 1967)[1] is an American puppeteer.[2] Known for his work with the Muppets, Linz's most prominent role is performing for the character Walter who was introduced in the 2011 feature film The Muppets.[3][4][5] Since 1991, Linz has performed on Sesame Street, on which he performs Herry Monster and Ernie.[6]
Peter Linz | |
|---|---|
Linz at the 2011 Dragon Con | |
| Born | June 28, 1967 Decatur, Georgia, U.S. |
| Other names | George Bailey |
| Occupation | Puppeteer |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
Peter Linz was born on June 28, 1967 in Decatur, Georgia.[1]
Career
Linz has performed many characters on children's television shows, including Snook in It's a Big Big World, Tutter and Pip in Bear in the Big Blue House, Pooh in The Book of Pooh, Tizzy on Squeak! (season 1), Theo Lion in Between the Lions, Honkers, Osvaldo, el Gruñón, Yo-Yol, Bif, Herry Monster and Ernie in Sesame Street and addition roles in Blue's Room and The Puzzle Place. Following Steve Whitmire's departure from the Muppets, Linz has performed the roles of Statler, Link Hogthrob, Robin the Frog, and Lips.[6]
Linz also performed in the Broadway musical Avenue Q,[7] and provided the voice of Moz in the English dub of Sheep and Wolves.[citation needed]
Personal life
Linz was previously married to Marlene E. Rudy from 1993 until her death in 2016; together they have three children.[8] He married puppeteer Alice Dinnean in 2023.[9]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Muppets from Space | Shakes, Beach Hippie, Additional Muppets | Assistant performer, cameo appearance |
| 2011 | The Muppets | Walter | Performer |
| KikoRiki: Team Invincible | Krash | English dub; credited as George Bailey | |
| 2013 | Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map | Phantom Parrot, Gnarlybeard, Stu Stukowski, Lighthouse Lou | Puppeteer; Direct-to-video film |
| 2014 | Muppets Most Wanted | Walter, Manolo Flamingo, Prisoner, Baby | Performer |
| 2016 | Sheep and Wolves | Moz | English dub[10] |
Television
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–present | Sesame Street | Ernie (2017–present), Herry Monster (2015–present), Additional Muppets | Performer |
| 1993 | Sesame Street Stays Up Late! | Additional Muppets | Performer; PBS special |
| 1994 | Muppet Sing-Alongs: It's Not Easy Being Green | Goldfish | Performer; Direct-to-video special |
| 1994–1998 | The Puzzle Place | Skye, Nuzzle | Performer (season 1–2) |
| 1996 | Aliens in the Family | Varch, Elder of the Nertron Galactic Federation, Red Yukkle | Performer |
| 1997–2006 | Bear in the Big Blue House | Tutter, Pip, Jack the Dog, Skippy, Jacques the Beaver, Luna the Moon (puppetry only), Shadow (puppetry only), Ray the Sun (puppetry only) | Performer |
| 1997 | Sesame Street: Kids' Guide to Life: Telling the Truth | Additional Muppets | Performer; Direct-to-video special |
| 1998 | Elmopalooza! | Additional Muppets | Performer; ABC special |
| 2000–2010 | Between the Lions | Theo Lion, Heath the Thesaurus (season 2–4), Announcer Bunny, Gawain | Performer |
| 2001–2004 | The Book of Pooh | Winnie the Pooh | Puppeter |
| 2003–2004 | Fisher-Price Baby Development Videos | Dee | Performer; Direct-to-video specials |
| 2002–2020 | Squeak! | Tizzy[citation needed] | English dub |
| 2004–2005 | Blue's Room | Polka Dots, Doodle Board | Performer (season 1) |
| 2006–2010 | It's a Big Big World | Snook, Oko | Performer |
| 2007–2011 | WordWorld | Bug, Pig, Monkey | Voice; credited as George Bailey |
| 2008 | Abby in Wonderland | Additional Muppets | Performer |
| Lomax, the Hound of Music | Lomax the Hound | ||
| A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa | Additional Muppets | ||
| 2010, 2011 | 30 Rock | Puppeteer #1, Additional Muppets | Performer; 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Pokémon the Series: Black & White | Angus | English dub; credited as George Bailey |
| 2015–2016 | The Muppets | Gloria Estefan, Droop, Snowth | Performer |
| 2020 | Muppets Now | Joe the Legal Weasel, Walter, Robin the Frog, Statler, Link Hogthrob, Foo-Foo | Performer |
| 2021–present | Donkey Hodie | Clyde the Cloud | Performer |
| 2021 | Muppets Haunted Mansion | Walter, Joe the Legal Weasel, Statler, Robin the Frog, Lips, Ghost | Performer; Disney+ special |
| 2023 | The Muppets Mayhem | Lips, Statler | Performer |
| 2026 | The Muppet Show | Statler, Robin the Frog, Lips | Performer; Disney+ special |
Other appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase | Elmo | Voice (opening ceremony); theme park ride |
| 2017 | The Muppets Take the Bowl | Walter, Robin the Frog, Statler, Link Hogthrob, Lips, Snowth | Performer; live show at the Hollywood Bowl |
| 2018 | The Muppets Take the O2 | Walter, Robin the Frog, Statler, Link Hogthrob, Lips, Snowth | Performer; live show at the O2 Arena |
| 2021 | The Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach | Statler | Voice; theme park show at Disneyland[11] |
| 2025 | World of Color Happiness! | Joe the Legal Weasel, Lips, Statler | Performer (prerecorded footage); theme park show[12] |