Richard Hunt: The Gay Man Behind the Muppets 

I worked on Sesame Street as part of the technical crew doing videotape and video control 1979-85 and remember Richard Hunt very well. Though we never had any direct conversations, he made a big impact on me as I watched him perform on the show. I thought he was one of the most talented, outgoing muppet performers on the show and I was deeply saddened when I heard of his passing. He will always be special to me as the shining star taken from us too soon.

Richard Hunt is the unsung hero of the Muppets. It's about time he got the recognition he deserved.

"Gay Muppets? That'll be a fun one to watch while getting ready." *15 minutes later, WEEPING* "I guess I won't be wearing mascara today after all..."

This video has a special meaning for me. Back in the 70s I shared an apartment for a while with Chuck Gibson, who brought Richard over a few times. I never got to know him all that well, but he was there. Those lines you quoted of "Charles Gibson" meant a lot. Chuck moved to San Francisco about then. I lost track of him. I seriously doubt he's still alive.

I will admit it. I got a little emotional when Frank Oz said "Thanks for helping me understand."

The Fraggle Rock part about letting go and saying goodbye really hit me, it's not the same thing as Richard was talking about death, but my fiance who I had been with for 10yrs just left me this month and I've been having a very hard time with moving on. This brought me to tears. 💔

Literally at this point I can’t see a clip from any Muppet production without wanting to cry. There aren’t a ton of things made with half the love, warmth, and care that Muppet productions have. It warms my heart even in the sad moments.

It was an honor to have helped with this video. Thank you for giving Richard the love he deserves ❤️

Jerry Nelson and Richard lived close to each other, and would hang out on each other's porch having full conversations in "Two headed monster" speech.

i cried watching this. there’s just something so reassuring about a classic, widely-beloved tv show being so accepting and open minded so ahead of its time, even if just mostly behind the scenes.

“Here he is in a sauna with a pig trying to get into his armpits” just became this channel’s beating heart

I've been saying for years that Statler and Waldorf are just two old queens who just like to throw shade.

Re: Bert and Ernie. I can respect when a straight man says he doesn't feel he can authentically play a gay character or he doesn't want to create a token gay character just to pander to a group. That said, the way around that is to educate yourself on gay life/hire a gay person to do it, and create a gay character that isn't a token but an actual important part of the show.

Damn... why am I crying over some clips from shows I didn't watch as a kid? RIP Mudwell.

I'm not gay myself, but I have plenty of gay and trans people in my life who are important to me. Your channel really helps me to understand the world many of my friends inhabit and the culture that surrounds them (and all of us). You're doing a great job with these. They're really well produced, too!

Lol ngl this is kinda ironic because so many homophobes say they don't want gays to influence their children, and yet they let their kids watch The Muppets which was practically co-founded/heavily influenced by a gay man 💀 It's kind of random, but this thought just came to me right now

I watched a recording of Jim Henson's memorial. It was sad. But at the same time, one of the most uplifting and optimistic things I've ever watched.

I would just like to add: There is a moment in Muppets: Wizard of Oz where the Muppets travelling with Dorothy refer to themselves as "Friends of Dorothy." The Muppets straight up told everyone they were gay.

And then there's “Bein' Green,” that simple little tune sung by a cute frog, that's also one of the most powerful anthems of radical self-acceptance I've ever heard. I know the most obvious interpretation is about skin color, but it's so much more universal than that. For “green,” substitute gay, trans, disabled, lesbian, neurodivergent, intersex, nonbinary, different in some way I don't even understand yet, etc... but that's what I am and it'll do fine. It's beautiful, and I think it's what I want to be. What struggling person doesn't need to hear that until they start believing it?

Statler having had a fling with Lionel Barrymore is my newest favorite thing.

This channel is such a valuable source of queer history and so many episodes make me cry 😭

What a loving tribute to Richard Hunt. I had no idea about so much of this history. Can't fully explain why but I'm crying over here, and there ain't an onion in sight.

It's not like I needed more reasons to love the Muppets, but here we are.

I feel like the Muppets have a special connection for anyone who feels like an outsider. Sometimes people relate to them because they're a bunch of misfits who work together and become like a family.

The mudwell clip makes me cry

The characters evolve in our minds, and on some level people always joked kindly that Bert and Ernie were "two guys that lived together"

I've always said Miss Piggy was Fran Oz's drag persona.

I'm absolutely bawling. Scooter was always my favourite as a kid and knowing the actor behind him was such a loving bright soul makes him so much better.

The timing of this is so uncanny. Just last night I rewatched one of my favorite Christmas movies, _Trading Places_ I wanted to know who the young trader who worked for the Duke Brothers. Then I see your video and I immediately recognized him as that guy! Thank you for doing a deep dive on this unspoken artist.

matt: "charles aznavour, who you've probably never heard of" me, a french speaker: how dare you sir!!!

I always thought that the original Muppet performers were a motley crew: each of them having incredibly unique story, with a relationship of building off of and working with each other. Every one of them has a special place in my heart, but it was good to know this great stuff about Richard Hunt. Probably the one of the original batch of performers I knew least about. Thanks for this wonderful video on an underrated Muppet performer.

I didn't watch a whole lot of Muppets growing up, but this video still has me crying hearing them all singing.

I’ll be honest, I somehow never knew that Vincent Price was gay

Looking forward to this. Richard Hunt's performances are as important to the success of The Muppets as Jim & Frank.

why does this channel always make videos JUST as i'm thinking about the very thing thats the subject of the new video....currently working on an essay about how the muppet show is inherently queer in its form and characters and im gonna reference richard hunt bc he's such an incredible piece of the muppet world...i think there's a very lovely and also extremely heartbreaking anecdote about him in "gay new york" (i THINK that's the title?) about him & his ex partner...also the rudolph nureyev anecdote is in there too....absolutely go off i know so much about queer history just from watching this channel, your work is amazing!!! thank you matt baume!

I’m weeping over Mudwell. That story meant so much to me. I was a sensitive child obsessed with death and anxious and fearful. Mudwell helped teach me a lesson I’m still practicing and learning and relearning today.

For some reason teared up at that Frank Oz quote near the end.

The story behind “Just a Dream Away” has me screambawling at work, thanks. I love it.

Yes! This video is wonderful. I’m so glad the Muppets are finally being seen as part of queer culture. Many of those gay jokes went over my head but it makes so much sense! The Muppets impacted me more than any for of entertainment.

i cannot even describe how happy i am to see a video about richard hunt getting such wide exposure, his contributions to the muppets both on-screen and off-screen are immeasurable but never acknowledged. i think this video did a fantastic job getting that across in under 20 minutes also, shout out to j max stein!! i've been following the progress of the biography on the blog since i was in high school, im in my mid-20s now and it's still the best resource for so many delightful interviews and anecdotes about richard, i highly recommend anyone learning about him for the first time from this video to check it out!!!!

Omg. The Mudwell Fraggle episode. It makes me cry even now. Holy shit.

Man, I didn't realize how open all of Henson's creations were. This made me cry so flipping hard, man. I used to be weirded out by homosexuality, but as I grew and matured, it's just a part of life. Forget the sexual orientation of any of these people or characters, and just look at the lessons about loving the people that mean the most to you. Live and love with all you are, because tomorrow isn't guaranteed. God bless and love you for celebrating these creative geniuses. All the best to you and yours, sir.

I got chills. Hearing my name from one of my favorite RU-vidrs 😅😅😅

This is great! We are working on a special episode celebrating Richard Hunt. We have a bunch of interview clips with the performers who worked with him.

This video had me in tears at points. Luckily, I have an apartment full of Elmos, Cookie Monsters and more to put a smile back on my face.

omg I seriously LOVED that cow and Janice! Plus one half of Statler and Waldorf? Some of the most iconic characters in my eyes!

Soooooo excited for this video, I think it’s time we fully cement the muppets as a part of gay culture lol.

That was so fun, though I did shed some tears, lots of good memories watching those shows!! Makes me want to curl up and watch them for an afternoon, with a bowl of sugar cereal, or grilled cheese and ketchup! Nostalgia ;)

This video among others you’ve posted have meant so much to me because it shows me how all through my childhood I’ve had queer story tellers helping me be more kind, creative, and aware of my world- all before I even knew about who I was inside. ❤️❤️❤️

I have met Mr. Hunt when he was doing a production for MTV and he stayed at my hotel in New York. Including others like Steve and Mrs. Butterworth to name a few but I was amazed to meet a lot of the people that shaped my childhood and I thanked them over and over again.

Thankyou for making this film about the wonderful Richard Hunt. Something that you didn’t mention was that Richard used to hang out and chat with the crew who were working on The Muppet Show. If he found out that someone on the crew had kids, he would encourage them to bring their kids in to watch the show being filmed, and then after the show he would meet with them, show off the Muppets and do a little private performance for them. My Dad was a scenic carpenter who worked on the show at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England, back in the 70s. He worked on The Muppet Show (he built Rowlf’s piano amongst other things), and so I was one of the kids invited to see the show and meet The Muppets and Richard Hunt. I actually got to go twice, and saw the Petula Clarke and Roger Moore episodes being filmed. Richard did Scooter and Beaker and Rizzo Rat for me, but the thing that stands out most for me now was when he did Miss Piggy. He used to share Miss Piggy with Frank Oz on sketches like Veterinarians Hospital. I remember my meeting with Miss Piggy going something like this… “Oh hey, hiya handsome!” Then as an aside to my Dad “Is he rich?” Must have made quite an impression on me. I can remember everything so clearly despite this being over forty years ago and I was probably only eight or nine at the time. I was extremely saddened to hear of Richards passing. Thankyou for giving me an idea of how this beautiful man lived.

Some people get excited when a new Marvel movie comes out.. I get excited when a new Matt Baume video comes out. Keep doing what you do so well.. and if you ever find yourself in Philadelphia, let me buy you a beer.. thank you for making my whole day!

Thanks again Matt, you’ve made yet another video that absolutely broke me. The legacy of Richard and his characters is one that shouldn’t ever be forgotten. Fraggle Rock still holds a very special place in my heart and Mudwell’s story is easily one of the most profound moments in the series. It’s so nice to have a closer look into the life of the man behind such an important part of my childhood. Again, thank you so much 💗

What a beautiful, loving tribute. It brought tears to my eyes. I didn't know who Richard Hunt was until recently but I've learned quite a bit about him since I started rewatching "Fraggle Rock." His was a light and a talent extinguished far too soon, but as long as his work keeps bringing joy to new generations, he's never really gone. By the way, I'd be remiss not to mention another of my favorite characters of his... Don Music! "I'LL NEVER GET IT! NEVER!!!!" The Trash Heap Has Spoken! NYAAAH! (That line was his idea, by the way.)

45 yr old straight man. Teary-eyed watching this. Love it. Some amazing memories. That Fraggle Rock episode was amazing. Wow, mind-blowing with the Richards history.

I'm not crying, you're crying... Okay, yeah, I'm crying. OG Muppet stuff just gets to me. And ditto on Fraggle Rock. It was such a huge part of my childhood. One of the best things about the way Henson and CTW made kids programs was that they embraced real and difficult things in a way that made sense to kids. If there is a single television moment I remember from my childhood, it was Mr Hooper's death on Sesame Street. I was a little too young to remember the initial broadcast, but episodes with Mr Hooper were still on air regularly in the few years that followed and I vividly remember Big Bird in that particular episode. Sad Wembly is pretty sad, but there is no sad like sad Big Bird. Sad Big Bird is the saddest thing I can imagine. It was a brave choice the studio made in directly addressing the issue, rather than simply replacing the actor or giving an off screen departure to the character. I know it wasn't the done thing at the time. And I still get teary eyed (okay properly crying) when I remember it, but it was definitely the right thing. They treated kids as real and complete people in their own right, and that's why we loved their shows.

I did not expect to be crying happy tears at the end of this. I'd like to think that he died without regrets though so few knew his name. His legacy was perhaps greater that of many performers who are more widely celebrated, for he helped create enduring, iconic characters and left a behind a legacy of love, acceptance, and laughter that touched the hearts of people who truly needed it.

Matt, you are a true and absolute gift to this world, this platform, and my life. Thanks you for bringing all of the queer influences I didn’t know were in my life. I weep at every video you make. You have a true gift. I can’t wait to someday have the expendable cash to support you on patreon and see all the extra videos.

Richard Hunt (Scooter) and John Denver presented one of the finest duets in television history when they performed "The Peace Carol" on the "Christmas Together" special.

Fraggle Rock was just about the only piece of Henson media I did not watch when I was a kid- this clip you shared is absolutely heart rending. It was brought to my attention this year that Jim Henson himself may have been in the closet, which is something I'd never considered before.

Damn, that Fraggle Rock storyline synopsis made me cry. Idk how I would handle actually watching it. 🥺 PS. Thanks for correcting the subtitles!

I never watched any of these shows as a kid but you brought me to tears over this story I'd never known.

When all the muppets come together to sung Just one person at the memorial if gets me in the feels everytime. Really was a beautiful moment..🥲

Who's peeling onions in here? Is that you Beaker???? Thanks, Matt, that was truly a great vid.

Awww man. Here I am sitting in my car sobbing and I start a new job in 20 minutes. LOL Great work, Matt.

Beaker and Dr Bunsen were a couple? I bet they had the freakiest toys. I mean plug-into-the-mains freaky.

I don't know why but this one really hit me hard. Such a good piece.

This is the first episode that made me cry!!!

And here I am bawling again at footage of Jim Henson's memorial service. It's one of those things I rewatch periodically, just to remind me of the best parts of human nature and the magic of wonder and curiosity. Richard Hunt was my favourite muppeteer. Long live subversive jokes, puppetry, and bright felt!

As a man who grew up in the 80’s and loves all of Jim Henson’s creations; Oh this looks charming,.... 12 minutes later *frantically scrambling for the Kleenex box as I am ugly crying*

This was so sweet. I'm crying.

Most recently, Disney Channel’s Muppet Babies had Gonzo attend the group’s fairy tale ball in a Princess dress. He was told he had to dress as a knight because that’s how the boys dress for it, but Rizzo gave him a Cinderella style dress. By the end his friends apologize for telling him how to dress when he just wanted to be himself. It’s beautiful and very touching.

Was not expecting to be this emotional after watching this!!!

I LOVE this & CANNOT wait for Stein's Biography!

I was born after all of this (in 1992) and it still makes me emotional to watch parts of Jim’s funeral.

I came here for cute happy muppets, not to have my heart broken by a tragic love story!! (For real though, the muppets were magnificent and I love that it's so inclusive)

Me at the start of this video: Oh fun, I love the Muppets, I grew up watching all their stuff! Me at the end of this video: Sobbing inconsolably, dissolving into a puddle of tears For real though, thanks for telling this story - that I wasn't aware of at all and that deserves so much recognition! ❤

This is the Video that made me subscribe with a smile. Matt, I really believe you should expand this work to a full documentary. The writing structure of your narration as well as your visual storytelling are incredible. If you ever need help with a project I'd be proud to be a part of it. From one artist to another 👏

12:00 talk about professionalism, performing that without breaking up. I got choked up from all these decades away, and in the luxury of the love of my life sleeping nearby. No way could I perform that song in such grief. Mad respect to both of them.

Man, I remember watching that episode of Fraggle Rock when I was younger and being devastated... knowing the historical context and what they were trying to do makes it even moreso.

I just wanted to say how constantly insightful and well laid out your essays are. You're one of my favourite creators on this site and I always love to see a new video in my notifications!

The way I busted out in tears multiple times while watching this, good Lord. Glad to see Richard Hunt getting his well deserved praise and his story told. Excited to get that biography on his life.

Two years after first seeing this one and commenting about it making me sob before starting a new job, the Fraggle Rock Mudwell section broke me. My best friend of nearly 25 years, who I definitely consider a soul mate, passed away in March 2024 and I don't know how long it'll take me to heal from my heart being crushed like that, but I should probably look that episode up and watch it for catharsis.

Thank you, that was wonderful. I adored Fraggle Rock as a kid, I shouldn't be surprised talented qveer folks were behind it. Love the shirt too.

I found it amazing seeing the cast on stage; I find the Muppets so totally convincing that I completely forget that it takes a huge crowd of cool humans to bring them to life. 😍 Thanks for a great, and heartfelt video. Despite (or maybe because of) being alive at the time, the AIDs epidemic was something going in the background. Looking back, I feel terrible for the victims of the disease and their loved ones. Suffering through an epidemic while the rest of the world, at best, ignored them; and, at worst, attacked them verbally, physically and legally.

I am not crying, you are crying!

I found a t.v. pilot of a show called "Puppetman" that Richard Hunt was in. It was about two guys who were local children's show puppeteers. It seemed pretty interesting. Sorry that it never got made. It's so rare that we actually got to see his face as a performer. Could have been cool. I miss hearing his voice. He voiced some of my favorite characters growing up like Scooter, Forgetful Jones, Bert's nephew Brad, and Gladys the Cow. I miss all of the original muppeteer voices in general. You can blatantly hear the vocal differences of the new muppeteers, and it's just not the same.

This video sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions I wasn't ready for. The quality of your content is always great, but I can tell how thoughtfully crafted this one is in particular.

Wow… this made me cry. The muppets are so important to the world

I love Matt's videos, and perhaps it's bc the Muppets had a huge impact on me more than other shows talked about here... But this episode felt uniquely personal, compassionate, and touching. Keep up the great work, Matt!

Statler is by far my favorite iconic character Richard performed R.I.P. Richard 😢

This story of Richard was so touching. I’m glad he had such a huge effect on my childhood without most people’s knowledge. ❤️

Thank you so much for this video. I was the odd child that knew the Muppeteers' names at eight years old. They were my idols. Now, as a gay adult, I not only appreciate the profound effect each of them had in pop culture, but I also recognize what a profound loss it must have been to lose the core member that was openly gay in a difficult time to be one - there was so much homophobia during the earliest days of AIDS. Richard Hunt's voice has seemingly been the one most difficult to replicate in the characters he brought to life; none of them work quite as well since his passing. Sadly, the man underneath them will never be as widely known as those pieces of foam and fabric, but this tribute is a good start.

What an absolutely wonderful tribute. Very nicely done and so touching. Thank you Thank you Thank you. The Muppets were a big part of my tv life growing up and certainly shaped my sense of humour. To know now that there was a powerful gay man behind the masks is just icing on the cake.

Thank you for sharing Richard's story and brilliance with him. My favorite character of his was Don Music. Whenever I feel frustrated and overdramatic I remember how Don would hit his head on the piano keyboard and I'm able to laugh and get a better perspective. My family calls it "Don Music" moments.

This one brought me to tears. What a wonderful and brilliant man. Here in Chile this show never hit that hard, but I would love to watch it, especially with that meaningful storys

What a great way to honor Jim Henson’s and Richard’s memories. Thank you for this wonderful story!

This episode was so cathartic and loving and wonderful. Thank you so much!

You released this video with miraculous timing, I just recently started watching The Muppet Show! All of the performers are so talented and deserve to be recognized for their work as well as their lives. Thank you for highlighting Richard Hunt as both an often overlooked piece of Muppet history and as a gay icon!

This channel fills me with so much pride 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 Straight people find out about their history automatically from parents, grandparents and school. As LGBTQ+, we have to go out on our own to learn about our history and this channel is a treasure trove. Thank you.