Steve Whitmire (born September 24, 1959 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American puppeteer actor and performer. In 1978 began his career at the age of 20. He replaced Jim Henson's muppet characters. He is performer for Kermit, and many other characters that Jim Henson preformed. He has also preformed rizzo. He is married to Mellisa Whitmire. He has also preformed Ernie on Sesame Street.