7 Fun Facts for Kermit’s 70th Birthday

Kermit the Frog likes to say he was born in a swamp with thousands of tadpole siblings, but Terps know better: The affable amphibian was actually created at the University of Maryland.

There would be no Henson or Kermit without the University of Maryland: His father, Paul Henson M.S. ’30, was studying genetics and plant biology in College Park when he met and eventually married Elizabeth “Betty” Brown, secretary to the dean of what was then the College of Agriculture, and the family eventually settled in University Park. Their son went on to meet future wife Jane Nebel ’55 in a new UMD puppetry class, with whom he created his first television show, “Sam and Friends.” (It aired on NBC4 in Washington from 1955-61.)

This isn’t the first time Kermit’s delivered the UMD Commencement address: In 1996, Kermit teamed up with fellow Muppet Elmo to address Terp grads alongside science journalist Michael Guillen. The unlikely trio shared “a commitment to education, a passion for the environment, and a childlike curiosity they hope to inspire in others,” according to the December 1996 Commencement booklet.

The Henson and Kermit statue in front of the Stamp Student Union was a gift from alums: It was dedicated in 2003 as a gift from the Classes of 1994, 1998 and 1999. The popular bench depicts the two in conversation—with just enough space for an extra person to join their chat.

A Kermit-esque puppet sold coffee: While a UMD student majoring in home economics, Henson produced 179 commercials for Wilkins Coffee in Washington, D.C. from 1957-61. They featured cheerful puppet Wilkins, who loved the caffeinated beverages, and grumpy Wontkins, who became so popular that the company offered vinyl versions of the hand puppets through the mail.

“Bein’ Green” is an ode to self-acceptance: In the latest episode of “Cover Story,” a podcast hosted by College of Arts and Humanities Dean Stephanie Shonekan, she explores the song’s themes. She interviews Henson’s daughter, Cheryl, as well as the son of Joe Raposo, who composed it, and explores how famous artists like Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra covered it over the years.

The 2024 Disney+ film “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” was produced by an alumna: Nominated for eight Emmys, the documentary by Sara Bernstein ’95, president of Imagine Documentaries and graduate of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, delves into the Henson family archives and offers a deeply personal look at how Henson and his wife launched the Muppet empire.

A life-size Kermit once took to the UMD football field: To honor Henson just months after his death in 1990, his wife Jane served as Homecoming grand marshal and was joined by Kermit, paramour Miss Piggy and kid favorite Cookie Monster as they sang and danced.