dpic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2001
Link in NYT.
Quote: The longtime voice of Kermit the Frog squared off against executives at Disney on Monday over the company’s decision to fire him after almost three decades of bringing that beloved Muppet to life.
The performer, Steve Whitmire, broke his silence in a telephone interview on Monday, saying that Disney’s dismissal had amounted to “a betrayal” after a career devoted to carrying on the legacy of Jim Henson, the founder of the Muppets and the original voice of Kermit. Mr. Whitmire insisted that Disney gave him no warning before telling him last fall that he would be replaced for what he described as minor reasons, like his manner of communicating with executives....
The war of words between Mr. Whitmire and Disney was startling, given the outward harmony of the Muppets brand and the fact that when prominent performers are fired, the two sides usually come to terms and agree not to disparage each other. In this case, both Mr. Whitmire and Disney executives say they are fighting to protect the reputation and legacy of a beloved brand.
Quote: The longtime voice of Kermit the Frog squared off against executives at Disney on Monday over the company’s decision to fire him after almost three decades of bringing that beloved Muppet to life.
The performer, Steve Whitmire, broke his silence in a telephone interview on Monday, saying that Disney’s dismissal had amounted to “a betrayal” after a career devoted to carrying on the legacy of Jim Henson, the founder of the Muppets and the original voice of Kermit. Mr. Whitmire insisted that Disney gave him no warning before telling him last fall that he would be replaced for what he described as minor reasons, like his manner of communicating with executives....
The war of words between Mr. Whitmire and Disney was startling, given the outward harmony of the Muppets brand and the fact that when prominent performers are fired, the two sides usually come to terms and agree not to disparage each other. In this case, both Mr. Whitmire and Disney executives say they are fighting to protect the reputation and legacy of a beloved brand.