Sweetums Views
During his first appearance, Sweetums was performed by Muppeteer Jerry Nelson and voiced by voice veteran Carl Banas, but soon after, Richard Hunt made the character his own. Hunt gave life to Sweetums throughout the run of The Muppet Show and the first two Muppet movies. When Hunt's health deteriorated (eventually leading to his death), Muppet creator Jim Henson's son, John Henson, took over the role.
Sweetums also played a car jack in a used-car lot in The Muppet Movie. After Kermit and his friends ask him if he wants to go to Hollywood with them, he shouts Hollywood! repeatedly and runs away, only to come back with his suitcase shortly after the group has left. He pursues the group for the duration of the movie.
Sweetums first appeared on the television special The Frog Prince in 1971 as Taminella's ogre. In this fairytale story, Sir Robin the Brave comes across Sweetums in the woods and enters into battle. Just as the handsome prince is about to defeat the monster, the witch Taminella appears and turns him into Robin the Frog. The ogre coos over the cute froggy-frog, and Taminella tells her darling Sweetums that he can have the frog...for breakfast.
Robin escapes and makes his way to the King's castle, where he befriends Princess Melora. Taminella, who has insinuated herself into the King's confidence, captures the frog and brings him to the dungeon. She returns him to the care of Sweetums, who plans to eat the frog. Robin and Kermit trick the simple-minded ogre by singing him a lullaby, Sleep, Sweetums, which easily puts him to sleep. While Sweetums is asleep, Kermit pretends to be Taminella and tells Sweetums to open the cage and let the frog go.
Sweetums Images
