Statler & Waldorf

Blue background with images of the Muppet characters Statler (on the left with dark eyebrows) and Waldorf (on the right with a white mustache) in the center, with yellow text along the top and red text along the bottom

Statler and Waldorf are characters from The Muppet Show, a family television series created by Jim Henson in 1976. The characters were created by Henson, with their puppets being made by designer Bonnie Erickson, also responsible for designing the Muppets character of Miss Piggy. The two old men always appear together, occupying the balcony seats in the Muppet Theater, and are known for their curmudgeonly attitudes and tendency to make fun of other characters and the show at large. Both are named after New York hotels, with Statler being named after the Statler Hotel, and Waldorf after the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (Waldorf's wife is named Astoria, and she appears only in episode 413 of the show).  

Their banter became a defining feature of The Muppet Show, to the point that the characters are often cited as early pop culture representations of the heckler archetype. They appeared in later Muppet films and series, maintaining their role as comic commentators on the action. Over the years, they have been performed by multiple puppeteers; most notably, Waldorf was performed by Jim Henson until his death in 1990, after which Dave Goelz took over and continues the role as of 2025. Statler was originally performed by Richard Hunt, with Steve Whitmire and later other puppeteers taking on the role. The pair remain two of the most recognizable Muppet characters, beloved for their grouchy charm and sharp one-liners.