David Rudman (born June 1, 1963) is an American puppeteer, puppet builder, writer, director, and producer. He performs the roles of Scooter, Janice, and Beaker for The Muppets, as well as Cookie Monster and Baby Bear on Sesame Street.

Career

Rudman has been a performer on Sesame Street since 1985. He currently performs Cookie Monster (since 2001), Baby Bear, and the right head of the Two-Headed Monster (since 1998). For his work on the series, he has received four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series. He has directed several Sesame Street web videos.[citation needed]

In addition to his work on Sesame Street, Rudman is a performer with the Muppets, where he succeeded many roles originally portrayed by Richard Hunt, including Scooter, Janice, Bobby Benson, and Wayne. Following the departure of Steve Whitmire in 2016, Rudman became the performer for Beaker the following year.

Spiffy Pictures

Spiffy Pictures is a Chicago-based production company that was founded by David Rudman and his brother Adam Rudman in 2003. The studio consists mainly of live-action television shows developed for children's television networks.

Rudman is co-owner of Spiffy Pictures where he has co-created, executive produced, directed and performed in Jack's Big Music Show (Noggin), Curious Buddies (Nick Jr.), Bunnytown (Playhouse Disney), Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map (Warner Bros.), Frankie and Frank (Nick Jr.), and Donkey Hodie (PBS Kids). He is also the creator and executive producer of the animated series Nature Cat (PBS Kids), on which he voices several characters, including Leo the Mammoth, Prospector Jones, Nevin, and the Seeker.

Personal life

Rudman attended Highland Park High School and graduated in 1981. He has been a speaker at the school's biennial Focus on the Arts program since 2003. He attended college at the University of Connecticut.

In 2005, Rudman spoke at the graduation ceremony for the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago.

Filmography

Film

YearProductionRoleOther notes
1984The Muppets Take ManhattanAdditional MuppetsPerformer
1986LabyrinthGoblinsPuppeteer
1992The Muppet Christmas CarolSwedish Chef, Wander McMoochPerformer
1993Billy Bunny's Animal SongsFrog, Gopher, Penguin, Percival Bear, Termite
1995Mr. Willowby's Christmas TreeNed MousePerformer; television film
1999The Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandBaby Bear, Caterpillar, Pestie, Collander Stenchman, Ice Cream Customer, Alarm Clock Bird, Fat Blue Customer, Gassy Grouch, Grouch PrisonerPerformer
2008Abby in WonderlandCookie MonsterPerformer; direct-to-DVD film
2011The MuppetsScooter, Janice, Miss Poogy, Wayne, Bobby Benson, Singing FoodPerformer
2013Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery MapScooby-DooPuppeteer; direct-to-DVD film
2014Muppets Most WantedScooter, Janice, Miss Poogy, Wayne, Bobby BensonPerformer

Television

YearProductionRoleOther notes
1985–presentSesame StreetCookie Monster, Baby Bear, Sully, Sonny Friendly, Humphrey, Flo BearPerformer
1985Little Muppet MonstersBoo MonsterPerformer
1986The Tale of the Bunny PicnicSnort, Snail, Additional MuppetsPerformer; television special
1987A Muppet Family ChristmasAdditional Muppets, Miss Piggy's Photographer (voice)Performer; television special
1987–89The Jim Henson HourAdditional MuppetsPerformer
1989The Ghost of Faffner HallEarl the Dragon
1990The Cosby ShowSweetums, Boo Monster
The Earth Day SpecialLizardPerformer; television special
The Magical World of DisneyDog, Frog,Performer
1991Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat CakeAthena, Chicago the LionPerformer; television special
1991–92DinosaursAdditional DinosaursPerformer; 2 episodes
1993Sesame Street Stays Up Late!Baby Bear, MNN Logo Orange Monster, Grouches, AM MonstersPerformer; television special
1993–94CityKidsDread, Frankie Frank, Lieutenant, Koozbanians, ToyaPerformer
1994Dog CityBowserVoice; 1 episode
1996Aliens in the FamilyBobut, Orange and Purple YukklesPerformer
1997Muppets TonightAdditional Muppets
2002–07Play with Me SesameCookie Monster, Chicago the Lion, Ernestine
2004–05Curious BuddiesCo-creator, executive producer
2005–07Jack's Big Music ShowJackPerformer, co-creator, executive producer
2007–08BunnytownYellow Cave Bunny, Hoppy Funtooth, Blue Bunny Musician
2008Studio DC: Almost LiveJanice, ScooterPerformer
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to SantaPerformer; television special
2009Dinner: ImpossibleCookie MonsterPerformer; 1 episode
2009–10Where is Warehouse Mouse?Director
2012Jimmy Kimmel Live!JanicePerformer; 1 episode
2013Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday SpectacularJanice, ScooterPerformer; television special
2014–16The Furchester HotelCookie Monster, Gonger, SorbetPerformer
2015–16The MuppetsScooter, Janice, Satay
2015–25Nature CatLeo the Mammoth, Additional voicesVoice, co-creator, executive producer
2019Drop the MicBeakerPerformer; 1 episode
Lip Sync BattleCookie Monster
2020The Not-Too-Late Show with ElmoPerformer
Muppets NowScooter, Janice, Beaker, Miss Poogy
2021Muppets Haunted MansionScooter, Janice, Beaker, Wayne, Squid GhostPerformer; Disney+ special
2021–presentDonkey HodieBob Dog, Grampy Hodie, Stanley the DragonPerformer, co-creator, executive producer
2022Mecha BuildersMecha Cookie MonsterVoice
2023The Muppets MayhemJanicePerformer
2026The Muppet ShowScooter, Janice, Beaker, Miss PoogyPerformer; Disney+ special

Other appearances

Year(s)ProductionRoleOther notes
1991Muppet*Vision 3DRoy, MaxPerformer, theme park show
2003Sesame Street 4-D Movie MagicCookie Monster, Two-Headed MonsterPerformer, theme park film
2021The Muppets' Christmas Caroling CoachBeakerVoice, theme park show
2025"World of Color Happiness!" preshowScooter, Janice, BeakerPerformer (prerecorded footage), theme park show

External links

Preceded byRichard HuntPerformer of Scooter 2008–presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded byRichard HuntPerformer of Janice 2008–presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded byJim HensonPerformer of Swedish Chef 1992Succeeded byBill Barretta
Preceded byRichard HuntPerformer of Bobby Benson 2011–presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded byRichard HuntPerformer of Wayne 2011–presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded byMartin RobinsonPerformer of Mommy Snuffleupagus 1980s – 1990sSucceeded byNoel MacNeal
Preceded byRichard HuntPerformer of Sully 1992–1999Succeeded byNone
Preceded byRichard HuntPerformer of Sonny Friendly 1992–2000Succeeded byNone
Preceded byAdam HuntPerformer of Two-Headed Monster (right head) 1998–presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded byFrank OzPerformer of Cookie Monster January 2, 2001(2001-01-02) – presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded bySteve WhitmirePerformer of Beaker September 2, 2017(2017-09-02) – presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded byNoneMiss Poogy September 1, 2011(2011-09-01) – presentSucceeded byNone
Preceded byNoneBaby Bear April 29, 1991(1991-04-29) – presentSucceeded byNone