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Bert
'Sesame Street, Play with Me Sesame' character
Bert and Ernie.JPG
Ernie and his rubber duckie with Bert (pictured on right) on Sesame Street in 1977.
First appearance Sesame Street Test Pilot 1 (July 21, 1969)
Portrayed by Frank Oz (1969–2006)
Eric Jacobson (1997–present)
Information
Species Human Muppet
Gender Male

Bert is a famous golden yellow Muppet character from the popular children's TV show Sesame Street. He is known for being the serious, sometimes grumpy, friend to his cheerful roommate, Ernie. Bert first appeared in 1969 when Sesame Street began.

Originally, Bert was brought to life by the puppeteer Frank Oz. Later, starting in 1997, Eric Jacobson took over as Bert's main performer. Bert has also made special appearances in other Muppet shows and movies, like The Muppet Show and The Muppet Movie.

Meet Bert: A Unique Muppet

Bert is easy to spot with his bright yellow color and a single, long eyebrow that goes across his forehead, called a unibrow. He often wears a shirt with vertical stripes, which is different from Ernie's horizontal stripes. Even though he can be a bit grumpy, Bert also has moments of happiness and fun.

Bert's Personality and Interests

Bert is often seen as the more serious and organized one in his friendship with Ernie. He likes to collect things, such as bottle caps and paper clips. He also enjoys quiet hobbies like reading and looking at pigeons. His calm nature makes him a great contrast to Ernie's playful and sometimes messy ways.

Bert's History on Sesame Street

Bert first appeared in the very first test episodes of Sesame Street in 1969. In those early days, his unibrow didn't move much. Over time, as the show developed, Bert's character also changed.

How Bert's Look and Personality Evolved

Starting in Season 3 of Sesame Street, Bert's unibrow gained the ability to move up and down, which added more expression to his face. From 1997 onwards, Bert became a bit funnier and even nicer, though he still kept his signature grumpy side. Bert's design and personality have been updated several times over the years to keep him fresh and interesting for new generations of viewers.

Bert and Ernie: A Classic Duo

Bert's best friend and roommate is Ernie. Together, they form one of the most famous and beloved duos on Sesame Street. Their friendship is a central part of the show, teaching kids about different personalities and how friends can get along even if they are very different.

Ernie's Role in Their Friendship

Ernie is known for being more playful, silly, and sometimes a bit clumsy. He loves to sing, play with his rubber duckie, and often tries to get Bert to join in his fun, even if Bert would rather be quiet. Ernie was first performed by Jim Henson until his passing in 1990. Their funny interactions often show how two very different friends can still care for each other deeply.

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