Richard Hunt (puppeteer)
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Richard Hunt (August 16, 1951 - January 7, 1992) was an American puppeteer best known for his association with The Muppets. His Muppet characters included Scooter, Janice, Beaker, Statler, and Sweetums, He also performed many characters on Sesame Street, including Forgetful Jones, Placido Flamingo, Don Music, and an early Elmo.
Following his death from AIDS, the role of Beaker was inherited by Steve Whitmire, that of Statler by Jerry Nelson, that of Sweetums by John Henson, and those of Scooter and Janice by Brian Henson; Scooter's most recent performer is Rickey Boyd.