Muppets Kermit the Frog voice artist out; replaced by Big Bird voice over actor

See archival photos of Kermit, Miss Piggy and more of your favorite Muppet and "Sesame Street" characters through the years ... See archival photos of Kermit, Miss Piggy and more of your favorite Muppet and "Sesame Street" characters through the years ... Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Via Getty Images Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Muppets Kermit the Frog voice artist out; replaced by Big Bird voice over actor 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Kermit the Frog is getting a new voice after 27 years.

Steve Whitmire has stepped down from his role as the voice behind the iconic Muppet, according to reports by ABC News and The Hollywood Reporter. Whitmire has voiced the character since Muppets creator Jim Henson's death in 1990. A Muppets Studio spokeswoman told the outlets that longtime Muppets performer and director Matt Vogel will be taking over the role.

Whitmire has been a puppeteer for nearly four decades and has also voiced grumpy critic Statler, Rizzo the Rat and other characters for the Muppets and Sesame Street.

Representatives for Disney didn't immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Tuesday about why the switch was being made.

Muppet fansite Tough Pigs was the first to announce the news of Whitmire's departure. The site also claims Vogel is expected to voice Kermit as soon as next week.

Vogel has been the voice of Muppets like Big Bird, Ernie, and Robin the Frog in the past.

See photos of the Muppets throughout the years in the photos above.