Sweetums

Recommended music: Cher – That Old Black Magic (featuring Sweetums)

Sweet! This #SomethingElseSunday, we’re still celebrating 70 years of the Muppets! Here’s a character you’ve likely seen a few times, but depending on your age, will have an entirely different frame of reference for. From the Palisades Toys Muppets line, it’s Sweetums!

The big, hairy ogre made his debut in the 1971 Tales from Muppetland TV special “The Frog Prince.” Performed by Richard Hunt, Sweetums’ next appearance came with other Muppet characters during a 1975 episode of the Cher variety show. Though not a main member of The Muppet Show cast, Sweetums had many memorable duets with guest stars during his 23 episodes of the series. He also appeared at the beginning of each show during The Muppet Show Theme for seasons 2-5.

Sweetums went on to play a larger part in The Muppet Movie and dozens of other Muppet productions over the years, but his most memorable appearance for millions of theme park guests was showing up in the 1991 Muppet*Vision 3D film attraction. The show ran for 14 years at Disney California Adventure and for 34 years at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sweetums’ role in the show was unique, as all the other Muppet characters were limited to either the 3D film or a select number of audio-animatronics around the theater. Sweetums was played by a live park Cast Member in a full-sized costume holding a flashlight, accompanied by a voice recording from Richard Hunt, in his final performance in the role.

In the Palisades Toys line, Sweetums made his action figure debut in the fall of 2004 as an exclusive to the (now defunct) OMGCNFO.com website. The largest figure in the Palisades line, standing at over 10″ tall, Sweetums came with no accessories, but some collectors did receive a figure with two left feet. 😄 The figure does come with a great paint job and sculpt, as well as 19 points of articulation, including adjustable eyebrows.

A new version of Sweetums was planned for the Diamond Select Toys Muppets toy line. However, Diamond Comics filed for bankruptcy in January 2025. The subsequent shutdowns of Diamond Select Toys and Gentle Giant Ltd. in May mean that those DST products on pre-order are unlikely to ship. Though the assets were acquired by Ad Populum, the parent company of NECA Toys, I wouldn’t hold my breath for a DST Sweetums.

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