Ernie is an orange Muppet character created and originally performed by Jim Henson for the children's television show Sesame Street. He and his roommate Bert form the comic duo Bert and Ernie, one of the program's centerpieces, with Ernie acting the role of the naïve troublemaker, and Bert the world-weary foil.
Ernie (Sesame Street)
Ernie (left), with his rubber duckie, and Bert (right) on Sesame Street in 1977.
James Maury Henson was an American puppeteer, animator, actor, and filmmaker who achieved worldwide notability as the creator of the Muppets. Henson was also well known for creating Fraggle Rock (1983–1987) and as the director of The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986).
Henson in 1979
Reproductions built in the Muppets Workshop of the Wilkins (left) and Wontkins (right) Muppets
Henson with Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear in 1979
Henson and producer George Lucas working on Labyrinth in 1986