Several Muppets who appeared on Sesame Street had their origins in earlier productions, usually commercials or variety show sketches.
Cookie Monster First appeared as the Wheel-Stealer in an unaired commercial for General Foods in 1966.
See also: Cookie Monster Through the Years
See also: Cookie Monster Through the Years
Little Bird First appeared as Kenner Gooney Bird in commercials for Kenner Toys in 1968.
Orange Gold Anything Muppet Puppet first appeared as a character for FHA commercials in the mid-1960s, then later as Conrad Love before becoming Guy Smiley and other similarly-designed characters.
Beautiful Day Monster First appeared as the Crown-Grabber in the General Foods commercial in 1966, then later gained fame for an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969.
Rowlf the Dog First appeared in commercials for Purina Dog Chow in 1962. Appeared on Sesame Street in "Numerosity: Song of Nine" presenting 9 lights.
Southern Colonel Whatnot Originally built as the Southern Colonel for Southern Bread commercials, and later used on several shows as a generic Whatnot; for Sesame Street it was used for Jack and the first version of Granny Fanny Nesselrode.
Baskerville the Hound First appeared in commercials for Purina Dog Chow in 1962. Appeared on Sesame Street in "Pick Your Pet" sketch.
Taminella Grinderfall First appeared in Tales of the Tinkerdee in 1962. Appeared on Sesame Street in a season 1 Muppet insert (First: Episode 0075).
Limbo First appeared on Sam & Friends circa late-1950s. Appeared on Sesame Street in Scanimate Films.
Sprint Lady Originally designed for Sprint Chocolate Wafers commercial, but later appeared on Sesame Street in "Gone with the Wind" (First: Episode 0034) and used for Frieda in Bob's "F" story (First: Episode 0095).
Big V First appeared in the Glow-Worm sketch in 1964, and later appeared in season 1 sketches on Sesame Street.
Flute-Snatcher First appeared in an unaired General Foods commercial in 1966.
Fred First appeared in the "Monster Family" sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1966.
Billy Also first appeared in the "Monster Family" sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1966.
Scudge First appeared in a Christmas sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 with Arthur Godfrey.
Snerfs Appeared as early as 1965 as a prototype puppet from Ideal Toys. Also planned to appear in the TV special The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow.
Snerk First appeared in a Christmas sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 with Arthur Godfrey.
Snork First appeared in a Christmas sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 with Arthur Godfrey. Appeared on Sesame Street in "Seven Days."
Sour Bird First appeared in Royal Crown Cola commercials in 1966.
Splurge First appeared in the Cinderella pilot in 1965, then later on The Ed Sullivan Show and Hey Cinderella!.
Thudge First appeared in a Christmas sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 with Arthur Godfrey. Appeared on Sesame Street in the Numerosity film for the number 5.
Yorick First appeared on Sam and Friends in 1955.
Turkey Hollow monster Originally built for the unfinished project The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow in 1968.
Turkey Hollow monster First appeared in the "Music Hath Charms" sketch on The Hollywood Palace in 1966, later intended to be reused for the unfinished project The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow in 1968.
Claw monster First appeared in the "Music Hath Charms" sketch on The Hollywood Palace in 1966.