The proud and confident Pepe, with his four arms, takes immense offense when mistaken for a mere shrimp. Asserting his identity as a king prawn, he adamantly declares, “I am not a shrimp! I am a king prawn, okay?” His sentences are adorned with a thick Spanish accent, often followed by “…Okay?” Pepe’s accent sometimes poses a challenge, leading him to affectionately refer to the Muppets as “Muffins” or “Muppens”. With endearing mispronunciations, he playfully addresses Kermit as “Kermin”, Fozzie Bear as “Fotzie”, Animal as “Animals”, Rizzo as “Ritzo,” Miss Piggy as “Miss Picky,” and Scooter as “Scooper.” Even Walter, unfortunately, falls victim to Pepe’s humorous misnomers, being called “Howard” instead. Additionally, at the 2009 D23 Expo, Pepe mistakenly refers to Sam the Eagle as “Stan”. Lastly, the marketing guru Pizza, pronounced as Pache, receives the whimsical nickname of “Poncho” from Pepe.
Pepe is the writer of the book It’s Challenging Out Here for a Shrimp.
Pepe made his grand debut in 1996 on the sensational show Muppets Tonight, joining forces with the charismatic Seymour the Elephant. Together, they embarked on an exciting journey at the prestigious KMUP studios, initially delighting audiences as skilled elevator operators in the inaugural season before tantalizing taste buds as talented commissary chefs in the following season. Yet, deep within their hearts, a burning desire for fame as captivating singing sensations lingered. Alas, their aspirations remained unfulfilled as their performances were met with disappointment. Unfazed by the setbacks, they persisted, belting out the same enchanting melody time and again, albeit with a sprinkle of lyrical creativity.
I’m Seymour…
‘I’m Pepe…
‘We’re two of a kind.
‘I’m a little bit forward,
‘And I’ve got a big behind.
The duo made rare appearances on stage, gracing the spotlight merely twice. Their first encounter unfolded during the Pierce Brosnan episode, where they found themselves captured by a formidable army of lobsters, scheming to seize control of the entire studio. The second rendezvous took place in the Sandra Bullock episode, as Clifford and Rizzo found themselves in dire need of a captivating performance to ensure the show’s ratings remained above the coveted 50 mark.
After Muppets Tonight ended, Pepe ceased collaborating with Seymour under mysterious circumstances; Seymour has not made another appearance since.
In the 1999 film Muppets from Space, Pepe solidified his reputation as an independent performer, captivating audiences as a one-man show. Together with Rizzo, he schemed to persuade Gonzo that the extraterrestrials desired his expertise in constructing a luxurious jacuzzi.
Pepe had the privilege of being a correspondent during the initial episodes of the web series Statler & Waldorf: From the Balcony. In this role, he had the opportunity to interview renowned actress Jodie Foster and various other actors while they graced the red carpet for Flightplan. Drew Massey flawlessly portrayed Pepe in the “test pilot” of the show.
Pepe’s charm and rebellious nature, coupled with Bill Barretta’s spontaneous talents, have led to Pepe becoming a frequent host of bonus content on DVDs. Pepe takes the reins in showcasing the behind-the-scenes material for It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (Inside Pepe’s Studio), The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz (Pepe’s Exclusive Making Of and an interview with Quentin Tarantino), and Studio DC: Almost Live! (Pepe’s Travels). Additionally, “Pepe’s Profiles” of various Muppet characters were showcased on the ‘Kermit’s 50th Anniversary Edition’ releases of The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Muppet Treasure Island.
Pepe makes a short appearance in the 2011 movie, The Muppets, practicing a dance routine with Miss Piggy.
In the year 2014, Pepe made quite a splash in Muppets Most Wanted. Not only did he make a cameo appearance alongside Sean Combs (Puff Daddy), but he also showcased his talents as a backup singer in the captivating song “Something So Right.” Adding to his repertoire, Pepe even had a remarkable solo in the El Muppet Show rendition of “The Muppet Show Theme,” although it sadly didn’t make it to the final cut of the film. However, fans can still enjoy his solo as it remains a part of the film’s soundtrack. Pepe’s star power didn’t stop there, as he also joined Scooter on stage for a sensational performance of “Moves Like Jagger.”
Pepe, an integral part of The Muppets TV series, takes on the role of a writer for Up Late with Miss Piggy, where he shares the spotlight with Gonzo and Rizzo. As fate would have it, the trio eventually embarks on a journey that leads them to become roommates.
In the whimsical world of Muppets Now, Pepe takes center stage as the charismatic host of his mind-boggling series called “Pepe’s Unbelievable Game Show.” With his unpredictable nature, he constantly shakes up the show’s format, leaving his loyal assistant Scooter in a state of perpetual dismay.
Barretta pondered the transformation in Pepe’s personality following Muppets Tonight, stating:
Pepe, the lady-charming crustacean, has forever been captivated by the fairer sex, transforming himself into a suave and smooth-talking Casanova. He effortlessly flirts with an array of mesmerizing women including Rachel Bitterman, Ashanti, Jodie Foster, Bonnie Hunt, Joy, Whoopi Goldberg, and even the illustrious Lady Gaga. However, his endeavors do not always yield the desired results, as demonstrated by the unkind treatment he receives from Rachel Bitterman in the heartwarming tale of It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie.
During a captivating 2012 Ask Pepe video, Pepe revealed his penchant for taking the initiative when it comes to women. However, in a delightful twist, he admitted that the enchanting Amy Adams had effortlessly stolen the spotlight by making the daring first move on him.
During a captivating episode of The View in 2013, Pepe took a bold leap and surprised everyone by proposing to the iconic Whoopi Goldberg (who revealed that they had secretly been together for over two decades). Dressed impeccably in a suave tuxedo, Pepe held out a dazzling engagement ring while playfully declaring “if you’re fond of it, then you should definitely adorn it with a ring.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Whoopi joyfully exclaimed “absolutely!”
Pepe’s charming antics on Good Morning America caught the attention of host Lara Spencer. Their playful exchanges became the talk of The Muppets episode “Little Green Lie,” in which she ultimately turns down his advances due to his lack of a formal gesture.
In the enchanting world of Muppets Haunted Mansion, his heart succumbs to the allure of the spectral widow, Constance Hatchaway, as their fates intertwine. Bound by a bewitching spell, she seeks both love and treachery, plotting to wed and ultimately vanquish him.
Pepe possesses a fondness for donning garments of the opposite gender, frequently adorning himself in a vibrant pink tutu. The inaugural instance of Pepe being discovered in his tutu occurred within the realm of Muppets from Space. In a rather unexpected turn of events, Pepe found himself caught off-guard as the effects of Muppet Lab’s invisibility spray faded away, rendering him visible while gracefully engaging in the art of ballet whilst clad in his tutu. Demonstrating his unwavering dedication to this fashion choice, Pepe revisited the tutu’s splendor in a 2008 Muppets.Com video, wherein he showcased his talent in a performance titled “Prawn Lake”. Moreover, Pepe proudly sported the tutu once more during his appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where he mesmerizingly sang the iconic “nine ladies dancing” segment from the timeless holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
Furthermore, Pepe adorned himself in a dazzling sequined gown while serving as Seymour’s trusty sidekick in episode 202 of Muppets Tonight. He also gracefully slipped into a “sheer nighty” for a captivating appearance in a V-Chip advertisement, and expertly donned a lustrous blonde wig to flawlessly mimic Miss Piggy in episode 109 of Muppets Tonight.
