Noel MacNeal

Noel MacNeal
MacNeal at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2023
Born (1961-09-15) September 15, 1961 (age 63)
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Occupations
  • Puppeteer
  • director
  • writer
  • actor
  • singer
Years active1983–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1999)​
Children1

Noel MacNeal (born September 15, 1961), sometimes credited as Edward Noel MacNeal, is an American puppeteer, actor, director, and writer best known as the performer of Bear on Bear in the Big Blue House. He also starred as Kako on Oobi, Leon MacNeal on The Puzzle Place and as Magellan on Eureeka's Castle. Since 2014, MacNeal has served as resident puppeteer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, portraying puppet characters such as Mr. Nutterbutter.

Career

MacNeal began his career in puppetry in 1982 as a puppet wrangler on Sesame Street.[1] In 1983, he succeeded John Lovelady as the performer of Knock-Knock the Woodpecker on The Great Space Coaster.[2]

In 1997, MacNeal gained widespread recognition for his role as Bear in the Disney Channel preschool series Bear in the Big Blue House.[3] In 2003, he received a Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series.

In addition to puppeteering, MacNeal has written for a variety of children's programs including Eureeka's Castle, and The Puzzle Place. MacNeal has also directed several programs, including episodes of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss and Between the Lions. In 2023, he directed an episode for season 53 of Sesame Street.[4][5]

Since 2014, MacNeal has served as resident puppeteer and performed various characters on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.[6]

Personal life

On November 6, 1999, he married author Susan Elia at Manhattan's Union Theological Seminary.[7] In 2005, their son Matthew was born.[8]

Filmography

Film

Year Production Role Notes
1985 Follow That Bird Madame Chairbird Performer
1993 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III Raphael Facial assistant
2008 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa Sweetums Performer; Television film
2009 Old Dogs Puppeteer

Television

Year Production Role Notes
1983–1986 The Great Space Coaster Knock-Knock Performer
1983–present Sesame Street Mommy Snuffleupagus, Gretel, Additional Muppets
1985 Little Muppet Monsters Rat, Cow, Magic Book
1989–1995 Eureeka's Castle Magellan, Webster Performer, writer
1990 The Cosby Show Cheese Puppeteer; Episode: "Cliff's Nightmare"
1991 Dinosaurs Additional characters Puppeteer
1992 Dog City Officer Fuzzy, Doctor Performer
1993 CityKids Koozebanians
1995–1996 The Puzzle Place Leon MacNeal, Blue Piece Police Performer, writer
1997–2006 Bear in the Big Blue House Bear, Moss, Billy Performer
1997 Sally's Lighthouse Writer
1998 Gullah Gullah Island Writer; Episode: "Magic Show"
1999 Cosby Puppeteer; Episode: "My Spy"
2000–2005 Oobi Kako Performer
2006 Breakfast with Bear Bear Performer, writer
2001–2003 The Book of Pooh Rabbit Performer
2004 Chappelle's Show Puppeteer; Episode: "Knee High Park"
2006–2007 Blue's Room Blue Puppeteer (season 2)
2009–2010 Between the Lions Lionel Lion (seasons 9-10), Monkey, Squeaky the Wheel Performer
2014–2021 Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Puppeteer
2015 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Puppeteer; Episode: "Kimmy's in a Love Triangle!"
2017 Julie's Greenroom Additional characters Performer
2022 Pause with Sam Jay Puppeteer; Episode: "Dead Momma Episode"

References

  1. ^ Roe, Ryan (2013-05-31). "The Bronx Cheers For Sesame Street". ToughPigs. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  2. ^ Times, Kristie Rearick | South Jersey (2011-09-09). "Puppeteer hosting workshops at Philadelphia Zoo". nj. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  3. ^ ""Bear" in the House". Huntington, NY Patch. 2012-09-01. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  4. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  5. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2023-12-18). "Children's & Family Emmys: The Complete Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  6. ^ Dessem, Matthew (2018-02-25). "Court Finds John Oliver Has the Right to Hire a Giant Squirrel Named "Mr. Nutterbutter" to Insult Coal Barons". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  7. ^ Brady, Lois Smith. "LOIS SMITH BRADY" The New York Times; November 14, 1999
  8. ^ "Muppet Central News - Muppeteer Noel MacNeal writes puppet making book for young and old".
Preceded by Performer of Mommy Snuffleupagus
1980s-1990s 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Performer of Sweetums
2008; 2017 		Succeeded by