You know someone’s passing has shaken the world when even fictional characters take a moment to say goodbye. That was the case on July 22, when the death of Ozzy Osbourne — the Prince of Darkness, rock icon, and heavy metal pioneer — triggered a wave of heartfelt tributes from around the globe. Among the most unexpected and moving came from none other than Kermit the Frog, on behalf of The Muppets.
Posted via The Muppets’ official social media, the statement was issued from the pad of Kermit the Frog, and reflected on the unique and lasting connection between Ozzy and the beloved cast of characters.
“No one rocked harder than the great Ozzy Osbourne,” wrote Kermit. “Every time we bumped into Ozzy over the years, he made us feel just as cool as he was. We loved having a friend like Ozzy Osbourne and we feel so lucky to have known him, worked with him and experienced his music for so many decades.”
For fans, the tribute was more than just a novelty — it was a reminder of Ozzy‘s widespread cultural impact. Not only was he a godfather of metal, but he also had a sense of humor and a collaborative spirit that allowed him to cross into mainstream and even family-friendly entertainment.
That connection to The Muppets was genuine. In 1994, Ozzy teamed up with Miss Piggy for a wild cover of Steppenwolf‘s “Born to Be Wild”, which appeared on the comedic and musically eclectic album Kermit Unpigged. The project brought together rock stars and Muppets in a playful, genre-crossing celebration — and Ozzy fit right in.
In 2002, Ozzy reunited with Kermit during the Golden Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II, commemorating the 50th anniversary of her reign. Their appearance at such a historic British event showed just how far Ozzy had come — from biting the head off a bat to standing beside a green puppet and royalty alike, fully embraced by the mainstream.
Then, in 2005, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and found themselves sharing the set with Fozzie Bear. Rather than shy away from the moment, Ozzy leaned into it, continuing his history of charming and surprising crossovers.
And as Kermit said, “We loved having a friend like Ozzy Osbourne.” Millions would agree.
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