Actor

Noel MacNeal

September 15, 1961 · Harlem, New York, USA

Noel MacNeal (born September 15, 1961), sometimes credited as Noel McNeal or Edward Noel MacNeal, is an American puppeteer, actor, director and writer of children's television who has performed since the early 1980s. He was the voice and puppeteer 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. He is also the resident puppeteer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, portraying puppet characters such as "Mr. Nutterbutter".

Notable work

7.5
30 Rock (2006)
as Puppeteer
5.6
Old Dogs (2009)
as Muppet
7.1
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015)
as Puppeteer #1
7
The Cosby Show (1984)
as Cheese (voice)

Often works with

Caroll Spinney
7 titles together
Follow That Bird, Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas, Elmo's Christmas Countdown
Jerry Nelson
7 titles together
Follow That Bird, Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas, Elmo's Christmas Countdown
David Rudman
7 titles together
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas, Elmo's Christmas Countdown
Frank Oz
6 titles together
Follow That Bird, Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas, Sesame Street: Elmopalooza!
Kevin Clash
6 titles together
Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas, Elmo's Christmas Countdown, Sesame Street: Elmopalooza!
Martin P. Robinson
6 titles together
Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas, Elmo's Christmas Countdown, Sesame Street: Elmopalooza!

Full filmography · 38

Live Long
as Ivy
2025
The Muppets Take The O2
as Additional Muppet Performer (voice)
2018
Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars
cast
2012
Old Dogs
as Muppet
20095.6
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
as Sweetums / Additional Muppets (voice)
20085.9
Elmo's Christmas Countdown
as Additional Muppet Performer (voice)
2007
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol
as Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (archive footage)
2006
Bear in the Big Blue House: Potty Time With Bear
as Bear
2004
Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song?
as Additional Muppet Performer
2004
Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
as Bear
2002
Bear in the Big Blue House: Everybody's Special
as Bear (voice)
2002
Bear in the Big Blue House - Party Time with Bear
as Bear (voice)
2001