Willem Theodoor "Wim T." Schippers (July 1942 – 10 June 2026)
Ever since the start of Sesame Street in the Netherlands in 1976, Paul Haenen and Wim T. Schippers brought the famous Muppet duo to life. Their approach differed significantly from the original American version. Schippers gave Ernie a distinctive, lisping, and somewhat mischievous voice, while Haenen turned Bert into a neurotic but lovable grump. The dialogues were not translated verbatim but were given a typically Dutch, somewhat absurdist twist. As a result, the characters became truly iconic and loved by adults and children alike.