Formative Performances: Miss Piggy in “The Muppets Take Manhattan”

You may scoff at this choice, thinking that Miss Piggy is a creation by Jim Henson and a character, not an actress – but just try saying that to her face. You’ll get a well-deserved karate chop to the head punctuated by a “HIIIII-YA!”

The fact is, Miss Piggy is a consummate actress and brilliant performer, and in The Muppets Take Manhattan, she has to play the most challenging, yet rewarding, role: herself.

Look how quickly she transitions from one emotion to another – rage at the mugger, sweet gratitude for the women who help pick up the contents of her purse, joy at seeing her beloved Kermit again, jealousy of Jenny. Could you show such a range of emotion in three minutes? I couldn’t.