Warrick Brownlow-Pike stands out as a unique figure in the world of Sesame Street – the only British Muppet performer to grace the iconic show. From a young age, inspired by the legendary Jim Henson, Brownlow-Pike harbored a dream to work with the Muppets on Sesame Street. This dream became a reality, and he has since made a significant contribution, most notably as the performer behind Gonger Sesame Street, the lovable food truck owner.
Brownlow-Pike’s journey with Sesame Street began in 2010 when Elmo’s visit to England required some puppeteering assistance. However, it was in The Furchester Hotel, a Sesame Workshop and CBeebies co-production, where he first brought Gonger to life as a background character. From these humble beginnings, Brownlow-Pike nurtured Gonger’s personality, guiding him from a hotel chef to the popular food truck entrepreneur viewers know and love on Sesame Street.
The Muppets of Sesame Street crowd together with a few friends to take a huge group photo.
His dedication to Gonger Sesame Street extended beyond performance. Brownlow-Pike conceived, wrote, and produced the pilot for “Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck.” This segment successfully premiered in Season 48 and remains a fan favorite. Furthermore, he showcased his talents as Gonger in Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Special, and has taken on various roles portraying monsters, humans, and animals throughout his time on the show.
Before his Sesame Street success, Brownlow-Pike built a strong foundation during 17 years with the BBC. He contributed as a puppeteer and content creator to many of their prominent puppet-based projects. For over 14 years, he has entertained children on CBeebies, the BBC’s preschool channel, with his original character, Dodge the Dog. Dodge has shared the stage with numerous celebrities and even performed for the Queen of England, showcasing Brownlow-Pike’s versatility and widespread appeal in children’s entertainment.
Warrick’s talents have also been recognized by Disney, where he worked as a UK Muppet Performer on Muppets Most Wanted. He continues to collaborate with the Disney Muppets whenever they are in the UK. A recent highlight includes assisting Kermit the Frog at the King’s Coronation concert, where he had the unique experience of sitting in the Royal box alongside the King of England.
Big Bird and family helping a child down a slide.
Beyond Sesame Street and Disney, Brownlow-Pike’s impressive portfolio includes performing Jobi in the BAFTA-winning Get Well Soon, CLOGS in the BBC’s educational program Bitesize, and Marion in BBC Three’s Mongrels. His collaboration with the Jim Henson Company extends to That Puppet Game Show and a significant role as second assistant Puppet Captain on the Emmy-winning The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, where he also performed the Chamberlain Skeksis.
His diverse credits range from satirical shows like Spitting Image to family-friendly events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has also contributed to BBC Comedy Proms, Ed and Oucho’s Excellent Inventions, Transmission Impossible, ITV’s This Morning, Blue Peter, The X Factor, All Over the Place, “Barkstage at The Voice with Hacker and Dodge,” Spot Bots, HackerTime, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, CBeebies Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Brownlow-Pike’s creativity extends to developing his own series. The BBC commissioned two of his original creations: Meaban & Moo, a Gaelic language learning series now in its third season, where he co-writes and performs as Meaban the Puffin; and Dodge’s Pup School, a preschool puppet comedy starring his popular character Dodge the Dog. He not only created, writes, and produces Dodge’s Pup School but also designed the puppet characters.
Further demonstrating his multifaceted talents, Brownlow-Pike created, produced, and co-wrote a concert featuring Hacker and Dodge with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. This concert was broadcast across all BBC radio stations on Christmas Day, along with a special episode featuring Dodge the Dog titled ‘Christmas in the CBeebies House’.
Warrick Brownlow-Pike’s journey is a testament to his passion and dedication to puppetry. His role as Gonger Sesame Street is just one highlight in a career filled with diverse and impressive achievements, making him a significant figure in children’s entertainment both in the UK and internationally.
