Oscar the Grouch is one of the most iconic characters on Sesame Street. With his grumpy attitude and love for trash, he has captured the hearts of children and adults alike. But there’s more to this green puppet than meets the eye. Here are 10 wacky facts you probably don’t know about Oscar the Grouch.
From his surprising origins to his secret society and famous relatives, there’s more to this grumpy puppet than meets the eye. Prepare to be amazed and entertained as we reveal the hidden side of Oscar the Grouch that you never knew existed. So, buckle up and let’s explore the wacky facts that will surely leave you astonished.
He Was Originally Orange
Believe it or not, Oscar the Grouch was originally orange. In the first season of Sesame Street, he was designed to be a grumpy, trash-loving character, but the creators felt that orange was too bright and changed him to green. However, some early merchandise still featured Oscar in his original orange color.
He Has A Girlfriend
While Oscar may seem like a loner, he actually has a girlfriend named Grundgetta. She is also a grouch and they have been together since the 1980s. They even got married in a 1991 episode of Sesame Street.
He Has A Cousin Named Irvine
In the 1980s, a new character named Irvine was introduced as Oscar’s cousin. He was also a grouch, but he was blue instead of green. However, he didn’t stick around for long and hasn’t been seen on the show since the 1990s.
He Was Almost Named Harold
Before settling on the name Oscar, the creators of Sesame Street considered naming the character Harold. However, they ultimately decided on Oscar because it sounded more grouchy.
He Has A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
In 2002, Oscar the Grouch received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the first Sesame Street character to receive this honor.
He Has A Soft Side
While Oscar may seem grumpy and mean, he actually has a soft side. He has a pet worm named Slimey who he loves and cares for. He even wrote a song for Slimey called “I Love Trash.”
He Has A Cousin Named Moishe Oofnik
In Israel, Oscar has a cousin named Moishe Oofnik who lives in a trash can on a street called Rechov Sumsum. He is also a grouch and has a pet elephant named Kippi.
He Has A Famous Relative
Oscar’s cousin Moishe Oofnik is not the only famous relative he has. In a 2009 episode, it was revealed that Oscar is actually the nephew of Santa Claus.
He Has A Secret Society
In the 1990s, Oscar formed a secret society called the “Grouchketeers.” The members of this society were other grouches who lived in different trash cans around Sesame Street.
He Has A Soft Spot For Cookies
While Oscar may not seem like the type to enjoy sweets, he actually has a soft spot for cookies. In a 2007 episode, he even shared a cookie with Cookie Monster and admitted that he loves them.
Now that you know these wacky facts about Oscar the Grouch, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of this grumpy puppet. Did any of these facts surprise you? Let us know in the comments.
