After stealing the spotlight in 1979’s The Muppet Movie and evolving from a background puppet into a marquee attraction on The Muppet Show, Miss Piggy was primed for a leading role in the ensemble’s sophomore cinematic feature, The Great Muppet Caper. In this caper, Kermit and Fozzie appear as investigative journalists hunting for a diamond thief, while Piggy portrays the receptionist to fashion titan Lady Holiday—a case of mistaken identity she gleefully exploits to maintain a charade for much of the film.
The screenplay provided Piggy with iconic moments, ranging from a lavish synchronized swimming fantasy to an action-packed jailbreak that culminates in a high-speed motorcycle pursuit. While the legendary Frank Oz is the soul behind Piggy’s magnetic persona, executing that high-octane motorcycle chase required a professional stunt performer. For the film’s 45th anniversary, Kenyan-born actor and stunt veteran Kiran Shah sat down with Polygon to discuss the unique thrill of stepping into the diva’s shoes.
3
Collaborating with Jim Henson and Frank Oz
Following James Frawley’s direction on the first film, Jim Henson opted to take the director’s chair for The Great Muppet Caper. Yet, balancing his debut feature wasn’t enough; he was simultaneously molding his next dark fantasy epic, The Dark Crystal, alongside co-director Frank Oz. It was during this period of intense creative output that the duo crossed paths with the 4-foot-2-inch Shah, presenting him with a rare opportunity.
“I was deep in pre-production for The Dark Crystal, rehearsing various characters,” Shah explains. “One day, Jim and Frank approached me with a proposal: they wanted me to serve as Miss Piggy’s stunt double. I didn’t hesitate; I accepted immediately.”
Reflecting on the experience, Shah recalls the atmosphere on set during both productions. “Jim was exceptionally composed,” he notes. “Both he and Frank possessed such a calm demeanor. Because they were master performers themselves, they understood the physical toll of wearing those suits. They were incredibly empathetic and easy to work with.”
Image: Disney2
Stepping into the Silver Suit
The stunt required Shah to navigate a motorcycle while clad in a silver bodysuit, ending in a dramatic leap. Though the mechanics were straightforward, the experience was far from comfortable.
“The costume wasn’t bespoke; it wasn’t made for my measurements, but I managed to make it work. It was a blast,” says Shah. “I donned the iconic Miss Piggy head, which lacked any animatronic internals. To maintain vision while filming the stunt, we actually cut a small viewing hole in the eye of the mask on the side hidden from the camera’s perspective.”
1
Frank Oz’s Guidance
Because Frank Oz had so masterfully cultivated Piggy’s persona, he provided Shah with essential direction to capture the essence of the Muppet diva.
“There is a very specific ‘Piggy walk’—it’s the walk of a refined lady,” Shah notes. “Frank’s most important piece of advice to me was simple: move slowly.”
Source: Polygon
