My sister wrote this and e-mailed it to me. I wasn't sure where else to post this but I had to share it
"YODA REVEALED"
-Reuters
After 25 years, he's ready to speak out.
"I was the real Yoda," Grover revealed on Saturday.
In a move that stunned some and surprised few, Grover the muppet exposed an open secret in Hollywood.
In the fall of 1979, he said, "I received a call from George Lucas. 'Hey, Grover,' he said, 'I'm thinking up this new character for the Star Wars sequel and I think you'd be terrific!'"
"He said I had almost the perfect voice for the part," Grover explained, "Plus, I was a puppet."
So why keep it secret?
"Look," said Grover, "the contract I signed with Children's Television Workshop made it very clear - 'No outside parts.' Nada. Something about 'maintaining the illusion' that we all really live on Sesame Street. I mean, that contract was worse than that one the kids over at American Idol have to sign. CTW's lawyers make 19 Entertainment's look like amateurs."
According to Grover, there were severe consequences for publicly going against the company.
"Blackballing, pure and simple," Grover revealed, "I mean, look what happened to Harry Monster. He went out for a commercial to play a mop - A MOP! for God's sake - and how often is he seen on Sesame Street today? Did you know Rawlph the Dog tried out for a Benji movie - was he in Muppets in Space, huh?"
What pushed Grover to buck the system? Frustration and anger at a part that got away.
"I was supposed to be the lead in Superman: The Movie. I was this close to signing a deal with Donner and everything. It would have been great," Grover sighed wistfully, "I mean, think about it, Supergrover as Superman - You will believe a muppet can fly! It would have been fantastic! But I got scared, scared about being blacklisted and never working again."
However, when George Lucas called, " I couldn't stand it anymore. I'm an actor, dammitt! I wanted to stretch myself (artistically, not physically). So I explained the situation to George. He was wonderful. 'Look,' he said, 'you'll be under so much make-up no one will know it's you. I want you for this part!' I couldn't resist!"
So why come forward now?
"Two reasons. First, beginning in the 90's, my Q rating on Sesame Street started dropping. It was always "Elmo this" and "Elmo that". Don't get me wrong, I love the kid. Changing tastes, ya know? And I'm not bitter - the pressure was off."
"Secondly, I took a long, hard look at W. Mark Felt's decision to come forward as Deep Throat. His family said that he deserved that recognition before he died. And ya know what, I do too. With this last sequel I feel like a chapter was coming to a closing in my life and I wanted to personally close the book."
What about those who insist Yoda was really played by someone known as "Frank OZ"?
"Yeah right," Grover laughed, "and Chewbacca was really played by a freakishly tall hospital orderly. Come on!"
Finally, asked if he has any regrets, Grover smiled.
"Nah, no regrets. I had the fame. I got to work with some of the best - Lucas, Christopher Lee, Kermit. I'm still at the top of my game on Street."
"And," he winked, "Lucas has been very generous with residuals and merchandising. I'm set for life."