the man who gave ernie his voice and spread peanut butter on museum floors
Amsterdam, maandag, 15 juni 2026.
Wim T. Schippers, the Dutch artist and television maker behind some of the country’s most surreal comedy, has died at 83 in Amsterdam. He shaped generations through groundbreaking TV shows like De Fred Haché Show and Hoepla, where he pushed boundaries with absurd humour and bold visuals. Many know him as the longtime voice of Ernie from Sesamstraat, bringing warmth to children across the Netherlands. His creative reach extended beyond television. One of his most famous art pieces, the Pindakaasvloer, transformed museum spaces with over 1,100 liters of peanut butter. This blend of playfulness and provocation defined his career. Schippers remained active well into later life, with his foundation established in 2024 to preserve his artistic legacy. His death marks the end of a unique chapter in Dutch cultural history.
a surrealist pioneer passes
Wim T. Schippers died on June 10, 2026, in Amsterdam at the age of 83 [1]. His foundation confirmed the news five days later [2]. Schippers was a central figure in Dutch experimental art and television [1]. He helped shape the nation’s cultural landscape during the second half of the twentieth century [1]. His work blended absurdism with sharp social commentary [2]. Generations grew up watching his programs and hearing his voices on screen and radio [1]. His influence stretched far beyond entertainment.
from fluxus to mainstream fame
Schippers began his career in the late 1950s as part of the Dutch Fluxus movement [2]. He organized avant-garde actions such as the Mars Door Amsterdam in 1962 [2]. His early performances challenged traditional views of art [2]. By the 1960s and 1970s, he transitioned into television with shows like Hoepla and De Fred Haché Show [1]. These programs featured radical humor and boundary-pushing content [2]. One episode included the first nude woman broadcast on Dutch television [1]. His comedic characters, including Sjef van Oekel, became national icons [2].
the voice behind beloved characters
Many Dutch viewers knew Schippers best as the voice of Ernie from Sesamstraat [1]. He voiced the character for decades [2]. He also lent his voice to Kermit the Frog, Count von Count, and other Muppet figures [1]. Alongside Paul Haenen, who voiced Bert, he wrote numerous children’s songs [1]. His vocal performances brought joy to families nationwide [2]. Even in later years, people approached him in public because of Ernie [2]. “I still get recognized, often by young parents who watched as kids,” he once said [2].
art that defied convention
One of Schippers’ most famous artworks is the Pindakaasvloer (Peanut Butter Floor) [2]. First realized in various sizes, it covered floors with a thick layer of peanut butter [2]. A 2011 installation at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen measured 4 by 15 meters and contained over 1,100 liters of peanut butter [2]. The piece blurred lines between art, food, and sensory experience [2]. It exemplified his playful yet provocative approach [1]. Critics interpreted it as both humorous and deeply conceptual [GPT]. The artwork remains emblematic of his unconventional vision [1].
a lasting legacy preserved
The Stichting Wim T. Schippers was founded in 2024 to safeguard his body of work [1]. Its mission includes archiving his television productions, scripts, and visual art [2]. The foundation ensures future access to his creative contributions [1]. Schippers continued creating until shortly before his death [1]. He reflected openly on mortality in interviews [2]. “As long as there’s mess at home, I won’t go,” he remarked recently [2]. His funeral took place privately [1]. Tributes have poured in from cultural institutions across the Netherlands [1].