Blackbeard (born Edward Teach c. 1680-1718) was an English pirate who sailed the West Indies and the eastern American coast in the early 1700's. Blackbeard used his fearsome image, rather than violence, to elicit the desired response from those he robbed. After his death, his legend became romanticised, with multiple books and movies based on his adventures.

References

• In the Muppet Babies storybook Baby Gonzo's Treasure Hunt, Mr. Kreegle talks about his time working with Blackbeard on the Pacific Ocean, and specifically an adventure they had with a shark that stole Blackbeard's hat.

• In his book Before You Leap, Kermit talks about his ancestors, including Greenbeard the Pirate, "who is still widely admired by many amphibians for his unique ability to grow a beard."