Joe Kovacs (born December 15, 1967), is a puppeteer and actor. In 1998 and 1999, Kovacs played Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House in promotional appearances. He then went on to play Bear in the Bear in the Big Blue House Live to a vocal track recorded by Noel MacNeal. Kovacs is currently the man behind Madame, the creation of the late Wayland Flowers. Madame also appeared as a guest on VH1's, I Love the 70s. Kovacs other work includes creating puppets and costumes for the Center for Puppetry Arts, The Actors Theatre of Louisville, and The Cincinnati Children's Theatre.