Caroll Spinney: Sesame Street's Big Bird puppeteer dies
- Published
Caroll Spinney with Oscar the Grouch
US puppeteer Caroll Spinney, famous for playing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on children's TV show Sesame Street, has died at the age of 85.
He passed away at his home in Connecticut after living with dystonia for some time, a Sesame Workshop statement said, external.
He had retired last year at the age of 84.
Spinney had portrayed the characters - including providing their voices - since the show's start in 1969.
"Caroll was an artistic genius whose kind and loving view of the world helped shape and define Sesame Street from its earliest days in 1969 through five decades, and his legacy here at Sesame Workshop and in the cultural firmament will be unending," the statement said.
He had previously spoken of the show's importance to his life.
"Before I came to Sesame Street, I didn't feel like what I was doing was important," he said. "Big Bird helped me find my purpose."
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Spinney developed a love for puppetry at the age of five after watching a performance of Three Little Kittens.
He explored puppeteering throughout his childhood and teenage years and used his performances to raise money for college tuition.
After serving in the US Air Force, Spinney performed as a professional puppeteer in Las Vegas and Boston in the 1950s and 1960s, eventually meeting Muppets creator Jim Henson, who also starred in Sesame Street.
Spinney later joined the cast for the show's inaugural series in 1969.
Caroll Spinney (L) pictured on set with Jim Henson
Spinney's work on the children's programme has earned him two Grammy honours and six Emmy awards, plus a Lifetime Achievement Emmy award which he received in 2006.
The puppeteer also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994 and the Library of Congress' Living Legends award in 2000.
His life and career have been documented in the widely acclaimed 2014 film, I Am Big Bird.
And perhaps one of his greatest achievements was meeting his wife of 40 years, Debra, on the Sesame Street set in 1973.
Spinney brings Big Bird to life
"His genius and his talent made Big Bird the most beloved yellow feathered friend across the globe," said Joan Ganz Cooney, co-founder of the Sesame Workshop.
Follow us on Facebook, external, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, external, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents, external. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
- Published17 October 2018
- Published18 September 2018
- Published26 May 2018
- Published20 March 2017
- Published11 February 2016
