Meet the Man Behind Sesame Street‘s Big Bird

1 minute read
Caroll Spinney takes a break from shooting a cameo in The Muppet Movie.Courtesy Debra Spinney
By Joseph C. Lin

The documentary I Am Big Bird, out on May 6 in theaters, VOD and iTunes, takes a look at the life of Caroll Spinney, the man who has brought life to Sesame Street‘s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since the first season of the show in 1969.

Take a look back at the legendary puppeteer’s career playing these iconic characters.

Caroll Spinney joined Sesame Street in its inaugural 1969 season playing both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.Courtesy Robert Fuhring
In the first year of Sesame Street, Oscar the Grouch was orange.Courtesy Debra Spinney
Caroll Spinney and Jim Henson are seen on the set of Sesame Street in 1969, the first year of the show.Courtesy Bill Pierce
Caroll Spinney with Oscar the Grouch and Picklepuss, one of his first puppet creations.Courtesy Debra Spinney
Caroll Spinney tests a puppet in the concept stage.Courtesy Debra Spinney
Caroll Spinney filming Big Bird in China with Lisa Ouyang.Courtesy Debra Spinney
Caroll Spinney with his children and Oscar the Grouch at his child's birthday party.Courtesy Debra Spinney
Caroll Spinney and Oscar the Grouch shooting Sesame Street in Hawaii.Courtesy Gary Miller
Caroll Spinney takes a break from shooting a cameo in The Muppet Movie.Courtesy Debra Spinney
Caroll Spinney with First Lady Hillary Clinton on Sesame Street. Spinney has worked with all the first ladies since the Nixon administration.Courtesy Sesame Workshop
Caroll Spinney is seen with First Lady Michelle Obama. Spinney is a distant cousin of President Barack Obama.Courtesy Richard Termine—Sesame Workshop
Caroll Spinney performs on a recent season of Sesame Street and continues to perform as Big Bird and Oscar to this day.Courtesy Copper Pot Pictures

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