He was best known as Big Bird, and Caroll Spinney's contributions to Children's Television Workshop were priceless. He changed our world for the better and left an incredible legacy.
I can honestly say that Spinney was a great figure and a gentle giant in more ways than one. He was born in December 1933 in Waltham, Massachusetts, and met the creator of the Muppets Jim Henson at a festival in 1962. He was with Sesame Street from its very start in 1969 until his retirement in October 2018 and earned five Daytime Emmy Awards for his contributions to the iconic children's program. He also received a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2006.
I was able to meet him when I was assigned to produce a news segment on the 13th anniversary of Sesame Street. I took my daughter back after I was invited back by Lisa Simon and hed writer Norman Stiles. They allowed me to bring my daughters Natasha and Sabrina with me and we had the time of our lives.
https://cimages.me/sites/default/files/media/hear-and-now-and-second-su… Listen at 11:03
Since them, we've also lost Mr. Henson, Ms. Simon, Mr. Hooper, and life goes on...
While recently enjoying the 50th-anniversary special, I noticed Spinney's spark was fading and made that comment to my wife. Spinney, was also Oscar the Grouch, died at his home in Connecticut after living with dystonia for some time.
Caroll Spinney, Beloved Puppeteer Behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, Dies at 85 https://time.com/5746197/caroll-spinney-dies-85/?utm_source=twitter&utm…
Caroll Spinney, 'Sesame Street' Puppeteer Behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, Dead at 85 https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/caroll-spinney-apos-sesame-street-1…
Caroll Spinney, Big Bird Muppeteer for Nearly 50 Years, Dies at 85 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/caroll-spinney-dead-big-bird-mup…
