Caroll Spinney, Puppeteer Behind Big Bird And Oscar The Grouch, Passes Away At 85

Dec 09, 2019 by apost team

Caroll Spinney, the beloved puppeteer for 49 years on the television show "Sesame Street," has passed away after living with Dystonia for many years. Spinney passed at his home in Connecticut on Sunday, he was 85-years-old. 

Sesame Workshop released an announcement about his death calling the puppeteer an "artistic genius" who helped shape "Sesame Street" from its earliest days. "His legacy here at Sesame Workshop and in the cultural firmament will be unending," the press release read. 

"His enormous talent and outsized heart were perfectly suited to playing the larger-than-life yellow bird who brought joy to generations of children and countless fans of all ages around the world, and his lovably cantankerous grouch gave us all permission to be cranky once in a while."

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Spinney worked as Big Bird and Oscar from 1969 to 2018 until it became too physically demanding for him according to Variety. When Spinney was 19-years-old he joined the Air Force afterward he began working for "Bozo's Big Top" where he played many characters such as Kookie the Boxing Kangaroo and Mr. Lion. He eventually left the show and began working on "Sesame Street." 

Co-founder to "Sesame Street" Joan Ganz Cooney spoke about Spinney's contributions to the show. "He not only gave us Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, he gave so much of himself as well. We at Sesame Workshop mourn his passing and feel immense gratitude for all he has given to Sesame Street and to children around the world.”

Spinney is survived by his wife Debra, children and grandchildren.  Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time. Pass this article along so others may know of the iconic puppeteer's passing.