Carrol Spinney

Carrol Spinney (December 1, 1933 – December 8, 2019) was an American puppeteer, performer, and voice actor who became beloved by generations of children as the puppeteer behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on 'Sesame Street.' Born in Weston, Massachusetts, Spinney developed an early passion for puppetry and performance. He joined 'Sesame Street' in 1969 when the show premiered and remained with the program for nearly 50 years, making him one of the longest-serving cast members in television history. His portrayal of the 8-foot-2-inch Big Bird—an innocent, curious, and endearing character—became iconic in children's education and entertainment. The puppeteer brought remarkable depth to both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, creating distinct personalities and voices that resonated with audiences. Spinney received numerous accolades including Daytime Emmy Awards and was recognized as a pioneer in puppetry and educational television. His contributions to children's programming demonstrated that puppetry could be both artistically sophisticated and educationally valuable, influencing the medium for decades.