Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch puppeteer Caroll Spinney retiring after 50 years
Sesame Street’s Big Bird puppeteer Caroll Spinney is retiring from his role on the iconic show at the age of 84.
Spinney, who has voiced the lovable yellow character as well as Oscar the Grouch, has been on the show since inception in 1969 and will bid farewell after the 50th season.
In a statement, Spinney said: “Before I came to Sesame Street, I didn't feel like what I was doing was very important.
“Big Bird helped me find my purpose. Even as I step down from my roles, I feel I will always be Big Bird.
Long-time puppeteer Caroll Spinney has announced that he is stepping down from the roles of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Spinney is pleased that his iconic roles will be carried on by puppeteers Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson. Learn more: https://t.co/BALgkIPI5q pic.twitter.com/sGMDjqLklQ
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) 17 October 2018
"And even Oscar, once in a while! They have given me great joy, led me to my true calling – and my wonderful wife! – and created a lifetime of memories that I will cherish forever.”
Spinney, who was first discovered by the late The Muppets creator Jim Henson, will be handing over his Big Bird duties to Matt Vogel, the current Kermit the Frog.
Eric Jacobson, who currently voices Grover, Bert and Guy Smiley, will step into the role of Oscar the Grouch.
The star met his wife Debra on the set of the show in 1973. They married in 1979.
Spinney will still appear vocally in Sesame Street episodes through 2019 and 2020, airing on PBS in the US.