puppeteer | Common News Update

Puppeteer Caroll Spinney, who portrayed the beloved Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, including providing their voices, has died aged 85.The American died at his home in Connecticut on Saturday, according to a statement from the Sesame Workshop. It did not mention a cause of death, but said he had been living with dystonia - a muscle disorder - for some time.He voiced and operated both key characters in the popular children's TV show until he was well into his 80s.The statement paid tribute to "an artistic genius" with a "loving view of the world" that helped shape the long-running children's show over five decades, leaving behind a legacy that "will be unending". Advertisement ...

Puppeteer Caroll Spinney, famous for playing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street, is retiring at the age of 84.Spinney has portrayed the characters - including providing their voices - since the show's start in 1969.A statement from the puppeteer was tweeted on Sesame Street's official Twitter account."Before I came to Sesame Street, I didn't feel like what I was doing was important," he said."Big Bird helped me find my purpose,""Even as I step down from my roles, I feel I will always be Big Bird. And even Oscar, once in a while!," he added.Spinney developed a love for puppetry at the age of five after watching a performance of Three Little Kittens. He explored puppeteering throughout his childhood and teenage years and used his performances to...

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‘Artistic genius’: Big Bird puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies

Sesame Street's Big Bird puppeteer retires