Caroll Spinney
American puppeteer (1933–2019)
Caroll Edwin Spinney (December 26, 1933 – December 8, 2019) was an American puppeteer, songwriter, radio host, and speaker.[1] He was known for playing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street.
Caroll Spinney | |
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![]() Spinney at the New York Comic Con in Manhattan in October 2010 | |
Born | Caroll Edwin Spinney December 26, 1933 Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Died | December 8, 2019 Woodstock, Connecticut, U.S. | (aged 85)
Other names | Ed Spinney |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1955–2018 |
Known for | Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch |
Spouse(s) |
Janice Spinney
(m. 1960; div. 1971)Debra Jean Gilroy
(m. 1979–2019) |
Children | 3 |
Website | Official website |
Signature | |
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He announced his retirement from acting in October 2018, with his last performances airing on the show's 50th season special.[2]
Spinney died at his home in Woodstock, Connecticut, on December 8, 2019, at the age of 85.[3] He had dystonia, a neurological disorder, at the time of his death.[4]
References
change- ↑ Stephenson, Kathy; Horiuchi, Vince. "Q is for 'quiz': Celebrating 40 years of 'Sesame Street'". The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 November 2009.
- ↑ Itzkoff, Dave (October 17, 2018). "Original Big Bird, Caroll Spinney, Leaves 'Sesame Street' After Nearly 50 Years". The New York Times. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ↑ McFadden, Robert D. (December 8, 2019). "Caroll Spinney, Big Bird's Alter Ego on 'Sesame Street,' Is Dead at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ↑ "Remembering Legendary Puppeteer Caroll Spinney". Sesame Workshop. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.