Caroll Spinney

 CAROLL   EDWIN   SPINNEY  ( born December 26th, 19 33 ) has performed both  OSCAR THE GROUCH  & BIG BIRD on  SESAME STREET  for 45 years. In a 2008  Washington Time s  article, Spinney said that even though performing BIG BIRD is physically demanding work , the 8 1 - y ear - old has no intention of stopping , say in g , " I can ' t imagine willingly walk ing away from BIG BIRD &  OSCAR  . " He has describe d his experience as BIG BIRD as " a l o t like growing up to be Mickey Mouse . . . only taller ! "

Spinney was born in Waltham, MA & was an accomplished artist before he started working as a live performer. He attended The Art Institute o f Boston ' s College o f Art & Design. While in t he military, he created a comic strip under t he name Ed Spinney. In the early 1960s he created an animated cartoon series called  Crazy   Crayon  under the same name.

I n 1955, Spinney headed to Las Vegas , Nevada , where he create d the show  Rascal Rabbit . He returned to Boston in 1958, appearing in the summer series  The   Judy   &   Goggle Show  as a puppeteer opposite Judy Valentine , performing Goggle t he bird.

When  Judy   &   Goggle  was moved out of it s slot for station WHDH - T V ' s returning programming, both Spinney & Valentine were offered a berth on the Boston broadcast of  Bozo 's Big Top  in 19 59. Spinney played a variety o f hand - puppet creations, usually in 1 - off s kit s , & also played Bozo 's grand mother Grandma Nellie ( in full clown - ma ke - up ) & several recurring costumed characters. These included Flip - Flop the Rag Doll, Kookie Kangaroo ( a fail ed box e r ) , & Mr. Lion, " the fast es t draw a live . " The latter role combined Spinney ' s performing & cartoonist s kill s , creating quick sketches for the ki ds.

In the 1960 s, Spinney created 2 cat puppets , Pickle puss & Pop , who he performed i n various venue s , including stage shows & some  Bozo  broadcast s. Picklepuss & Pop would later go on to perform with the Muppets just once, in the 1988  Jim Henson  Play - Along video ''[http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Wow,_You're_a_Cartoonist! Wow, You ' re a Cartoon i s t ! ]'' . In 1 9 69, Spinney met Jim Henson  at the Puppeteers ' of A m e r i c a Festival i n Salt Lake City , following an ambitious experimental presentation ( hosted by Picklepuss ) , which combine d different live - puppetry technique s with film projections. The show went awry due to various technical issues & other problems, but afterwards , Henson  told him that  he  " liked what you were  trying  to d o . "  Henson  then asked Spinney if he wanted to work with him on a new  chil dren ' s show  be in g developed. Caroll went on to star a s t he man behind both  OSCAR THE GROUCH  & BIG BIRD.

A s BIG BIRD, Spinney traveled the world - - in the TV special s  BIG   BIRD  i n China &  BIG   BIRD  i n Japan , & in special  SESAME STREET  episodes that took him to New Mexico & Hawaii. He has also starred in a feature film, Follow That  BIRD .

Spinney has guest starred as his c h a r ac ter s on many other program s, including The Flip Wilson Show , Scrubs , Mister Rogers ' Neighborhood , 1 vs 100 , The Muppet Show , & over 141 episode s o f Holly wood Square s.

Spinney wrote an autobiography in 2003 titled The  WISDOM  o f  BIG   BIRD  ( & the Dark  GENIUS  o f  OSCAR   THE   GROUCH  ) : Lessons from a Life in  FEATHERS . Caroll Spinney also wrote & illustrate d   How to be a  GROUCH , a 1976 picture book that explain s the world from  OSCAR  ' s point o f view. Spinney also drew the picture o f [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Hooper Mr. Hooper ] that BIG BIRD dr e w after [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Hooper Mr. Hooper ] die d, & designed 1 of his characters ,  BRUNO THE TRASH MAN  , the character who always carried  OSCAR  in his   TRASH CAN  when  OSCAR  had to b e carried some place. Spinney also perform s the voice of GRANNY BIRD, BIG BIRD ' s grandmother & favorite relative. The puppet used for GRANNY BIRD is actually a spare BIG BIRD puppet, & Spinney provide s her voice. Al so, as GRANNY BIRD ' s appearances are most often alongside BIG BIRD , ( who i s also , a s she state d , her " favorite grand son " ) , her voice is usually p re - record ed , letting Spinney perform BIG BIRD. His artwork was featured in a 2010/2011 exhibit at Toon Se um. A new documentary about Spinney titled  I  Am  BIG   BIRD  : The  CAROLL   SPINNEY  Story premiered in Spring 2013.

Spinney currently reside s in Wood s tock, Connecticut , w / his w ife , Debra. The couple h as 3 children.

Muppeteer Credit s

 *  SE SAME STREET  : BIG BIRD ( 1 9 6 9 - pre sent ),  OSCAR THE GROUCH  ( 19 6 9 - present ) , GRANNY BIRD ,  Bruno the Trash man  ,  BIG   BIRD  (  animate d  ) , ( T h e  Street  W e L i ve On ) ,  OSCAR   THE   GROUCH  ( animate d ) ( Th e S t r e e t W e Li v e On ) , Baby Monster ( 1 9 69 ) , Bennett Snerf ( Anything Muppet version ) , Hip pie , Lefty the Salesman ( occasion all y ) , Shivers the Penguin ( early 8 0 s ) , Squeaky the Elf , Yellow Submarine Pumpkin pilot , Granny Fanny Nesselrode , various Anything Muppet characters
 * W ow, You ' re a Cartoon ist ! : Picklepuss & Pop
 * Christ mas Eve on  Sesame   Street  :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 * The Muppet Movie :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 * The Great Muppet Caper :  Oscar the Grouch 
 * The Muppet s Take Manhattan :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 * Follow That  Bird  :  Oscar the Grouch , Big Bird &  Bruno the Trash man 
 * A Muppet Family Christ mas :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 *  SESAME   STREET  : 2 0 & Still  Count  ing :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 * Jim Henson ' s memorial service : Himself & as both  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 * The Muppets Celebrate  Jim   Henson  : Big Bird
 *  Elmo  Save s Christ mas :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 *  The Adventure s of  Elmo  in  GROUCH  land  :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 * Friend s to t he Rescue :  Oscar the Grouch , Big Bird & Granny Bird
 *  Elmo  ' s Chris t mas  Count  dow n :  Oscar the Grouch  & Big Bird
 * The Muppets : Operation S T S ( Save the Swamp ) :  Oscar the Grouch  ( maybe )
 * You can also see Big Bird Filmography &  Oscar the Grouch  Filmography  for a l l other film s, guest appearance s & special s.

Awards & Honors
 Dates Unknown  1994 2000 2006 2007
 * Spinney has earned 4 Daytime Emmy Awards, 2 Gold Records , & 2 Grammy Awards.
 * A s Big Bird, Spinney was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
 * A s Big Bird, Spinney was awarded the Library of Congress Living Legend Award in April 2000 . According to the Library o f Congress web site , " the award is selected by the Library 's curators & subject specialist s to honor artists , writer s  , activist s , film maker s , physicians , entertainers , sports figures & public servants who have made significant contributions to Am eri ca ' s diverse cultural , scientific & social heritage . "
 * Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award
 * Outstanding Performer In A Chil dren ' s S e r i e s ( t i e ) :, Spinney a s  Oscar the Grouch  & Kevin Clash  a s Elmo ( tran script )

T V / Movie s / Special s

 *  SE SAME STREET  ( 1 969 - present )


 * Episode 0131 ( 1 970 )
 * Episode 2483 ( 1 9 88 )
 * Episode 2485 ( 1 9 88 )
 * Episode 2977 ( 1 99 2 )
 * Episode 3158 ( 1 99 3 )
 * Episode 3656 ( 1 99 7 )
 * Episode 3664 ( 1 99 7 )
 *  EPISODE 3698  ( 1 99 8 )
 * Episode 3699 ( 1 99 8 )
 * Episode 3790 ( 1 99 8 ) ( Matt Vogel  operating the Big Bird puppet to a vocal track b y Caroll Spinney )
 * Episode 3797 ( 1 99 8 )
 * Episode 3831 ( 1 99 9 ) ( Matt Vogel  operating the Big Bird puppet to a vocal track b y Caroll Spinney )
 * Episode 3845 ( 1 999 )
 * Episode 3863 ( 2 000 )
 * Episode 38 66 ( 2 000 )
 * Episode 3879 ( 2 000 )
 * Episode 3 9 5 8 ( 2 00 1 ) ( re peat of 37 9 0 ( 1 99 8 ) ) ( Matt Vogel  operating the Big Bird puppet to a vocal track by  Caroll   Spinney  )
 * Episode 3986 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 3991 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 3992 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 3995 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 3996 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 3 99 7 ( 2 002 ) (  Matt Vogel  operating the Big Bird puppet to a vocal track by  Caroll   Spinney ) 
 * Episode 3998 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 4004 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 4030 ( 2 00 2 )
 * Episode 4057 ( 2 00 4 )
 * Episode 4065 ( 2 00 4 )
 * Episode 4081 ( 2 00 4 )
 * Episode 4131 ( 2 00 6 )
 * Episode 4141 ( 2 00 7 )
 * Episode 4142 ( 2 00 7 )
 * Episode 4181 ( 2 00 8 )
 * Episode 4253 ( 2 010 )
 * Episode 4266 ( 2 0 11 )
 * Christ mas Eve on  SESAME   STREET  ( 1978 )
 * A Special  SESAME   STREET  Christ mas ( 1978 )
 *  DON ' T  Eat the P i c t u r e s ( 19 83 )
 *  BIG   BIRD  in China ( 1 9 83 )
 * Follow That  BIRD  ( 1985 )
 * The Muppets : A Celebration of 30 Years ( 1 986 )
 *  SESAME   STREET  Home Video Visit s t he Hospital ( 1 99 1 )
 *  SESAME   STREET  Home Video Visits the F i r e house ( 1 99 1 )
 *  Elmo  Save s Christ mas (1 99 6 )
 * Quiet Time ( 1 99 7 )
 * Learning to Share ( 1 99 7 )
 *  Elmo  palooza (1998 )
 *  The Adventures of  Elmo  in  GROUCH  land  ( 1 999 )
 * What ' s the Name of That Song? ( 2 00 4 )
 * A Celebration of  Me ,  Grover  ( 2 00 4 )

Books

 *  Sesame   Street  ( comic book ) ( 1970s - present )
 *  Oscar  's Book  ( 1975 )
 *  How to Be a  Grouch  ( 1 9 76 )
 *  Ernie  ' s Work of Art ( 1979 )
 *  A Day in the Life of Oscar the Grouch  ( 1981 )
 *  Oscar  ' s  Rotten  Birthday  ( 1 981 )
 *  Bert  & the Missing Mop Mix - Up ( 1983 )
 *  Count  All the Way to  Sesame   Street  ( 1 985 )
 *  A  Grouch  ' s Christ mas  ( 1 990 )
 *  Big   Bird  Plays the Violin ( 1990 )
 *  BIG   BIRD  Is  Yellow  ( 1 99 0 )
 *  BIG   BIRD  at Home ( 2 0 11 )
 *  SESAME   STREET  color i n g books ( Sony ) ( 2010 s )

Audio

 * Camping in Canada ( 1981 )

Songs
from Ki ds ' Favorite Song s 2 ( album )
 * J us t Three Co lo rs ( 1 9 7 2 )
 * Simple Song ( 1 972 )
 * Singing in the Shower ( 1 9 86 )
 * If You ' re Happy & You Know It ( 2 00 1 )

SESAME STREET Live

 * Around the World ( 1983 )
 * Save Our  STREET  ( 1 9 8 5 - 1 9 8 6 ; 1 9 8 6 - 1 9 8 7 )
 * Silly Dancing ( 1 9 8 9 )
 * When I Grow U p ( 1993 - 1994 ; 1995 - 1996 )
 *  Elmo  ' s C o l o r i n g Boo k ( 1 99 7 )
 * When  Elmo  Grow s U p ( 2 00 7 )
 *  Elmo  ' s  GREEN  Thumb ( 2 00 8 )

Caroll Spinney / Marty Robinson Muppet Pairings

 * Big Bird / Snuffy
 * Big Bird / Telly Monster
 * Big Bird /  Mrs. Grouch 
 * Big Bird /  Gary Grouch 
 * Big Bird /  Slimey 
 * Big Bird / Rocky ( cat )
 * Big Bird / Buster the Horse
 * Big Bird / Shelley the Turtle
 * Big Bird / Monty
 *  Oscar the Grouch  / Telly Monster
 *  Oscar the Grouch  / Snuffy
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Slimey 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Fluffy 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Walter Cranky 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Donald Grump 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Irvine 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Mrs . Grouch 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  S cram - I - Am 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Romeo Scuggs 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  /  Mr . Greasemonkey 
 *  Oscar the Grouch  / Tan colored Grouch   Explorer
 *  Oscar the Grouch  / Buster the Horse
 *  Oscar the Grouch  / Sullivan
 *  Oscar the Grouch  / Monty
 * Granny Bird / Snuffy ( soon )
 * Granny Bird / Tell y Monster ( soon )
 * Granny Bird /  Mrs . Grouch  ( soon )
 *  Bruno the Trash man / The orange - haired singer of Bruno  &  the Trash men
 *  Bruno the Trash man  / Telly Monster

Muppeteer veteran  Matt Vogel  can be heard & seen taking Caroll Spinney ' s place in 3 of these pairing s :


 * Big Bird / Snuffy
 * Big Bird / Telly Monster
 * Big Bird / Old MacDonald

Caroll Spinney / Pam Arciero Muppets Pairings

 *  OSCAR THE GROUCH  /  GRUNDGETTA 
 *  OSCAR THE GROUCH  / Nani Bird ( soon )
 * BIG BIRD /  GRUNDGETTA 
 * BIG BIRD / Nani Bird
 * BIG BIRD / Pammy
 * GRANNY BIRD / Nani Bird
 * GRANNY BIRD /  GRUNDGETTA  ( soon )

External l ink s

 * Official site
 * Official Fansite
 * Fansite
 * NPR Interview
 * Tribute song to  CAROLL   SPINNEY 
 * New Yorker inter view with  CAROLL   SPINNEY 
 *  SESAME  Workshop Blog : An Interview with  SESAME   STREET  ' s  CAROLL   SPINNEY 
 * CAROLL SPINNEY on IMDb
 * Red dit " Ask  ME   ANY THING  " with  CAROLL   SPINNEY