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Caroll Spinney

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Caroll Spinney
Spinney at the New York Comic Con in Manhattan in October 2010
Born
Caroll Edwin Spinney

(1933-12-26)December 26, 1933
DiedDecember 8, 2019(2019-12-08) (aged 85)
Other namesEd Spinney
Occupations
  • Puppeteer
  • cartoonist
  • author
  • speaker
Years active1955–2018
Known forBig Bird and Oscar the Grouch
Spouse(s)
Janice Spinney
(m. 1960; div. 1971)

Debra Jean Gilroy
(m. 1979⁠–⁠2019)
Children3
WebsiteOfficial website
Signature

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.

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 | change source]
  1. Stephenson, Kathy; Horiuchi, Vince. "Q is for 'quiz': Celebrating 40 years of 'Sesame Street'". The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 November 2009.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. "Remembering Legendary Puppeteer Caroll Spinney". Sesame Workshop. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.

Other websites

[change | change source]