Wait! Now You’re Telling Me Big Bird Is Not Real Too?
On June 28, 2014
- TV History
Wait! Now You’re Telling Me Big Bird Is Not Real Too?
Sorry again! It’s really a man named Caroll Spinney. Actually, Mr. Spinney retired a few years back, but he was the original Big Bird and Oscar The Grouch.
Here’s an NPR interview with him…he’s 81 now. Enjoy and share!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1249919
My brother and I on the 30th anniversary special at Sony Music Studios
With Big Bird at Kaufman Astoria Studios, mid 90s
Mr. Spinney has not retired and still brings life & voice to Big Bird & Oscar !!
Dennis, did Rolf Wahl, the engineer at 55th St come with the show to Unitel from Reeves?
Yes, when Reeves closed Sesame St. shot at Unitel 55th.
Here’s Carroll and me in 1980 on the SS set:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdegan/4664175431/
It’s my old friend, Carroll Spinney! I remember seeing him ride to the studio on his bicycle. Since he wasn’t a ‘star’ worked hidden inside a giant yellow bird, he could travel anywhere around town without anyone knowing who he was! Spinney was the greatest.
Sorry but BIG BIRD & OSCAR are real! I do not believe your information!!
I was able to visit Reeves Teletape in ’70, to watch a Sesame Street taping, and watched all these guys in action. Spinny could barely see out, so there is a tiny monitor on his chest. He was looking down all the time! Believe they were using Marconi cameras there at the time,…
He is good friends with our Florida friends!
A ham radio friend of mine was audio on that show. In 1970 I was in high school and he invited me to go to the Teletape studios see the production of show #125. I watched Carroll Spinney resting his arm (BB’s neck) on a crew member’s neck between takes. Funny to see BB crying.
My friend actually got paid to do this. I immediately knew that this is what I wanted to do for my career. And it happened.
We taped Sesame Street at Unitel’s 55th Street Studio in the 80’s and early 90’s. Great people.