For just over half a century now,
the iconic children’s educational show “Sesame Street” brought fun and taught
letters, numbers and more to many children all over the world. Such early
education on TV was made fun and enjoyable by the program’s cast of live actors
and Muppets, puppet characters ranging from small ones operated by hand from
behind and under walls and cover, to life-sized mascot suits manipulated by one
or more people. The most famous example of the latter type of Muppet is Big
Bird, the 8-foot tall anthropomorphic canary famously portrayed by Muppeteer Carroll
Spinney, who unfortunately passed away just this Sunday.
According to USA Today Carroll Spinney, longtime puppeteer for the “Sesame
Street” mascot character Big Bird, died at his Connecticut residence this past
December 8 at the age of 85 according to an official press release of the
Sesame Workshop. During his later years, Spinney has been living with the
neurological movement disorder of dystonia, which triggers random muscle
contractions resulting in twisting movements or uncomfortable fixed postures.
While the veteran Muppeteer managed to stay on the job as Big Bird (alternating
with others), he officially retired from the role in 2018 after recording
episodes for the 50th season of “Sesame Street” which aired 2019.
Joan Ganz Cooney, who co-founded “Sesame
Street” back in 1969, noted that Spinney made “countless contributions” to the
decades-long development and evolution of the children’s program, as he had
been on board with the production from the start. "He not only gave us Big
Bird and Oscar the Grouch, he gave so much of himself as well,” says Cooney. “We
at Sesame Workshop mourn his passing and feel an immense gratitude for all he
has given to Sesame Street and to children around the world.”
It was Carroll Spinney’s
portrayal that cemented the characterization of Big Bird for “Sesame Street.”
Despite being eight feet tall (achieved by Spinney raising his right hand over
his head to manipulate Big Bird’s head, beak and neck) the character is both
childlike and innocent, eager to learn more about the world around him and always
making friends with people he meets. Spinney was full performer for Big Bird
until 2015, when he was diagnosed with dystonia. From that point on, he
alternated with puppeteer Matt Fogel in voicing the character. Spinney received
puppet mentoring from Muppets creator Jim Henson, with the two becoming close
friends until Henson’s 1990 death.
"I always thought, how fortunate
for me that I got to play the two best Muppets?” Spinney remarked during his
2018 retirement announcement. “Before I came to Sesame Street, I didn’t feel
like what I was doing was very important. Big Bird helped me find my purpose.”
He is among the honorees for the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors, held Sunday, the
night of his passing.
0 comments:
Post a Comment