“Caroll Spinney helped create the big yellow bird for PBS’ ‘Sesame Street’ in 1969, and he’s been playing the character ever since. . . And if that isn’t impressive enough, he’s also played Oscar the Grouch for the same number of years. Although Big Bird is an international star, Spinney, 81, has mostly remained hidden behind the feathers. But an Oscar season parody of the film ‘Birdman’ titled ‘Big Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Orange Pants),’ which went viral, and the new documentary ‘I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story’ (opening May 15) are finally giving the veteran puppeteer his due. And as ‘Sesame Street’ heads into its 46th season, he has no plans to retire.” More here.
