NPR

After 50 Years On 'Sesame Street,' The Voice Of Big Bird And Oscar Is Retiring

Caroll Spinney, 84, has performed the roles since the show's very first episode. "I will always be Big Bird," he said. "And even Oscar, once in a while!"
Caroll Spinney and Oscar the Grouch at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2007. After some 50 years on <em>Sesame Street,</em> Spinney is retiring.

It's the end of an era on Sesame Street: The man who has given voice and life to Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch for nearly 50 years is hanging up his big orange legs.

Caroll Spinney, 84, has performed the roles since the show's very first episode in 1969. He had met Jim Henson at a puppetry festival

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