You may not have known Caroll Spinney's name, but you definitely knew his work. The legendary puppeteer and actor brought the Sesame Street characters of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life for 50 years. Spinney retired from his role with Sesame Workshop last year after being diagnosed with dystonia, a movement disorder that can cause involuntary muscle contractions. Yesterday in a touching post, Sesame Workshop announced Spinney's death at the age of 85.

The press release announcement said that Spinney passed away on December 8, 2019, at his Connecticut home after living with the disease for "some time."

"Caroll was an artistic genius whose kind and loving view of the world helped shape and define Sesame Street from its earliest days in 1969 through five decades, and his legacy here at Sesame Workshop and in the cultural firmament will be unending. His enormous talent and outsized heart were perfectly suited to playing the larger-than-life yellow bird who brought joy to generations of children and countless fans of all ages around the world, and his lovably cantankerous grouch gave us all permission to be cranky once in a while."

During an interview with The New York Times in 1982, Spinney attributed his success as the super-sized bright yellow feathered bird to always being able to embrace his inner child. “I think most people completely forget what it was like being a kid by the time they grow up,” he said. “But I never got over it. It was almost a problem for me, in fact, trying to grow up enough, even when I went into the Air Force.”

His loss will definitely be felt not only by fans and viewers around the world but also by those who worked so closely with Spinney for so many years. "Caroll Spinney gave something truly special to the world," Sesame Workshop wrote. "With deepest admiration, Sesame Workshop is proud to carry his memory – and his beloved characters – into the future. Our hearts go out to Caroll’s beloved wife, Debra, and all of his children and grandchildren."

Sesame Street co-founder Joan Ganz Cooney echoed that sentiment stating that “Caroll Spinney’s contributions to Sesame Street are countless. He not only gave us Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, he gave so much of himself as well. 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.”

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