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Original Big Bird retiring from ‘Sesame Street’ after nearly 50 years

In this April 10, 2008, file photo Lynn Finkel, stage manager for "Sesame Street" slates a taping with Big Bird in New York. The puppeteer who has played Big Bird on "Sesame Street" is retiring after nearly 50 years on the show. Caroll Spinney tells the New York Times that Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, will be his last day on the program, which he joined from the start in 1969. In addition to Big Bird, the 84-year-old was also Oscar the Grouch. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
In this April 10, 2008, file photo puppeteer Caroll Spinney is interviewed during a break from taping an episode of "Sesame Street" in New York. After nearly 50 years on the show Spinney is retiring. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who plays the roles of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street, arrives holding the Oscar the Grouch puppet at the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Friday, April 28, 2006. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
In this April 10, 2008 file photo, Big Bird reads to Connor Scott and Tiffany Jiao during a taping of Sesame Street in New York. The puppeteer who has played Big Bird on "Sesame Street" is retiring after nearly 50 years on the show. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
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The Associated Press
October 17, 2018 - 8:01 am
 

WOODSTOCK, Conn. — The puppeteer who has played Big Bird on “Sesame Street” is retiring after nearly 50 years on the show.

Caroll Spinney tells the New York Times that Thursday will be his last day on the program, which he joined from the start in 1969. In addition to Big Bird, the 84-year-old was also Oscar the Grouch.

Spinney says “I always thought, how fortunate for me that I got to play the two best Muppets?”

Spinney says the physical requirements of performing the characters had become difficult and he developed problems with his balance. He stopped doing the puppeteering for Big Bird in 2015 and now only provides the voices for him and Oscar.

His apprentice, Matt Vogel, will succeed him in the Big Bird role. He also plays Kermit the Frog.

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