What’s truly amazing about this documentary is that, even as you watch Caroll Spinney painstakingly don the 4000 feathers and all the accompanying regalia necessary to become the iconic character, it’s still virtually impossible not to believe that Big Bird is real.
That’s both the genius of Spinney and the reason the beloved Sesame Street character has become an icon.
Caroll Spinney has been the heart and soul of Big Bird since the show’s inception in 1969. He’s now 81 and obviously still loving what he does, despite the fact that he’s had a stand-in waiting to take over for the past twenty years.
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story opens with Spinney’s 1971 appearance on the TV show, To Tell The Truth. Everyone knows who Big Bird is, of course, but the man inside? Not so much.
Obsessed with puppetry since he was a child, Spinney was encouraged by his mom to pursue his dream although he was bullied by his peers for “playing with dolls” and for his “feminine” name. His childhood was not filled with sunny days, and his run-ins with his abusive father motivated him to leave home and ultimately find a job with Bozo the Clown.
When he met Jim Henson, no one could have guessed it was a match that would change children’s lives for generations to come. Big Bird was originally created as a “country yokel” but Spinney turned him into a big kid that everyone could relate to.
It seemed the only one who didn’t appreciate Spinney’s work was his first wife, who divorced him when their son was only a year old. Distraught, he considered suicide and he almost quit the show.
These “Tears of a Clown” moments add a real poignancy to Spinney’s story and provide insight to the other character he’s made part of our collective consciousness: Oscar the Grouch.
One sobering fact that I didn’t know before was that Spinney was scheduled to fly on the Challenger to get children interested in the space program. Because it turned out there wasn’t room for Big Bird, teacher Christa McAuliffe took his place on the ill-fated flight.
I Am Big Bird is a love letter to Spinney – as it should be. We all know what happens when you diss Big Bird. Just ask Mitt Romney.
Watching I Am Big Bird is likely to bring back many memories, whether you watched Sesame Street as a child or with children of your own – and we owe Caroll Spinney a big thank you for that.
Because what the documentary proves, once and for all, is that it’s what’s — or, in this case, who’s — inside that really counts.
WoW, I didn’t realize that Sesame Street began in 1969. That was the year I graduated High School.
I grew up watching Sesame Street and Big Bird and Oscar were always my favorite. Who could resist a grouch? I had no idea that the man behind Big Bird was the same person who’s behind Oscar as well. I would love to see this.
Wow. I grew up with the street version of Sesame Street (at least what I can remember). Later it became a bit more sanitized. Interesting back story on this fascinating man and icon.
Sesame Street was groundbreaking in its day.
I loved Sesame Street as a child and my brother loved it too. Then I also loved it when I could share it with my own kids. These shows are simply timeless. What a cold story this person who has played Big Bird all this time has to share.
Sesame Street was my fave and all of my kids loved it too. We saw many a live show too. It’s interesting to hear the history behind Big Bird.
Wow, Sesame Street has been around for years. Such a great show.
Oh how I loved sesame street as a kid. I wish my kids were into it. It’s such a great show for kids. This is great. Love big bird