Caroll Spinney: Being Big Bird | TODAY

TODAY contributing correspondent Jenna Bush Hager sits down with Caroll Spinney, better known as Big Bird, the role he’s been playing since the first days of “Sesame Street” in 1969.
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Caroll Spinney: Being Big Bird | TODAY

[@maddluv123]

Rest easy, Carroll Spinney. Thank you for bringing Big Bird and Oscar to all of us and making our childhood memorable.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

I just realized remember him being Bob McGrath diad same thing to

[@onenonlyprincess2]

gives me chills knowing that 30 years ago we would have lost big bird, but still he is one amazing bird

[@ofyxtiictic9924]

Princess Strickland ikr

[@montybrooks8863]

Princess Strickland 5 @

[@kiddomoroll]

This man made my childhood awesome

[@rachelames5894]

ID watched sesame street when id was a kid long time ago! :)

[@gumdropw2366]

Shiny Skies same

[@latoniaturner9383]

Shiny Skies $$$$$$$$$$$$1# s5bfjhbjjtkl

[@Los_HermanitosCruz]

Shiny Skies yep

[@barrymonroy7138]

Shiny Skies You said it😆

[@fredtaylor9506]

RIP Caroll Spinney. Part of my childhood. I’m 35.

[@heru-deshet359]

I'll never forget the episode when Mr. Hooper's death (when Will Lee had really died) had to be explained to Big Bird. It tore me up.

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

That was major! I'm so thankful they faced that head on.

[@moogiealways3016]

How will we continue in this Universe without Caroll Spinney? My heart is shattered.

[@jospantostado5406]

They'll have to find a way dude, Big Bird can't die.

[@amaimonpheles8]

It's Matt Vogel hand picked by Caroll Spinney and he said that Matt is very talented which is he is he voice Count, Big Bird, and extras at the muppets uncle Deadly, Constantine, extras, many more and also kermit the frog (which is voice similar to big bird when talking but kermit when singing to kermit's froggy throat)

[@Asukenick]

So sad he died. One of the best things he did was introduce Steve Whitmire to Jim Henson.

[@ZICOSMUSICBOX]

RIP Caroll Spinney Thank you for the pure childhood memories and the joy you bring us 🙏

[@leannaboyle6836]

I just found out yesterday that he passed away after he retired due to being stricken with dystonia. My first encounter with Big Bird and Oscar was when I was 2 years old and saw Sesame Street on tv.

[@Camop-iz9kt]

RIP Caroll Spinney. The world is better off that you lived, and your legacy will live forever.

[@user-kp2zm7xg7z]

😭

[@JulietRobin]

R.I.P. Caroll! I heard you died a couple hours ago. Thanks for brightening my childhood!

[@MarvelousSpyro]

RIP Carrol Spinney. The OG Big Bird is finally going to the big nest up in the sky.😭

[@ash.613]

I was skipping around the video and it suddenly went from talking about big bird to the challenger explosion... maybe I should watch the whole thing straight through... also rip Mr. Spinny ❤️

[@DreamDancer82]

Amazing how long he's been doing Big Bird. He's always been one of my favorite Sesame Street characters.

[@powerslave6944]

DreamDancer82 I like him as Oscar the Grouch.

[@ignaciourbano4306]

It told you

[@ignaciourbano4306]

Samart one

[@nerdgasm5949]

naw son cookie monster

[@artsy_hannah505]

I can't believe he was supposed to be on the Challenger instead, I never knew that. he's awesome at being big-bird🐥

[@stevarino1989]

I kind of have to laugh at the first installment of Big Bird back in 1969 when he was more "bird brained." Gosh, Mr. Spinney is 83 and still performing BB in that costume after 48 years!

[@Jsilva2000]

Rest In Peace, Caroll

[@medical3031]

Early big bird looked like he was addicted to "birdseed"

[@golfballsnowyinactive7878]

Nah he just got a haircut

[@StumpyFunnel]

@@golfballsnowyinactive7878 agreed

[@ariellabenporat5218]

So Caroll Spinney just died today....a tragic loss. My childhood was complete.

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

R.I.P Big Bird 1933-2019

[@TheGtracer1994]

Thank you Mr. Spinney for all you do!

[@667mumble]

That story about him almost being on The Challenger gave me chills

[@GoOsE_2143]

RIP Carroll you shall be missed and live on in our hearts and our kids hearts we miss and love you ❤️

[@pressia07]

im sorry but who would give big bird a thumbs down. lucifer thats who

[@kendallw28]

Creativity Unbound or Little Duck?

[@heyheyhey40]

Maybe it’s for the Bush who was giving journalism as a gift

[@mesquitegirl2013]

Someone who lost their childlike spirit

[@_.natdaoneforu]

Me thinks about Lucifer Netflix show

[@fendertremolo9793]

Lucifer is actually nicer than Jesus

[@jacobkemezys3453]

RIP Caroll, we will miss you! Thanks for being part of our childhood! 😔🐥💛🗑💚

[@jjproduction297]

RIP Caroll Spinney

[@Carmen-11211]

Rest In Peace mr spinney

[@chrisitl]

I absolutely love big bird!

[@nighthawk4564]

Thank God this man didn't go into outer space. That would have ruined my childhood.

[@dangerwoman9820]

I had the honor of meeting Carroll Spinney at DragonCon. I made him feel welcomed in 2015 and gave him a scarf to give it to Big Bird. He last visited as part of my BIG 5-0 at DragonCon 2018. Shortly after his triumph at DragonCon 2018, he finished his work and passed on the roles to his protege and retired with honor. His final appearance was at the Empire State Building, in which he was in a wheelchair and got to see the tribute to Sesame Street that moved him to tears. He became A Victim Of Goodbye yesterday and I cried through my mask when I got the news. On behalf of the Cast Of The Magical World Of DangerWoman, we offer our condolences and Deepest sympathies in the passing of Carroll Spinney. In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to your local PBS KIDS Station, in memory of Carroll Spinney. DANGER WOMAN

[@coleishachildress5268]

R.I.P to my favorite on the show! My big bird! Everyone loves Elmo but my favorite character was big bird! Still is! Thank you for making my childhood great!

[@ElaMongrella]

How many kids would've been scarred for life, if Big Bird had been on the Challenger? O_o

[@darciambaye4871]

None

[@dustinnunez5077]

Me 🙋‍♂️😐😢

[@ScorpioDreamer1984]

Me

[@rangerwill]

Maaaan.........I feel bad for Christa McAuliffe's family. But if Carroll Spinney had gone instead of her, they probably would've had a national crisis on their hands. Grief counselors would've made a fortune.

[@MegaNFer81]

back in the day, MPT (PBS) got us kids to get our parents to donate by saying if they didn't get money.... we might loose Sesame Street

[@panowa8319]

RIP Carroll Spinney!

[@josephmendoza6993]

We lost another legend today :'( R.I.P Carroll

[@thefinalhashiraangrysag415]

Weird thing about me, as a kid I was terrified of Sesame Street yet I loved the muppet show, weird because they're the same thing

[@selenathetabby]

amy danced I loved both, still do, but I discovered "Sam And Friends" back in 8th or 9th grade (I'm a college freshman now) and I considered that to be relatively bonkers>.< But I must say, it is an interesting show. Just a tad bit off-the-wall^^; It lasted from 1956 to 1961 and was Jim Henson's first television show, not to mention that Kermit the frog made his first appearance there!

[@pedromojica4986]

Nicoletta Bates qwertyuiopasdffhnklxxxxxx

[@selenathetabby]

Pedro Mojica Pardon?

[@ronswanson1704]

when you imagine that he actually cheated death by not going on that trip to orbit.

[@ochosigod5417]

Respect to this man for giving me and others joy as a child.Thank u

[@Nope2479]

I'm a grown man who loves bird bird to the point that I only get teary eyed when he gets serious.

[@jim6820]

I will never forget when he found a dead body in his shed on his property. His caretaker was charged with the murder. Spinney was never considered to be a suspect or had any involvement. Thank god.

[@jebthepleb492]

Rest In Peace, big bird. I never really grew up with you but you were a legend in everyone else’s hearts

[@ravenandbox1695]

Give this guy some Respect! WOW!!!

[@theadventuresofkingaidan5880]

I just realized..he looked so much like Jim Henson, imagine what his offspring would look like..A part of jim lived in him, and his own offspring, We miss you Both..Big bird from 1969 to 2016, same with Oscar. Caroll "Jim look alike" Spinney, 1939 to 2019..

[@goldenwither]

Big Bird almost died 😭 I can't believe they almost sent him on that. I actually wonder what went wrong with that flight attempt. Can anyone tell me because I'm too lazy to search it up 😅

[@miss_midge_]

I would imagine when they "invited" him, they didn't know that was going to happen.

[@shanehunston166]

Golden Wither his suit was too big for the entrance

[@ianmichalski7997]

Golden Wither If you're asking what caused the Challenger spacecraft to explode the way it did, the simple explanation is that gasses in the external fuel tank of the craft began to mix together which resulted in a large explosion that tore the rocket apart. The crew compartment was still intact after the explosion and it is speculated that the crew survived the explosion and was alive inside the compartment. It fell from the sky and into the sea. It was the impact with the ocean after falling from such a height and with such velocity that killed them.

[@SanAntonioJoker]

Ian Michalski jesus christ how horrifying

[@ianmichalski7997]

tyler christ IKR

[@csharp57]

Follow that bird is one of my favorite movies. I still remember EVERY song

[@SpellboundWolf]

I have a strong, deep fondness & bond for Big Bird & Oscar, but especially Big Bird. Ever since I was REAL young, growing up in the '90s. Mr. Spinney is precious to me. I even have the documentary 'I Am Big Bird' in my films collection. My parents were divorced when I was just 5 years old & sough comfort in the shows I'd watch on PBS to deal with the trauma. Big Bird is always there for me, even today. With the still very recent news of Margaret Hamilton's guest apprentice as The Wicked Witch of the West Sesame Street episode being fully released, I was so proud of Big Bird. He took it upon himself to stand guard outside of Hooper's Store after The Witch started causing trouble. He was very brave.

[@rosecoloredtimes]

The mechanics of a Big Bird blow my mind. I had no idea .

[@mamajo005]

Big bird was and still is my favorite. And cookie monster too.

[@ald668]

What a sweet man!

[@JLummin]

childhood and current favs died on the same day. Caroll Spinney for Big Bird and Juice Wrld for being one of my favorite current artists

[@ChallysAnimatedLife]

RIP

[@sharonbeckerle3585]

my heart is sad here today because of big birds retirement but its extraordinary that carol made it to the golden anniversary because his heart was and is golden and pure gold at that. happy retirement mr spinney you made my childhood so happy sesame street will never be the same without you.

[@ransely.riveraperez7647]

I miss my childhood 😥 yesterday I was sitting on the living room carpet in front of the T.V watching Sesame Street, Lazy Town, Barney, The Bernstein Bears and Bob The Builder, and now I'm thinking of becoming a surgeon

[@scriptblender2660]

RIP Carroll Spinney

[@CrazyGamerDragon64]

0:31 "La la!"

[@ddfqec]

Big Bird You My friend love You 🎉❤❤❤😢

[@bradleypilkerton3773]

Rest in peace Carroll spinney

[@matthewmartenson481]

He Died This Morning RIP Big Bird

[@theodoretekkers]

Voice of my childhood. The days before KZbin or Coco Melon. Good times 🤔. RIP Gone but never forgotten.

[@plushycube]

i went to one of his signings i thanked him for everything he gave me advice on puppetry i want to thank everyone for watching the show even if you got there today or yesterday i love caroll and the crew and all of you guys rip caroll spinney

[@gabriellejames1338]

He will be missed

[@user-kp2zm7xg7z]

😭

[@KermitKong24]

Who came here after hearing that he died?

[@francismausley7239]

Thanks Caroll! You made Big Bird is such a 'good kid!' "Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning." (" If, however, the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light.") - Baha'i Writings

[@fireflowerfilms2010]

Rest in peace big bird i hope you can give Mr hooper your drawing now.

[@timothythomas853]

Big bird is always been my favorite

[@SpeedyWings2323]

Rest In Peace Big Bird

[@Bunnyboo3419]

Omg I love big Bird he was my favorite as a child😍

[@stevenscottoddballz]

I would LOVE to see how he makes Big Bird's snore sound!

[@SNUPE_FOXX92]

I've always loved big bird 😊😊😊

[@tdickensheets]

He will be missed!

[@GamingFanactic911]

Another legend!!!! RIP and thank you for an amazing childhood!! :'( :'(

[@jenniferneisler7219]

Im 37 now an loved big bird an also super grover!

[@staticdarrius2360]

Rip We Will Love You💛💚💛💚💛💚💛

[@brandoninglin7566]

1:40-1:55 is my favorite part of the video I love Sesame Street ‼️💯

[@reekstoys1112]

I wished I was a 8 foot yellow bird like bigbird

[@thethreebrothers7125]

Me too

[@jeffrey44]

THE THREE BROTHERS Believe in yourself, you can do it.

[@well_cooked_steak8716]

#relateable

[@Miguel-ei8oc]

Favorite character

[@NeutralNinetails]

Wow I had no idea I was so attatched to big bird. But I super am I almost cried watching this.

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

R.I.P Big Bird

[@jamiecolby8629]

I never met Caroll, but my ex father in law used to date his daughter and she had a son named Wyatt Spinney, Carroll's grandson, he used to come over and hang out with my little brother in law. one day Wyatt said my grandfather is Big Bird, and we laughed so he went and got his mom to prove it, sure enough, they weren't lying! Wyatt and his mom lived in Feeding Hills Massachusetts back then!

[@TMarsh-ob4cp]

RIP Big Bird 😪

[@jjproduction297]

Happy Birthday, Caroll Spinney! :D

[@ldylkr]

You, sir, are a legend.

[@puppetshack4931]

Wow crazy he was supposed to be on that shuttle. Thank you Caroll!

[@hithere8469]

I remember watching this..when I see it now I freak out c;

[@porkypiggieboy]

I love Big Bird!

[@TORQUEAZTEC210]

Honestly I loved grouch land movie was amazing

[@RikoClawzer]

RIP :(

[@vasmask2121]

If I meet big bird , imma melt completely

[@artlover842]

I'm glad that Jim Henson had picked Caroll to help with the muppets. Rip Caroll spinney 🥺🙏😭🥀🕊️💔

[@luisdiego3764]

RIP 🖤

[@theaawalker]

It's over. We are officially screwed. We lost Mr. Rogers, Michael Jackson, and Big Bird. The world is doomed. I've given up on this generation. All hope is lost. Doomsday, here we come.

[@Ava-zb1md]

R.i.p big bird

[@malcolmmonster7987]

I Wish someone anyone anybody anyone would spend some quality time spending the day with Caroll Spinney and the little boy so they won't be alone anymore taking great care of them talk listen connected disscusion understand each other

[@whyyouwanttoknowmynamegezz7684]

4:05 her eyes

[@anthonyfarandatos7839]

Whoever gave Big Bird a thumbs down has NO SOUL!

[@nosabo4852]

R.I.P

[@artsy__heart7972]

so cool!

[@neriashleycabajar1985]

RIP Carol

[@hottyloxie]

dude he been there from the very beginning when,sesame streetjust had a few characters that's pretty kool.

[@jazzybaby1661]

RIP Mr. Spinny