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

[maddluv]

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

[onenonlyprincess]

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

[ZICOSMUSICBOX]

RIP Caroll Spinney

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

[moogiealways]

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

[Camop-izkt]

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

[heru-deshet]

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.

[fredtaylor]

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

[Asukenick]

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

[leannaboyle]

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.

[ash.]

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 ❤️

[DreamDancer]

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

[medical]

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

[artsy_hannah]

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

[pressia]

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

[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.😭

[empk]

Met him on the elevator at a convention about a decade ago, though we were complete strangers and didn't realize who he was at first he was so friendly and struck up conversation immediately.

[ariellabenporat]

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

[stevarino]

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!

[nighthawk]

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