Caroll Spinney Bio, Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Cause of Death, Net Worth, Parents, Instagram, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch

Caroll Spinney Bio – Caroll Spinney Wiki

Caroll Spinney born Caroll Edwin Spinney, was an American puppeteer, cartoonist, author and speaker. He was best known for playing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street since the show’s inception in 1969 to 2018.

After high school, Spinney spent 4 years in the U.S. Air Force then returned to Massachusetts and broke into television. He teamed up with fellow puppeteer Judy Valentine for their own daily series, then worked on a Boston version of the clown show “Bozo’s Big Top,” according to AP.

Caroll Spinney Age

He was born on December 26, 1933, in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States. He died on December 8, 2019, Woodstock, Connecticut, United States. He was 85 years old.

Caroll Spinney Wife

He was married twice. He married his first wife Janice Spinney in 1960. They divorced in 1971 after 11 years of marriage. He was married to his second wife, Debra Jean Gilroy, from 1979 until his death on December 8, 2019.

Caroll Spinney Children

Spinney had 3 children, Jessica, Melissa and Benjamin, from his first marriage to Janice Spinney, and has four grandchildren.

Caroll Spinney Death

Spinney died on December 8, 2019, at his home in Woodstock, Connecticut at the age of 85. Sesame Workshop announced his death in a statement on Sunday, December 8, 2019. The statement read:

“Caroll Spinney, the legendary puppeteer behind beloved Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, died today, December 8th 2019, at age 85 at his home in Connecticut, after living with Dystonia 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.

“Welcomed to Sesame Street by Jim Henson, Caroll thrived under a mentorship that led to a decades-long great friendship. Caroll’s unparalleled career saw Big Bird visit China with Bob Hope, dance with the Rockettes, be celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a U.S. postage stamp, and named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. A favorite highlight for Caroll was conducting symphony orchestras and performing with them across the United States, Australia, and China, allowing him to personally connect with families everywhere through the music of Sesame Street. Caroll Spinney gave something truly special to the world. 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 said of Spinney, “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.”

Caroll Spinney, the legendary puppeteer behind beloved Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, died today, December 8th 2019, at age 85 at his home in Connecticut, after living with Dystonia for some time. https://t.co/9nQ8H9iUES pic.twitter.com/8BoXn9rge3

— Sesame Workshop (@SesameWorkshop) December 8, 2019

Caroll Spinney Cause of Death

Caroll Spinney’s cause of death was complications from dystonia.

Caroll Spinney Net Worth

Caroll Spinney’s net worth was estimated to be $8 million.

Caroll Spinney Height

He stood at a height of 5 feet 9½ inches (1.77 m).