Caroll Spinney
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- December 26, 1933 in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
- Died
- December 8, 2019
- Active Years
- 1968–2022 (55 Years)
- Total Credits
- 117 credits in database
Acting Born Dec 26, 1933 Died Dec 8, 2019 Waltham, Massachusetts, USA 117 credits
Biography
Caroll Edwin Spinney was an American puppeteer, cartoonist, author, artist, and speaker born in Waltham, Massachusetts on December 26, 1933. He passed away on December 8, 2019 at the age of 85. Spinney is most famous for playing the characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on the children's television show Sesame Street from its inception in 1969 until 2018. During his career, he accumulated 114 known acting credits in movies and television shows. Among his recognized works are appearances in Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration, Scrubs, The West Wing, and the 2015 documentary film I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Career overview
Caroll Edwin Spinney was an American puppeteer, cartoonist, author, artist, and speaker born in Waltham, Massachusetts on December 26, 1933. He was sometimes credited as Carroll Spinney or Ed Spinney. Spinney was most famous for playing the roles of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on the children's television show Sesame Street from its inception in 1969 until 2018. Over his career, he amassed 114 known acting credits on The Movie Database.
In addition to his long-running work on Sesame Street, Spinney was associated with several other television and film projects. According to biographical and filmography records, his work included appearances or involvement in productions such as the film I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story, which was released in 2015. Other notable titles associated with his career include Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration, Scrubs, and The West Wing.
Caroll Spinney passed away on December 8, 2019, at the age of 85. Throughout his life and career, he left a lasting mark on television history through his enduring contributions to children's programming and his iconic portrayals of beloved characters.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Caroll Spinney.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Jerry Nelson: A Celebratory Birthday Animatic
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary CelebrationSesame Street: 50 Years and Counting
Mister Rogers: It's You I Like
Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas
In Their Own Words: Jim HensonI Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney StorySesame Street: Play All Day with Elmo!
Drew: The Man Behind the Poster
Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic NumbersSesame Street: Singing with the Stars
PortlandiaBeing Elmo: A Puppeteer's JourneySesame Street: Wild Words and Outdoor AdventuresMichael Bublé: A Michael Bublé Christmas
Sesame Street: The Best Pet in the World
Night at the Museum: Battle of the SmithsonianSesame Street: Elmo and Friends: The Letter Quest and Other Magical TalesSesame Street: Bedtime with ElmoSesame Street: Being GreenJim Henson: His Sesame Street Story
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Summer VacationSesame Street: Old School Vol. 3 (1979-1984)Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 1 (1969-1974)Sesame Street: Abby in WonderlandSesame Street: Old School Vol. 2 (1974-1979)
Elmo's Christmas CountdownSesame Street: Elmo's World: What Makes You Happy?
1 vs. 100A Sesame Street Christmas Carol
The Colbert ReportSesame Street: Big Bird Sings!
Sesame Street: A Celebration of Me, GroverSesame Street: What's the Name of That Song?Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On!Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites
Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Big Bird Gets LostSesame Street: Sesame Sings Karaoke
Sesame Street: Elmo Visits the FirehouseSesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play
ScrubsSesame Street: Elmo's Musical Adventure: The Story of Peter and the WolfSesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs 2
Sesame Street: Elmo's WorldSesame Street: Let's Make Music
The West WingSesame UnpavedThe Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandCinderElmoThe Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland: Sing and Play
Sesame Street: Elmopalooza!
Sesame Street: Quiet TimeSesame Street: Fiesta!Sesame Street: Get Up and DanceSesame Street: Sing Yourself Sillier at the Movies
Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Learning to ShareSesame Street: Imagine That!Sesame Street: Elmo Saves ChristmasSesame Street: Do the AlphabetSesame Street: Elmocize
The World of Jim HensonSesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
Homeward Bound: The Incredible JourneySesame Street Jam: A Musical CelebrationSesame Street Stays Up Late!Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years: A Musical Celebration!
Getting Ready to Read
Sesame Street: Sing, Hoot & Howl with the Sesame Street Animals
The Muppets Celebrate Jim HensonSesame Street: Monster Hits!Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly!Jim Henson's Memorial Service
Sesame Street: Put Down the DuckieWow, You're A Cartoonist!Big Bird in Japan
Full Filmography
117 titles- Jerry Nelson: A Celebratory Birthday Animatic (2022) as Big Bird (voice) / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021) as Self
- Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2019) as Self / Big Bird
- Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting (2019) as Big Bird
- Mister Rogers: It's You I Like (2018) as Self
- Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas (2016) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- In Their Own Words: Jim Henson (2015) as Self - Muppet Performer
- I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2015) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch / Self
- Sesame Street: Play All Day with Elmo! (2015) as Big Bird/Oscar
- Drew: The Man Behind the Poster (2013) as Self
- Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic Numbers (2012) as Big Bird
- Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars (2012) as Big Bird (voice)
- Portlandia (2011) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011) as Self
- Sesame Street: Wild Words and Outdoor Adventures (2011) as Big Bird
- Michael Bublé: A Michael Bublé Christmas (2011) as Oscar the Grouch
- Sesame Street: The Best Pet in the World (2010) as Big Bird
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends: The Letter Quest and Other Magical Tales (2009) as Big Bird
- Sesame Street: Bedtime with Elmo (2009) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Being Green (2009) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Jim Henson: His Sesame Street Story (2009)
- Sesame Street: Elmo's World: All About Faces (2009) as Oscar The Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Summer Vacation (2008) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 3 (1979-1984) (2008) as Big Bird
- Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 1 (1969-1974) (2008) as Big Bird
- Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland (2008) as Oscar the Grouch as the Grouch of Hearts (voice)
- Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 2 (1974-1979) (2008) as Big Bird
- One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure (2008) as Big Bird
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown (2007) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmo's World: What Makes You Happy? (2007) as Big Bird
- 1 vs. 100 (2006) as Oscar the Grouch
- A Sesame Street Christmas Carol (2006) as Oscar the Grouch / Big Bird (voice)
- The Colbert Report (2005) as Big Bird (uncredited)
- Sesame Street: Big Bird Sings! (2005) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: A Celebration of Me, Grover (2004) as Big Bird / Oscar (voice)
- Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song? (2004) as Big Bird / Oscar
- Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On! (2004) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites (2004) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Big Bird Gets Lost (2003) as Big Bird / Oscar (voice)
- Sesame Street: Sesame Sings Karaoke (2003) as Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch
- Sesame Street: Elmo Visits the Firehouse (2002) as Oscar The Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play (2002) as Oscar the Grouch (voice) (archive footage)
- Scrubs (2001) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmo's Musical Adventure: The Story of Peter and the Wolf (2001) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs 2 (2001) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmo's World (2000) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch ("Music" segment)
- Sesame Street: Let's Make Music (2000) as Big Bird / Oscar
- The West Wing (1999) as Big Bird
- Sesame Unpaved (1999)
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- CinderElmo (1999) as Big Bird (voice)
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland: Sing and Play (1999) as Big Bird/Oscar the Grouch (archive footage)
- Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs (1999) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmopalooza! (1998) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Quiet Time (1997) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Fiesta! (1997) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Get Up and Dance (1997) as Big Bird / Oscar (voice)
- Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Sillier at the Movies (1997) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Learning to Share (1996) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch
- Sesame Street: Imagine That! (1996) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas (1996) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet (1996) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: Elmocize (1996) as Big Bird (voice)
- The World of Jim Henson (1994) as Self / Big Bird (archive footage)
- Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! (1994) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) as Dog in Pound (uncredited)
- Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration (1993) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street Stays Up Late! (1993) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years: A Musical Celebration! (1993) as Big Bird and Oscar
- Getting Ready to Read (1992) as Big Bird / Oscar (voice)
- Sesame Street: Sing, Hoot & Howl with the Sesame Street Animals (1991) as Big Bird (voice)
- The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: Monster Hits! (1990) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly! (1990) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Jim Henson's Memorial Service (1990)
- Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie (1988) as Big Bird/Oscar the Grouch/Bruno the Trashman (voice)
- Wow, You're A Cartoonist! (1988) as Picklepuss / Pop
- Big Bird in Japan (1988) as Big Bird (voice)
- A Muppet Family Christmas (1987) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Sing Along (1987) as Big Bird and Oscar
- Sesame Street: Big Bird's Story Time (1987) as Big Bird
- The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Learning About Letters (1986) as Big Bird/Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street: Learning About Numbers (1986) as Big Bird (voice)
- Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories (1986) as Big Bird (voice)
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Big Bird
- Follow That Bird (1985) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch / Bruno the Trashman (voice)
- Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets (1984) as Caroll Spinney (self)
- Big Bird in China (1983) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Big Bird in China (1983) Story
- Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1983) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- The Great Muppet Caper (1981) as Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- The Muppet Movie (1979) as Big Bird (voice)
- Presenting Susan Anton (1979)
- A Walking Tour of Sesame Street (1979) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Bob Hope on the Road to China (1979) as Self - Big Bird (voice)
- A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney (1978) as Big Bird
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Big Bird
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self - as Big Bird
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Sesame Street- Do you know where Ernie lives? (1975) as Self
- Out to Lunch (1974) as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Julie on Sesame Street (1973) as Big Bird/ Oscar the Grouch (voice)
- Sesame Street (1969) as Big Bird
- Sesame Street (1969) as Oscar the Grouch
- Sesame Street (1969) as Sam the Robot
- Sesame Street (1969) as Bennett Snerf
- Sesame Street (1969) as Cookie Monster
- Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten (1969) as Self
- This Way to Sesame Street (1969) as Big Bird
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Sesame Street 1986 Wrap Party as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch
- Sesame Street: Big Bird's Favorite Party Games as Big Bird
- Sesame Street: Ernie's Little Lie as Big Bird
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Caroll Spinney best known for?
Caroll Spinney is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021), Drew: The Man Behind the Poster (2013), Portlandia (2011), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009).
When and where was Caroll Spinney born?
Caroll Spinney was born on December 26, 1933 in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. They passed away on December 8, 2019.
How many credits does Caroll Spinney have?
Caroll Spinney has accumulated over 117 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1968 to 2022.
What is Caroll Spinney's background in cinema and television?
Caroll Edwin Spinney was an American puppeteer, cartoonist, author, artist, and speaker born in Waltham, Massachusetts on December 26, 1933. He passed away on December 8, 2019 at the age of 85. Spinney is most famous for playing the characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on the children's television show Sesame Stree...
Caroll Spinney by the numbers
117credits
101films
16TV series
1968–2022active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- The West Wing (1999) as Big Bird — aged about 65
- Scrubs (2001) as Oscar the Grouch (voice) — aged about 67
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Big Bird — aged about 42
- Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021) as Self — aged about 87
- The Muppet Movie (1979) as Big Bird (voice) — aged about 45
- Sesame Street (1969) as Big Bird — aged about 35
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Caroll Spinney.