Actor Caroll Spinney, whom is 84, is retiring after nearly fifty years and thousands of episodes playing the beloved giant yellow bird as well as the role of Oscar the grouch. What am amazing run for two trailblazing roles. The 8’2” Big Bird is probably one of the most impressionable on Sesame Street, given its role as the innocent, well-intentioned friend – essentially mirroring the viewers and delivering a relatable perspective to delivering teachings. Caroll apparently, met Jim Henson in the 60’s at a puppeteer show that went wrong. Henson, approach Spinney after the show and said he appreciated what he was ‘trying’ to do on stage and then invited him to join Sesame Street. Hats off to Mr. Spinney for teaching us all how to learn from one another and try and try again. In his words when describing this lifetime role, “I don’t get to play him, I get to live his life.” Fear not – Big Bird will still be part of Sesame Street, Matt Vogel whom has been Spinney’s apprentice since 1996 is taking this over, on tap of his current roles as Kermit and Count the Count. Big shoes to fill for sure.