Big Bird is a Rare Breed

Big Bird is a television icon. Caroll Spinney, the man under the feathers, is legendary in his own right. Spinney is the winner of 4 Daytime Emmy Awards and 2 Grammy Awards from related recordings. Spinney, who doubles as Oscar the Grouch, has performed as Big Bird since 1969.
Spinney talked about someone else playing Oscar when Big Bird is also in the scene. It gets frustrating on the rare occasion when the Oscar puppeteer doesn't convey the expressions as Spinney would. Mostly though, Spinney has no problems with the other puppeteers.
Spinney has also authored a book, The Wisdom of Big Bird. This book isn't merely a cute book of lessons for children. It is filled with real life lessons learned and shared by Spinney.
Meeting Spinney was a thrill. Spinney was delightful, regaling us with a few bird tales. He was friendly and talkative, offering stories which grabbed our attention. The ever classy Spinney was one of the nicest celebrities I have ever met.

Caroll Spinney and me in Rosemont, IL-March 2009.