When I was eight, I bought my first puppet. It was a monkey, and I paid five cents for it. I collected some scrap wood and built myself a puppet theatre. I made 32 cents with my first show, which I thought was pretty good, and that's when I knew I would be a puppeteer when I grew up. Caroll Spinney buildbuycent share on social
Oscar is the exact opposite of how I think you should behave. I just think of it as a negative view of the positive mind I have. Big Bird is sweet and nice and also sympathetic, as kids can identify with him even though he looks like such a bizarre character - great 8 feet 2 inches, a beak 18 inches long. Caroll Spinney beakbehavebig share on social
When I got to New York, I had no place to sleep. The pay from 'Sesame Street' wasn't enough to rent an apartment. I was staying on people's couches. I stayed in the dressing room until they found out. I stayed with Jim Henson and his family for a week, and I wanted to do that permanently. I didn't dare ask, though. Caroll Spinney apartmentcouchdare share on social
I know I don't own Big Bird, but I own his soul, I feel. Caroll Spinney bigbirdfeel Change image and share on social
Big Bird went through his very human kind of struggles as a child. No other children's character has been that complete and detailed. Caroll Spinney bigbirdcharacter Change image and share on social
I was called such names as a kid. Being the smallest boy in the class with a name like Caroll. I remember going home and saying to my mom, 'What were you thinking?' Caroll Spinney boycallcaroll Change image and share on social
I found out animation is incredibly boring. You draw and draw and draw, and it's only a few seconds done in a week. Caroll Spinney animationboredraw Change image and share on social
I think there's an awful lot of me in Big Bird, but Oscar is pretty much - I think I know how he thinks because he thinks exactly the opposite of what I think is a good way to be. Caroll Spinney awfulbigbird Change image and share on social
Big Bird is based on what I learned as a child. Caroll Spinney basebigbird Change image and share on social
You can exaggerate with puppets. You're not trying to look like real people. The way the Muppets are designed is really appealing. Puppets are best if they're exaggerated creatures. Caroll Spinney appealcreaturedesign Change image and share on social