European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Meet the Man under big Birds famous Feather by Judie Glave associated press a. Garoll Spinney has played one of television s most popular characters for years but most people have never heard of him. That does no to bother Spinney. A i love it Quot he said convincingly. Caroll who try big Bird Spinney s alter ego. Spinney is the puppeteer who was handpicked by the late Jim Henson the creator of the up pets to play sesame Street s lovable big Bird and the irascible Oscar the grouch. He decided Early on that the Bird not the Man was going to be the Star a. A a. For years Spinney refused to be photographed at All and lie still bans shots showing him getting into or out of costume. A a it a a delicate situation because the children think i f him As a real Bud a Spinney said. A that s something we had t planned  up Nevi 57, also turned Down chances to do the talk show circuit with Oscar. Showing the puppeteer As Well As the puppet would have increased his lame and padded . A but i would have lost something too a Spinney says. A Lake the wonder in children a laces when they look at Bud his nickname Lor the uninitiated the love packed inside letters that come from around the world the anonymity to pull Oil the occasional bodacious prank. Once the in weathered Spinney was in a department store when he spotted a Mother and Daugh Caroll Spinney poses with a picture of his other self above. Below a scene front the film a sesame Street presents follow that Birds starring Spinney Benjamin Barrett and Alison court -. A �������.�. A a a a a a a a a a a v Ter looking at talking big Bird dolls. Hearing the child a name Spinney crouched Down and said in big Bird s familiar falsetto a hello Elizabeth gee that a a pretty red dress it s snowing out in t it a the Mother was dumbfounded wondering How the doll knew the name the dress color ant the weather spa Kiev said. But the woman daughter m Tow just turned and walked away. A you mean alter All that Vou re not even going to buy the thing a the doll yelled alter Hen Spinney never did Lell the woman Vav Homie was. And looking at him she would never have guessed. A. Lean and wiry with a that Lrol White hair cropped Beard and trim Mustache. Spinney is con Side nobly Shorter at 5 feet 10 inches than big Bird a who stands s foot 2 from tip to toe. He bears a Sti King resemblance to his Mentor. Henson. 11 is Normal voice is Dis Cermely lower than big Birds and infinitely More cultured than oscars he hocs with his second wife Debra on several wooded acres in Northeast Connecticut i be won t say  because i be actually had people drive into the Yard blow the Horn and say a do the a voice / a. A a a yeah get outta Here Deere a he said slipping into Oscar. His weathered garb is half costume and half Pup pet. Big Birds head a All 4 i pounds Worth is actually Spinney a right Arm held a was straight As possible Over his head. He monitors big Birds movements via a 1 a Inch television set strapped to his Chest. A Spinney wabbit by the puppet ering Bug As a youngster. Along with his Mother he credits of All people in. I be Bailey s mom. She ran a Day care school in their Hometown n of Acton. Mass  there that Spinney a child  of  trial lawyer saw his Fust puppet production. I be made Iris debut at age n in the family barn with a homemade Monkey and Snake earning the princely sum of do cents. Spinney put  Art school doing a birthday parties and Lodge shows All the while planning a career drawing comic strips or books. A i did no to know that puppets would take Over a lie a says. A a. A a a a. \. -. A. In while still in school lie landed a Job on the Judy and goggle puppet show a summer replacement series at a local television station in Boston. His next stint was a a a year run on the local Bozo the Clown show. In i of Henson was scouting Lor someone to play big Bird. And lie found Spinney. Big Bird originally was a the Village idiot on the show because when Spinney asked i Lenson what kind of character he was the muppet maker described him As a goofy like sidekick. 1 Hen one script gave him the real clue big Bird threw a Tantrum because lie wanted to go to Day  with the rest of the kids. A from then on i suggested we play him As a  As for the cantankerous Oscar. Spinney said he was having trouble deciding what voice to bestow on the trash can troublemaker. Filter one Cigar chomping vulgarity spewing new. York cab Hie. A a a a i was going to meet Jim to do a no through on Oscar Lor the lust time. I was supposed to have a voice ready and still could t do cide when i got mro a cab and the. Driver said. A when of Mac a spa Kiev said in Oscar s we inv. Distinctly new Hawk accent.  s inn. Spa Kiev confessed a i like the Bird better  and love the Bird. I like Llic Little guv s personal ill. I kind of think of him As. Well As a kid of mine. A. And alter two decades. Spinney has no intention of moving on.  been asked Belore. Are you tired of in do you want logo on and do other things and i say would you want to Stop being Mickey mouse a May 19. 1991sunday a Page 11