Bye Bye Big Bird: Actor retiring after nearly 50 years

The man behind the biggest bird on Sesame Street is leaving the best known block in the world.

Puppeteer Caroll Spinney announced Wednesday he is retiring from the roles of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

Spinney has performed both characters since the children’s show premiered in 1969.

Before joining the show, he served in the Air Force then worked in Las Vegas.

He eventually met Jim Henson at a puppetry festival in 1962, and the rest, as they say, is history.

pinney holds several awards including six Emmys and two Grammy honors.