For 45 years, Caroll Spinney has been beloved by generations of children as the man behind Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch — and at 80 years old, he has no intention of stopping.
A loving portrait of the man in the yellow suit, “I Am Big Bird” features extraordinary footage of Spinney's earliest collaborations with Jim Henson as it traces his journey from bullied child to childhood icon.
Using current interviews and never-before-seen home videos capturing intimate moments from his life and career, “I Am Big Bird” peels away the instances that inspired his creation of characters that have influenced generations of children. And as the yellow feathers give way to grey hair, it is the man, not the puppet, who will steal your heart.
Caroll can’t say goodbye to Big Bird because he is Big Bird. His experiences shaped Big Bird’s soul; Big Bird’s soul has guided people around the globe. As the film gently weaves between past and present, it becomes clear just how deep of an impact Caroll Spinney has had throughout the world.