In a painting titled “In My Dreams I Can Fly,” Spinney depicted the traditionally flightless Big Bird soaring above the countryside.CreditCody O'Loughlin for The New York Times

“In My Dreams, I Can Fly”


Carroll Spinney, who originated and played Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch for 50 years, is retiring. There’s a very nice biographical sketch in the New York Times. There’s an equally wonderful press release from Sesame Workshop. Thanks, Mr. Spinney. You helped a lot of kids dream; you helped a lot of kids fly.…