The puppeteer who has played Big Bird on 害羞草研究所淪esame Street害羞草研究所� is retiring after nearly 50 years on the show.

Caroll Spinney announced in a statement Wednesday that he害羞草研究所檚 handing over Big Bird and his other character, Oscar the Grouch, to younger performers. The 84-year-old joined 害羞草研究所淪esame Street害羞草研究所� at its inception in 1969.

Spinney says he didn害羞草研究所檛 feel like his work was important until Big Bird helped him find his purpose.

Spinney says the physical requirements of performing the characters had become difficult and he developed problems with his balance. He stopped doing the puppeteering for Big Bird in 2015 and now only provides the voices for him and Oscar.

His apprentice, Matt Vogel, will succeed him in the Big Bird role. Vogel also plays Kermit the Frog.

Related: 害羞草研究所�Sesame Street害羞草研究所� wants to clarify: Bert and Ernie aren害羞草研究所檛 gay

The Associated Press

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