Carroll Spinney, the 69-year old master puppeteer who brought to
children everywhere such beloved characters as Big Bird and Oscar
the Grouch, will receive this year
’s Legacy for Children Award from Children’s Discovery Museum of
San Jose. The award is presented annually to an individual or
organization whose efforts have significantly benefited the
learning and lives of children.
Carroll Spinney, the 69-year old master puppeteer who brought to children everywhere such beloved characters as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, will receive this year’s Legacy for Children Award from Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. The award is presented annually to an individual or organization whose efforts have significantly benefited the learning and lives of children.
Spinney will accept the award on Jan. 30 at the Legacy for Children Award dinner at the Fairmont Hotel. Proceeds from the event benefit Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, where contributions help underwrite many of the museum’s vital community programs such as the Open Door Policy, School Visitation, outreach activities for underserved children and the development of new exhibits and educational initiatives.
Spinney has devoted more than 30 years as the live puppeteer of these famous and beloved characters. Recruited by Jim Henson to be a member of the original Muppets cast, Spinney has performed at 123 Sesame Street, the fictional New York City neighborhood, since 1969 and continues to do so today.
More than 10 million U.S. children tune into Sesame Street each week and many more in 148 foreign countries, to learn the alphabet, numbers and some of the “hows” and “whys” of the world we live in. Spinney has won four Emmys for his puppetry and in 2000 was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress (joining Bill Cosby and Barbra Streisand). His greatest accolades, however, come from the children he has devoted his life to, who send care packages of bird seed and letters to Big Bird thanking him “for being their friend!”
Chilren’s Discovery Museum of San Jose’s Legacy for Children Award was inaugurated in 1999, when the first award was presented to Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. A committee of notable community members involved in children’s education, health care, human and social services and the arts nominate candidates.
Last year’s recipient was actor, filmmaker and early childhood education advocate Rob Reiner.
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose is the largest children’s museum in the west and rated among the top five children’s museums in the United States and the top 12 in the world. Admission to the museum is $7 for visitors 1-59; $6 age 60 and over and free for children under 1 and Children’s Discovery Museum members.
The non-profit museum has welcomed over 4 million children, families and educators since opening its purple gates in 1990. It is the proud recipient of the National Award for Museum Service presented by First Lady Laura Bush, the only award in the United States that bestows national recognition on museums making exceptional contributions to their communities. The museum’s website is www.cdm.org
