Is Big Bird A Muppet Or A Puppet? Unraveling The Sesame Street Mystery

Is Big Bird considered a Muppet? Indeed, Big Bird, a beloved character from the long-running children’s television show “Sesame Street,” holds the distinction of being one of the two Muppets who have received a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. A walk-around character of Big Bird can often be spotted entertaining visitors at theme parks, delighting fans of all ages with his warm and endearing personality.

Is Big Bird a costume or a puppet? To answer this question, it’s essential to delve into the background of Big Bird’s design. Big Bird’s creation drew inspiration from a prior work by Jim Henson, the renowned puppeteer and creator of the Muppets. Henson had previously designed a remarkable seven-foot-tall dragon puppet for a La Choy advertising campaign, which served as the basis for Big Bird’s physical form.

When it comes to the mechanics of bringing Big Bird to life, it’s a combination of both costume and puppetry. The Big Bird performer wears a specialized costume that completely encloses them, becoming the iconic feathered character. Within this costume, the performer extends their right hand over their head, using it to operate the head and neck of the puppet, allowing for expressive movement and interaction. So, in essence, Big Bird is a unique fusion of costume and puppetry that enables the beloved character to come to life on screen.

“Is a Muppet considered a type of puppet? To answer this question, it’s essential to understand that the term ‘Muppet’ is a trademarked name. It is used to describe puppets that can trace their lineage back to the original creations by Jim Henson, the visionary puppeteer. Muppets primarily find their home on Sesame Street or are under the ownership of The Walt Disney Company.

Jim Henson’s Muppets were crafted using a diverse array of puppetry techniques that continue to be employed in the art of puppetry to this day. One iconic example of a Muppet is none other than Kermit the Frog, a timeless character known and loved by people of all ages.”