Big Bird is a beloved character from Sesame Street, and when you were a kid, you likely didn’t question the logistics of his costume – but people have been left horrified to learn the truth
Anybody who watched Sesame Street growing up will be well acquainted with Big Bird.
The 8-foot 2 inches bird is bright yellow and has taught generations of children how to gain knowledge, and ask questions. Big Bird premiered in the very first episode in 1969, according to Muppet fandom, and he’s an adorable character known to make friends easily.
However, as generations have grown up, questions around Big Bird, and how he was operated, have surfaced. Was there really someone in that gigantic costume? It’s hard to believe, and people have been left horrified when they’ve learned the truth about Big Bird.
Social media user @KeetPotato took to X, formerly Twitter, to post a diagram of what the inside of Big Bird’s costume allegedly looks like. “I don’t know what I thought, but it wasn’t this”, he penned.
The details of Big Bird’s costume are as follows: string from pinky to move eyes, video monitor, script taped inside costume, wire from left hand to right, legs worn as pants, and lift shoes.
Big Bird’s head is completely empty, other than the hand operating the blinking eyes, and someone said that it was an “incredible dedication to his art”.
“That looks like hell”, someone pointed out. “Must be tiring holding your hand up that long”, another shared. A further social media user added: “I always thought the head and mouth was controlled with like pedals or something and seeing this I’m realising how overly complicated that would be.”
Someone else also joked: “I need an 80s movie montage of someone learning then mastering how to be the Big Bird.”
Others had questions about other characters, writing: “How does bear do it from bear in the big blue house, I swear he uses both his arms?” Someone else pointed out that Jabba the Hut apparently had numerous people inside the costume, operating different parts. Our minds are blown.
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