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The news was made public via the official Twitter account of "Sesame Street".
"Big Bird has brought me to many places, opened my mind and nurtured my soul," Spinney said in a statement. "And I expect to be an ambassador for Sesame Workshop for many years – after all, we are a family, but the time has come for two artists I've worked with and respect – and who have been chosen to the tutelage of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch – to take my alter-egos in their hands and continue to give them life. "
For many fans of "Sesame", it's the end of an era for a man whose characters helped define their childhood.
The five decades of Spinney depicting the beloved characters left him in the shadows, even as Big Bird and Oscar became famous around the world.
Big Bird went to China with Bob Hope in 1979 and even demonstrated his dancing skills with Rockettes and ballerina Cynthia Gregory.
This beloved bird, which is more than eight feet tall, was celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrated in its image on an American postage stamp and named "Living Legend" in 2000 by the Library of the Congress.
Spinney has embraced his avatar avatar, traveling the world, appearing in feature films and directing costume symphonies in the United States, Australia and Canada.
He even met his wife Debra, aged 45, during the filming of "Sesame Street" in 1973.
Sesame Workshop co-creator Joan Ganz Cooney congratulated Spinney on his turn as a fine-haired puppet in a garbage can, Oscar the Grouch.
"Caroll is from the beginning one of the main lights of Sesame Street," she said. "His genius and talent have made Big Bird the most beloved yellow-feathered friend in the world, but Caroll's artistic talent lies in the fact that he also brought Oscar to life and has makes the most adorable Grouch in the world. "
The roles have earned Spinney, who is also an accomplished author and visual artist.
He holds four honorary doctorates, an Emmy Award, six other Emmys, two Gold Records and two Grammy Awards.
His life and career have been documented in the widely acclaimed 2014 film, "I Am Big Bird".
"Before coming to Sesame Street, I did not think what I was doing was very important – Big Bird helped me find my goal," Spinney said. "Even withdrawing from my roles, I feel that I will always be Big Bird, and even Oscar, from time to time! They have given me great joy, have led to my true calling – and to my wonderful wife! – and created a life of memories that I will cherish forever. "
The show announced that Matt Vogel, the puppet captain of "Sesame Street", will assume the role of Big Bird.
Oscar the Grouch will be performed by Eric Jacobson, a puppeteer who also plays Grover, Bert and Guy Smiley for "Sesame Street", as well as Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy for the Muppets.
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