Matt Vogel is Big Bird
Big Bird takes a trip to The Furchester Hotel to surprise his friend Elmo, as the series from CBeebies and Sesame Workshop returns to CBeebies.
Published: 13 October 2016
One of the great things about my job as a puppeteer is that we get to have a lot of fun at work. We sure did laugh a lot. I think it’s helpful to create an atmosphere like that, where it’s light and people are in a good mood.
When Matt Vogel was first introduced to Caroll Spinney, who originally played Big Bird, Spinney said,”‘Vogel’? That’s ‘bird’ in German. This may be the job for you!” Here Matt describes what it’s like to play the 8-foot-tall, 6-year-old Big Bird.
What made you decide you would like to become a puppeteer? How did you get started?
I never thought that being a puppeteer was something someone could do as a job. I was a kid in the 1970’s and 80’s and I was definitely inspired by Jim Henson’s Muppets, and Sesame Street. I was very curious about what was going on underneath the puppets I saw on screen. I made my own puppets, did puppet shows for schools, PTAs, churches, and the kids in my neighborhood.
I eventually went away from puppetry to become an actor. I dabbled in puppetry throughout college and even had my own traveling puppet show after I graduated. I still didn’t think it was something a person could do as a job, and then I met John (son of Jim Henson).
When I was moving to New York in 1994, I saw an ad in the paper that said, “Do You Measure Up To Be A Muppet?” I answered the ad and soon after met John Henson, who brought me in to understudy him for a real version of the computer generated Coca-Cola Polar Bear. It wasn’t long after that, that I was asked to audition for Big Bird as a backup for Caroll Spinney at live appearances. I’ve played Big Bird (as Caroll Spinney’s understudy) since 1996.
Which characters have you played?
I’ve played a wide variety of characters over the years, from penguins to bathroom towels to the tiniest insect to understudying a giant yellow bird. A few years ago, I began performing The Count. The original performer of The Count was my friend and mentor, Jerry Nelson, who passed away in 2012.
How would you describe Big Bird?
I think Big Bird is kind of an “Everybird.” He makes mistakes and learns that it’s okay to do so. He tries really hard and gets frustrated and discovers it’s okay to be frustrated. He’s bigger than almost everyone he knows and finds out it’s okay to be different. He’s got a big heart and he really loves his friends. And I say he’s an “Everybird” because I think kids can easily see themselves in Big Bird. Children have all felt the way Big Bird does at one time or another. Everyone’s made mistakes, been frustrated, and felt different, so they relate to this big, eight-foot bird.
What is the best part of being Big Bird?
I think the best part of being Big Bird is seeing children’s—and adults’—reaction to seeing him in person. He’s so much bigger than you think and when you’re standing next to him he towers over you, yet you feel somehow comforted. People like to hug him and get their pictures taken with him.
Is it physically hard performing as Big Bird?
YES. It takes a lot of physical exertion to perform Big Bird. It feels like the whole thing — from the feathers on top of his head down to the billowy tail behind — is being held up by the thumb of my right hand. Sure, my other four fingers are inside the head supporting it a little, but most of the gravity seems to bear down on that right thumb. Plus, I’m wearing the body of the bird while keeping my right arm up in the air. I’ve thrown my back out a few times and had a stiff neck and other physical injuries as a result of performing Big Bird. I’m up for trying to do anything I can inside the bird. Except roller skating. I don’t think I could roller skate (although Caroll used to all the time).
Matt also plays Count von Count, who comes to stay at The Furchester Hotel. How would you describe The Count?
Well, you know why they call him The Count, don’t you? They call him The Count because he loves to count things! Ah! Ah! Ahhh! (thunder and lightning). The Count seriously loves to count and will take every opportunity to do so. Got a flight of stairs to walk down? The Count will count how many steps! Making a sandwich? The Count will count how many pieces of bread you have! Really, The Count never rests from counting. If he did rest, he’d probably count the minutes until he was finished resting!
Were there any funny moments during filming?
One of the great things about my job as a puppeteer is that we get to have a lot of fun at work. We sure did laugh a lot. I think it’s helpful to create an atmosphere like that, where it’s light and people are in a good mood.
