Other honorees includeР’В Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Co-foundersР’В Ganz Cooney and Lloyd MorrisettР’В are scheduled to accept the award on behalf of the show. 'Sesame Street' is set toР’В be honored Sunday night at the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors. View Gallery: 'Sesame Street': Big Bird puppeteer Caroll Spinney through the years Spinney reflected on his time with 'Sesame Street' last year in a statement while announcing his retirement:Р’В 'I always thought, how fortunate for me that I got to play the two best Muppets? Before I came to Sesame Street, I didnРІР‚в„ўt feel like what I was doing was very important. He stopped puppeteering for Big Bird in 2015 and had only been providing voices for him and Oscar.Р”Вystonia is a neurological disorder that causes abnormal, often painful muscle contractions that make it difficult to control movement, according to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. Spinney retired in 2018Р’В after dystoniaР’В madeР’В the physical requirements of performing more difficult. That he could do this work so brilliantly, responsibly, and with such infectious love and joy, is his gift to us all.' CarollРІР‚в„ўs decades-long commitment to bettering the lives of children all around the world is his true legacy. And Oscar the Grouch reflected universal feelings we all share, no matter our age. 'Big Bird was childlike, without being childish. 'The gentle performer who would bring to life two of the most beloved residents of Sesame Street could perfectly convey the humor and heart in our fatherРІР‚в„ўs creations,' the statement continued. In a statement released on the official Jim Henson Company Facebook page, Henson' family called Spinney and Henson's first meeting a 'moment of creative destiny.'

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