Danny Seagren , a Jim Henson puppeteer who played Big Bird on Sesame Street and portrayed the first live-action Spider-Man on The Electric Company, has died age 81.

Seagren died on November 10, according to his family. There was no cause of death stated.

Seagren, who was born on November 15, 1943 in Minneapolis, MN, was both a puppeteer and puppet maker for Jim Henson.

Along with being Ernie’s right hand, the Muppet maker also starred as Big Bird on several episodes of Sesame Street , as well as playing the tall bird during live shows as well as on The Ed Sullivan Show.

He also created puppets for series including Miss Peac h, the comic that was adapted as an animated segment on ABC preschool series Curiosity Shop , CBS kids show Captain Kangaroo and PBS’ Who’s Afraid

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