Not Easy Being Green? Try Yellow on for Size

New documentary tells the story of Caroll Spinney, the man inside Big Bird.

If hope is the thing with feathers, as Emily Dickinson wrote, Caroll Spinney is one of the most hopeful creatures on the planet.

Since 1969 Spinney has embodied Sesame Street's Big Bird-- all six-thousand feathers of him-- infusing him with a gentleness that has made the giant yellow fowl one of the most popular characters in children's entertainment. Everyone knows Big Bird; now Spinney's story is being told in the documentary "I Am Big Bird: The Carol Spinney Story."

Spinney overcame a childhood of abuse and bullying, maintaining a sunny disposition that is an inseparable part of Big Bird's identity.  The puppeteer, now 81, continues to perform as Big Bird, and as another Sesame Street favorite, Oscar the Grouch.

Spinney with the late Muppets creator Jim Henson. Photo courtesy Copper Pot Films

Dave LaMattina and Chad N. Walker produced and directed the film, which the New York Times praises as "forthright and engaging throughout."  

Spinney with the other indelible character he embodies, Oscar the Grouch. Photo courtesy Copper Pot Films

The film is now available on demand, and is playing at IFC Center in New York. It opens in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadephia Boston, Seattle and other cities next week.

'#IAmBigBird: The Caroll Spinney Story' is now available to rent or OWN on @iTunesMovies! http://t.co/JbEjGUXmRa pic.twitter.com/0dK75k3tgV

— Tribeca Film (@TribecaFilm) May 8, 2015

Do yourself a favor and download #IAmBigBird on iTunes or Amazon immediately. It's so, so important and so well put together. Don't miss it.

— Ryan Dosier (@RyanDosier) May 5, 2015