If you’ve ever seen a giant yellow bird and a large woolly mammoth-type creature roller-skating down the road together, it was probably Aloysius Snuffleupagus and his best friend, Big Bird.
The furry mammal, better known as Snuffy, came to Sesame Street during Season Three in 1971. His friendship with Big Bird thrived over the next 14 years. There was just one glitch: None of the adults could see Snuffy, so they thought he was Big Bird’s imaginary friend. This was frustrating for Big Bird and adults alike, and in 1985 (Season 17), the show’s creators decided to have Snuffy “become real” and be visible to everyone. They were concerned that the adults’ refusal to believe Big Bird would discourage children from telling their parents about their experiences.
It takes two Muppeteers to perform Snuffy: One is inside the front half and speaks Snuffy’s lines, and the other is inside the back half and does most of his dancing steps.
Martin Robinson, who performs Snuffy’s front end, says the character “kind of embraces the world with his heart.” And with Snuffy’s wide eyes and sweet personality, it’s no surprise that the world embraces him.
