Ouyang Lianzi (歐陽蓮子, translated in the credits as "Ouyang Lien-Tze") played Xiao Foo in the Sesame Street special Big Bird in China. Her name in English is Lisa Ouyang.
In a 2004 interview, Caroll Spinney said the 5-year-old actress, who was hired in China, learned her English lines one at a time during the filming. "I would walk with her and repeat a sentence to her. She probably didn't know what she was saying, but she was very smart." To Spinney's delight, the girl sent him a message on a website for Big Bird fans.[1]
Ouyang and Spinney were reunited for the first time in 30 years for the documentary I Am Big Bird in January 2013.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
As of 2021, she was still corresponding with Debra Spinney. She was successful in the banking industry, mostly working in Beijing and Hong Kong.[11]
Sources
- ↑ *Rudeen, Kan Crain. "Big Bird's-Eye View of China Gets 2nd Look." Rocky Mountain News, February 14, 2004.
- ↑ Big news: just shared text messages with Lisa Ou: aka Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo!!!
- ↑ We're less than two weeks from interviewing BIG BIRD IN CHINA's Xiao Foo! Ludicrously pumped. #IAmBigBird pic.twitter.com/gPxTruRt
- ↑ Tomorrow, Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo arrives... we're putting together a photo album for her right now! #IAmBigBird
- ↑ Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo is en route! pic.twitter.com/4Zd4YgMA
- ↑ Headed to meet Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo and realizing she probably doesn't look the same as she did 30 years ago. Hmmm...
- ↑ In the lobby, anxiously awaiting "Xiao Foo's" arrival... #IAmBigBird
- ↑ Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo has grown up! #IAmBigBird pic.twitter.com/P6hKF7EU
- ↑ Currently scanning photos from Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo--these haven't been seen in the States before! #IAmBigBird
- ↑ Today we're filming the reunion between Big Bird & Xiao Foo for #IAmBigBird. They haven't seen each other since BB in China-30 years ago!
- ↑ EP#26: Debra Spinney/Jerry Stories (Dave Goelz)/"Zanzibar", Below the Frame with Matt Vogel, December 8, 2021.