The evolution of Pino.

Image As seen in / Year Notes





1 of 3 Add photo Sesamstraat Season 1

(1976-1977) The original Pino started out as a big, clumsy, dopey bird with a Belgian accent. The puppet was designed and built by Ton Hasebos. Until 1999, it was the only Pino puppet that had Big Bird-like rings around his legs. This version lasted only the first season. The character was performed by Dirk Grijspeirt.

Sesamstraat Season 2

(1977-1978) This version was created and built by Leo N. Cahn and was not as heavy as the first version. His feathers are a paler blue than the first Pino costume and his eyes become bigger and more realistic. His head also gets a slight trim. The character was performed by Theo Joling during this season.

Sesamstraat Season 3

(1978-1980) The top of Pino's head gets a slight trim and his eyes are given a more cartoonlike expression. Sometime later, his eyes were re-modified again with bigger pupils. His voice here is performed by Bert Plagman.



1 of 2 Add photo Sesamstraat Season 4

(1980-1982) Pino gets a new, larger head with white feathers under his eyes and his pupils return to being blue, although they are still cartoonlike. His voice, provided by Erik J. Meijer, is somewhat similar to Bert Plagman's previous Pino, but with a bit more vocal weight added.







1 of 4 Add photo Sesamstraat Season 6

(1982-1991) Pino is redesigned for the first time by CTW and the Muppet Workshop. He loses some weight and his white, fluffy belly. He gains height and a long body which makes his legs appear short. Also white feathers around his beak and all around his eyes, making him look more like an adult. The pupils return to being black, cartoonlike eyes, his beak is longer and pointier, and he gains a tongue. Starting in 1984, Leo Dijkgraaf gave the character a lighter and younger tone in his voice.

Sesamstraat Season 15

(1991-1999) A slightly updated version of Pino is made by Chuck Fawcett in 1989 for puppeteer Renée Menschaar, who has become his regular performer ever since. Pino's head has a slightly different facial expression, without white feathers around the beak. His feathers are a richer blue and cover less of his legs. He is also a bit shorter, making him considerably more child-like.

Sesamstraat Season 23

(1999-present) In order to look younger and childlike again, Pino has now a shorter beak, yellow feathers around his eyes as opposed to white feathers, and colorful feathers on top of his head. His black eyes revert to blue; these do not last, as they are reverted to black several years later. This is also the first Pino puppet since 1976 to have Big Bird-like rings around his legs. This Pino puppet was also built by Chuck Fawcett.

Alternate Pino Puppets and Characters