I think it’s completely cool that Caroll Spinney, the man who plays Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, continues to voice and puppet these characters at the age of 72. Sesame Street has been airing since 1969. So there must be some kind of record for “Longest Puppeteer” somewhere.
Caroll is a great guy and I am glad to be his friend. I don’t know about a record for longest puppeteer, but he has deservedly earned some prestigious awards like the one you linked to, as well as the Living Legend award (not to mention four Emmys and two Oscars).