Ouyang Lianzi

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.*Rudeen, Kan Crain. "Big Bird's-Eye View of China Gets 2nd Look." Rocky Mountain News, February 14, 2004.
Ouyang and Spinney were reunited for the first time in 30 years for the documentary I Am Big Bird in January 2013.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/gPxTruRtTomorrow, Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo arrives... we're putting together a photo album for her right now! #IAmBigBirdBig Bird in China's Xiao Foo is en route! pic.twitter.com/4Zd4YgMAHeaded 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... #IAmBigBirdBig Bird in China's Xiao Foo has grown up! #IAmBigBird pic.twitter.com/P6hKF7EUCurrently scanning photos from Big Bird in China's Xiao Foo--these haven't been seen in the States before! #IAmBigBirdToday 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!
As of 2021, she was still corresponding with Debra Spinney. She was successful in the banking industry, mostly working in Beijing and Hong Kong.EP#26: Debra Spinney/Jerry Stories (Dave Goelz)/"Zanzibar", Below the Frame with Matt Vogel, December 8, 2021.
==Sources==
__NOWYSIWYG__
Category:Sesame Street Specials Actors