Thomas Sanford served as a walk-around performer in several Sesame Street Live tours, from the premiere show in 1980 until 1986. As a puppeteer, he performed in the wedding finale sequence of The Muppets Take Manhattan, operating Sam the Eagle and Beth Bear [citation needed]. After that tour ended, he joined the cast of Around the World, in the roles of Big Bird, Herry Monster, and the pink Honker.