- This article is about the character. For the show, see here.
Barney the Dinosaur is a character and the main protagonist of the television series Barney & Friends, and its home video predecessor Barney & the Backyard Gang. A two hundred million year (two dinosaur years) old, six-foot (sometimes seven-foot) tall purple tyrannosaurus rex with a green belly and green spots on his back and his tail and yellow toes, he comes to life through a child's imagination, springing up from a doll to full size. In turn, Barney opens children's eyes to the joys of learning and discovery, to the wonders of make-believe, and to the beauty of unconditional love. Dubbed as the "Elvis for Toddlers" in the early days, he is best known for his silly and optimistic attitude.
His birthplace is Dallas, Texas (as he was created there by the creators), however, he lives and resides in one's imagination. His place of residence would later be expanded in the video Come on Over to Barney's House (2000).
Created by former teacher Sheryl Stamps Leach, Barney first appeared in the video titled The Backyard Show (1988), which was the first episode of the Barney & the Backyard Gang home video series.
David Voss originally performed as the costume for Barney from 1988 to 1990, and was succeeded by David Joyner, who would later define the costume mannerisms of the character. The character has been succeeded by many other costume performers during Joyner's time and after his resignation. The Barney character was originally voiced by Bob West from 1988 until 2000, but since his resignation has been voiced by many other voice actors, including Duncan Brannan, Tim Dever, and Dean Wendt.
Barney generally appears with his dino pals BJ, Riff and or Baby Bop, among others.
Barney was ranked at #3 for the highest paid entertainer, a list compiled by Forbes Magazine, in 1993-1994, following Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.
From 1996-1998, Barney ranked as Billboard's top children's artist.
Notes[]
- Barney was originally going to be a clown, a blanket, and a teddy bear until Sheryl Leach took her son to a dinosaur exhibit in winter 1988. He was also going to be a female sea serpent named Cecelia.
- Barney was originally going to be called "Cosby," "Colby," and "Danny," until Dennis DeShazer picked the final name.