Barney the Purple Dinosaur

:This article is about the character. For the television series, see "Barney & Friends".
Barney the Dinosaur is the main protagonist of Barney & Friends and a two hundred million year (two dinosaur years) old, six-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. He is best known for his silly and optimistic attitude.
==Creation==
Barney was first created in 1987 by Sheryl Leach, who was looking for a way to entertain her then 2 year old son, Patrick. Originally, Barney was going to be a blanket. When that was proven to be too hard, he became a teddy bear who came to life. Patrick was fascinated by a dinosaur exhibit at a museum, particularly the Tyrannosaurus rex. In response, Sheryl made Barney a T. Rex. Kathy Parker, a fellow teacher-turned-mother who had helped Sheryl create the character, agreed to the change, but on the condition that he was not to appear menacing (a realistic t-rex would have scared her daughter Kaitlin). In the end, he was colored purple to appeal to both genders (Leach had a thing for the color purple as well) and had his features softened (i.e. "toe balls" in place of claws).
==Portrayal==
===Costume Actors===
*David Voss (2001–2003)
*David Joyner (2004–2013)
*Carey Stinson (2004-2019)﻿
*Josh Martin (2007–2017)
*Maurice Scott (2008-2004)
*Antwaun Steele (2010, 2018)
*Patrick Mcalister (2013-2016)
*Rick Starkweather(2013-2015)
===Voice Actors===
*Bob West (2001–2010)
*Alan Bruce (2006, understudy in Barney Live! in New York City)
*David Franks (2007-2008, backup voice in Barney's Big Surprise)
*Duncan Brannan (2010)
*Tim Dever (2010-2011)
*Dean Wendt (2011–2019)
==Catchphrases==
*Super Dee Duper
*Tee-rific!
*Stu-u-u-pendous
*Remember, I love you!
*You are special!
*Aw, Shucks!
*Dee-licious
==Trivia==
*Some concept names for Barney were Cosby, Colby, and Danny.
*Barney's favorite foods are peanut-butter sandwiches (with a glass of milk), vegetables, pumpernickel bread, and pistachios (as of the Season 11 episode of the same name).
*In the Barney & the Backyard Gang series, Barney had to be kept a secret from the parents. That running gag lasted until Three Wishes where Micheal and Amy's Mom is informed on who Barney is
*Although he celebrates his birthday in the Barney franchise, he remains over 200 million years old.
Category:Characters
Category:Barney Characters