Barney

''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).

Costume Actors

 * David Voss (1988–1990)
 * David Joyner (1991–2005)
 * Carey Stinson (1991–2013, 2019)
 * Josh Martin (1996–1998, 2006)
 * Maurice Scott (1997–2004)
 * Antwaun Steele (2000-2001, 2010-2011)
 * Patrick Mcalister (2003-2007)
 * Rick Starkweather (2003-2007)

Voice Actors

 * Bob West (1988–2000, 2005)
 * Alan Bruce (1994, understudy in Barney Live! in New York City)
 * David Franks (1996-1998, backup voice in Barney's Big Surprise)
 * Duncan Brannan (1998–2002)
 * Tim Dever (2000–2002)
 * Dean Wendt (2001–2014, 2019)
 * Unknown Stand-in (Barney Live! World Tour - A Celebration!)

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.
 * 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.