Barney Through the Years (2024)

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Barney Through the Years (1)

A Day At The Beach, The Backyard Show and Three Wishes1988-1990Dubbed as the "blue dog" costume, and internally known as B-001, this is Barney's first design, which is a far departure from later Barney designs by resembling more of a Tyrannosaurus Rex look. The body was made with reticulated foam and spray painted with a royal purple dye (which it made him look grey or blue on screen since a blue screen was used to film the first trilogy of videos). The suit's rough foam texture (mainly the stomach area) felt like sandpaper when trying to hug him and hot inside for the performer according to Brian Eppes (who played "Michael") when he made an appearance on the Purple Tales Podcast. This Barney costume was operated in a similar way to other full body puppets (one hand controlling his bottom jaw with a lever attached inside, and the other in an arm (although if both arms were required, the performer would simply bob the head). Barney also has a red tongue and a floppy snout (square shaped). He has eight spots on his back and three on his tail, the eyes and eyelids are also able to move and blink in some scenes. This costume appeared at public libraries and parties. Barney is performed by David Voss and voiced by Bob West (who used a deep, mature tone of voice). This costume also had several public appearances until November 1990, when it started to fall apart and look unrecognizable.

Barney Through the Years (2)

Waiting for Santa, Campfire Sing-Along, and Barney Goes To School1990-1992Internally known as B-002, Barney's eyes become larger and broader, his legs and stomach become rounder, his skin color changes to magenta/purple, and his mouth shrinks. This costume now has a new lighter foam body and is fleece-free. Barney's snout is no longer floppable. Also, while speaking, this version bobbles and shakes a lot more. He now has his current amount of spots (five on his back and three on his tail). Barney (voiced by Bob West) raises his voice slightly to appeal a friendlier tone since the original voice scared young audiences. This costume made just a few public appearances until January 1992. This is also the last costume that David Voss wore before his departure to the army.
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Barney in Concert and Rock With Barney and , Season 1 and 21991-1994Internally dubbed as B-1, this costume is now made out of Antron Fleece (Muppet/Puppet Fleece). The mouth mechanism is rare in Barney in Concert, almost not present. Unlike the previous two suits, Barney no longer has a tongue. The pupils are also smaller. Barney's stomach has no foam base near the bottom, and his tail gets a little shorter. His feet are given a redesign, appearing boxier, allowing for better movement for the actor inside, and the top of his head is lifted even more. Now, Barney is performed by David Joyner, who implemented the "bite bar" method, which is the costume performer biting down on a bar padded with a sponge attached to the inside of Barney's bottom jaw to nod his head, while giving access to both arms of the costume to move simultaneously.
  • 1991-1992: This costume would undergo repairs for Season One and Two of , the eyelids have been lowered midway, which included having a blinking mechanism (which hasn't been used since the Barney and The Backyard Gang on B-001 and B-002). The bottom of Barney's stomach comes to a triangular point at the bottom, matching up with the seams at the top of the hips. The body also is rounder. In some episodes, especially the earliest ones in production for the television series, Barney's voice sounds similar to his dry Backyard Gang voice.
  • 1992-1994: In season two of , the costume went through several tummy tucks and even had Barney's green belly replaced due to the green fabric yellowing at the armpits. The Antron Fleece (Muppet/Puppet Fleece) used here is fuzzier (Possibly not shaved as much as the final suit). Barney's snout is also slightly shorter, and his feet are rounder. His top tooth strip is taller. Barney's voice sounds similar to his dry Season 1 voice, but a little higher-pitched and sillier, making him more excitable. This costume is very nimble. It would continue to make a few other appearances until April 1994 such as a visit to London and the cover for Barney's Alphabet Zoo.

Barney Through the Years (6)

Imagination Island1994-1998Internally dubbed as B-6, this was the first costume to have Barney's arms permanently attached. In this costume, Barney becomes smoother again and brighter. His jaw and his nuzzle are square shaped as well as his teeth, especially with the bottom row becoming larger, and his body appears rounder. His tail gets a little less curly, making it a little shorter. The bottom of Barney's stomach also gets to a triangular point at the bottom again. The eyes appear much less sunken than the previous costumes, while the blinking mechanism remains. The toes on the feet appear larger than the costumes used previously and also appear shiny. This costume is also a prototype version of the Season 3 suit.
  • Though he seems to retain his 1993 voice in Imagination Island, Barney's voice then becomes louder and more cheerful beginning with Barney Live! in New York City, but the excitable silliness has been dialed down slightly. Apart from said projects, this was also used in photographed books, VHS covers, various promotional material onward, and Kids For Character. By then, the mouth could appear less angular than before and much rounder.

Barney Through the Years (7)

Season 3This outfit is a duplicate of several that will be used this season. Barney's tail gets less curly at the end than in the previous costumes. Barney's eyes grow larger and closer together. During this season, he rarely blinks. At the bottom, Barney's stomach grows a little rounder. Furthermore, his feet grow less square, his toes move closer to the rubber soles and seem smaller than the previous costume, and his hips and top of his head get rounder.

This was also used in the VHS cover of "It's Time For Counting", as well as various books and promotional material onward, very much like its double and the previous costume.

Barney Through the Years (8)

Barney SongsAnother double for season three. The difference between this costume and other is in the face. All of Barney's features are squarer (particularly his lips), and his brow is closer to his eyes, which do not blink but move from left to right. The pupils are bigger, and the eyes are deeper set. Barney's eyes get wider, and his mouth expands somewhat toward the chin later on.

An early prototype was used as a double for quick entrances and exits "Barney in New York City".

This costume was always used during the "Barney Says" segments for Season 3 and would also appeared on the DVD menus of "Let's Play School", Barney's Night Before Christmas, More Barney Songs and Rhyme Time Rhythm, It would also be used on Season 1 and Season 2 segments on the Simple English versions of the show having this costume for it's first three seasons.

Barney Through the Years (9)

Barney's Adventure Bus1996-1997This a prototype of the season four costume, complete with Barney's feet from the season three costumes. The color appears paler in this version.

It would later be used with the feet of the actual season four suit

Barney Through the Years (10)

Barney's Good Day, Good NightThis costume allows Barney's eyes to move left or right. While this function was present in previous costumes, it's at its most noticeable here, due to the eyes not being as sunken in.

The costume was also seen in First Day of School, the first episode of season four, as well as the "Barney Says" intro and outro from seasons 4-6.

Barney Through the Years (11)

Oh, Brother...She's My Sister

1997–1998A double for the fourth season. This costume is very similar to the one above and below. Barney's neck becomes skinnier, and his body becomes slightly like a pear shape. His head is also wider. His teeth are also square-shaped and narrow. His eyes are much smaller (like the suit from Barney's Adventure Bus and Camp Wannarunaround) and appear to only be pointed to the right.

This suit would also have the season three feet during Barney's Halloween Party and the floating sequence in Barney in Outer Space.

Barney Through the Years (12)

It's Time For CountingBarney's reddish-purple color becomes a little darker, his colors overall becoming stronger and vibrant than before, and his face gets a bit of a redesign, with the eyes becoming bigger and fuller than the last costume, and the head shrunken down slightly and becoming even rounder.

The blinking mechanism is still present, but it is not as noticeable than in previous seasons (especially when Barney's jumping up and down). The toe balls on Barney's feet are also bigger.

From Seasons 4-6, this costume was always used during the "Barney Says" segments.

Due to Bob West having to dub over Duncan Brannan's lines following the production of "Barney's Great Adventure," Barney's voice becomes slightly but considerably deeper, especially around the time Josh Martin was in the costume due to David Joyner was also went in production for the film as well.

Barney Through the Years (13)

Barney's Great AdventureThis costume was used in the feature film, Barney's Great Adventure. The eyes and eyelids were moveable via remote control to add expression to Barney's relatively stiff face.

Also, to further accommodate the added expression, the teeth are shorter and thinner. Barney's feet are more square and more boxier, and his toes are a littler larger and slightly separated than the costume from the fourth season, and his tail starts to get slightly more curved/curly at the end.

The head is also slightly rounder, and Barney's eyes are slightly bigger and fuller to fit the added expression.

This costume was used in “Oprah Winfrey” along with Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House, Steve and Blue from Blue’s Clues, the Teletubbies, Big Bird and Baby Bear from Sesame Street, Bananas in Pajamas to celebrate the septuplets 1st Birthday.

Barney Through the Years (14)

Barney's Night Before Christmas1998–2001A slight makeover of Barney's face based from "Barney's Great Adventure" costume. His mouth is now rounder and his eyes are smaller. In magenta, he grows brighter. The blinking mechanism is no longer seen.(especially when Barney's jumping up and down).


When the suit makes his first appearance in the Season 5 premiere, Books Are Fun!, T Barney's face resembles the look from the first Season 3 Barney costume.

This costume was used throughout the "Barney's Open House" and "Barney's Zoo Tour" US tours. It can still be seen at public appearances in the United Kingdom.

Barney Through the Years (15)

My Party with Barney1998-1999The double costume used in Season 5 has Barney's eyelids sightly higher and the sides of the head and his mouth are bit wider.

Barney Through the Years (16)

Publicity shot for

"Stick With Imagination!", from Season 6 of Barney & Friends

1999-2002The costume similar to the earlier Barney (above) used before it. This costume makes him a little taller. Barney's teeth are thicker and the bottom jaw wrinkles noticeably when at rest. His eyes also become slightly bigger and fuller than the previous suit, though not to the extent to the suit from the movie.

This particular suit's mouth is much wider and angular and the stomach doesn't come to a point at the seams, making the body appear rounder.

This costume's face is compared to the double Season 5 suit

Barney Through the Years (17)

More Barney Songs

With the double costume, Barney has a slightly slimmer body, bigger eyes, shorter and smaller teeth, and a slightly smaller jaw.

In Season 6, both costumes were used. Due to Bob West's retirement from the voice role, Tim Dever and Duncan Brannan provided Barney's speaking/singing role in a few Home Videos.

This costume was also used throughout the "Barney's Open House" and "Barney's Zoo Tour" US tours and in 2002 music video of "We are Family".

Barney Through the Years (18)

Barney's Pajama Party2000-2001The costume is similar to those used in "Season 4" and "Barney's Musical Castle." He also has a pear-shaped head that gradually becomes smaller. His feet are smaller and his legs are longer. This video's performer was Antwaun Steele.

Barney Through the Years (19)

Promotional shot for the Season 7 of Barney & Friends2001-2005Barney's teeth become higher and thinner, and his eyes get bigger. Additionally, his head becomes a little bit rounder and narrower. Barney's tail is likewise shorter and less curled towards the end.

Now, Barney is voiced by Dean Wendt and performed by Carey Stinson. Barney's voice is still a little dry and deep in Season 7, as Dean Wendt tries to replicate Bob West's performance, but now, he's given a more nasal voice.

In the early episodes of Season 9, the costume had become more taller, and you will be able to see Barney's ankles. This is the only costume that has appeared for three seasons, Seasons 7-9.

This costume was also used in "Let's Play with Barney" segment from Seasons 10-11, the Sprout Launch Party and the special delivery short, appearing with Bear from "Bear in the Big Blue House" to promote the DVD "We are Family: A Musical Message For All.”

This shares a resemblance to the Season 4 and 6 costumes.

Barney Through the Years (20)

The Land of Make Believe (video)2003-2012Barney's head receives a complete makeover, including a slightly bigger and more angular head shape, larger eyes, a larger mouth, teeth that resemble squares, and less rounded hips. His eyelids are now flatter. His colour also gets brightened (this especially applies to the home videos filmed on location). Barney also raises his voice a little bit.

Barney's hips have slightly rounded out, his eyes have shifted somewhat higher and his toes are larger and separate in most of the Season 9 episodes, The Land of Make Believe, Let's Go to the Farm", Can You Sing That Song?, Best Fairy Tales, and this was also used in notable appearances.

Sometimes his mouth would appear rounder and smaller and his eyes are slightly smaller in size

He shares a resemblance to the costume used in Barney's Pajama Party and the 1995 suits from A Day in the Park With Barney.

Barney Through the Years (21)

Publicity photo for

"Singing", from Season 10 of Barney & Friends

2006-2007Similar to the costume from Season 9, but with slightly downward-facing eyes and a slightly rounder head. In comparison to the costumes before it, Barney's toes are split, and his feet look longer and considerably boxier.


Barney also appear slightly taller, and his magenta/purple color is lighter.

Barney Through the Years (22)

Let's Go to the Fire House2007-2008Compared to the previous costume, Barney's mouth gets rounder and his teeth grow significantly higher.

Barney's eyes and eyelids were slightly twisted toward one another in "Let's Go to the Fire House" video.

Barney Through the Years (23)

Dino-Mite Birthday2007–2009This costume resembles the one above a little bit, but Barney's head is bigger and rounder, and his eyelids are pushed up a bit. Additionally, the teeth get thinner.

Barney Through the Years (24)

Celebrating Around The World

This is another season to have a double costume. Barney's eyelids been downward and rotated a bit toward each other.

Barney Through the Years (25)

The Magic Lamp: A Travel Adventure2007-2008This costume was only used for one year. It includes more of a squarer nose, and connected ankles, only in the back. This costume is even given a lighter shade of magenta/purple.

The Reluctant Dragon: A Fairy Tale Adventure and at the end of The Misbegotten Moon: A Space Adventure, the eyelids are noticeably downwards, making the costume similar to the double Season 11 costume.

The eyelids are visibly downwards in "The Reluctant Dragon: A Fairy Tale Adventure" and at the ending of "The Misbegotten Moon: A Space Adventure", making the costume comparable to the double Season 11 costume.

Barney Through the Years (26)

Bienvenido, Barney: Mexico / Let's Go on Vacation2008-2019This costume has rounder feet, entirely attached ankles, a smaller mouth, and a shorter tail to provide the performer with better footing within the costume.

Carey Stinson is the only person who can wear this costume because it was made just for his measurements.

The costume is attached to the feet but the soles of Barney's feet are separated from it. Stinson's shoes are linked to the soles to make entering simpler.

Barney Through the Years (2024)

FAQs

Why did they cancel Barney? ›

Despite being a famous '90s cartoon, Barney & Friends was finally discontinued after a raft of lawsuits filed by the program's makers as a consequence of violent video using the purple dinosaur started to surface. This graphic content over time gained more popularity than the actual show.

What is the true story behind Barney? ›

Barney was created by Sheryl Leach in the late 1980s as entertainment for her son, Patrick. She originally sold VHS tapes of the big guy, until he was picked up by public television and became an enormous hit as well as, of course, an enormous punching bag.

What was Barney's original color? ›

When Barney first started back in 1988, he was more of a true purple! If you watch the 1st 3 videos of Barney & The Backyard Gang, he appeared to be more bluer than the purple they've wanted him to be!

What did the original Barney look like? ›

The body was made with reticulated foam and spray painted with a royal purple dye (which it made him look grey or blue on screen since a blue screen was used to film the first trilogy of videos).

Why was Barney hated so much? ›

Reasons cited for the hostility also include the purple dinosaur's voice (described by many parents as "dopey"), lack of varied facial expressions other than a toothy smile, and personality (described as being "self-centered"), as well as how the children in the series interact with the dinosaur characters.

Why did Barney and Robin get a divorce? ›

The final season revolves around their wedding weekend. After much doubt and soul-searching, they get married in "The End of the Aisle". The series finale, "Last Forever", reveals that, after three years of marriage, they get divorced because Robin's work schedule prevents them from spending any time together.

Why did Barney put himself in jail? ›

There is an incredible public scene where Gomer arrests Barney for making a U-turn. He is returning the favor. Barney refuses to pay the fine and ends up in jail. One of the funniest episodes ever.

Did Barney go to jail for swearing? ›

It's just a rumor with no basis in fact at all. Some people love to start salacious rumors about beloved children's shows for some reason.

What was Barney convicted of? ›

After being charged with sexually abusing six young boys in California, Barney pled guilty to one count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and served less than 12 months in jail. A few years later, Barney moved to Las Vegas where he allegedly seduced his next young victim.

Is Barney a boy or a girl? ›

Barney
Gender:Male
Age:200,000,000 year (2 dinosaur years) old
Professional Statistics
Clique:Trouble maker
14 more rows

How heavy was the Barney suit? ›

Of the purple suit, Joyner says, “Barney is about 70 pounds, and it can get over 120 degrees inside.

What kind of dinosaur is bj? ›

Meet BJ! He is a yellow Protoceratops and Baby Bop's older brother. He always wears a red baseball cap and sneakers.

Was the original Barney black? ›

David Joyner, the man behind the beloved purple dinosaur, was Black. We all remember Barney from our childhood (or from our own children), but like many other popular children's characters, we wouldn't recognize the face behind the costume.

What ethnicity is Barney? ›

According to Britishsurnames.co.uk Barney is clearly a British ethnic surname. With 99.01% of the people named Barney in the British Isles, England claims 97.93% of the families while Ireland claims . 72%, Scotland.

What is the backstory of Barney? ›

History and development

Barney & Friends was created by Sheryl Leach of Dallas, Texas. She came up with the idea of a children's program after noticing that her son outgrew Wee Sing Together, and then recognizing that there were no videos to appeal to her son.

Why did Barney quit? ›

The classic reason given for his departure always has to do with Knotts seeking a career in the movies. He'd have to leave Mayberry for Hollywood, and so his time on the show came to an end.

What happened to the Barney actor? ›

Barney & Friends

Joyner continued to portray as Barney's costume performer until 2001. In April 2001, Joyner left the television show, which is taped in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing his acting career outside the costume.

Why is Barney getting a reboot? ›

“In creating the new series, it was important to us that we properly reflect the world that kids today live in so that the series can deliver meaningful lessons about navigating it,” said Fred Soulie, SVP and General Manager of Mattel Television.

When did Barney leave the show? ›

He appeared in the first five seasons (1960–65) as a main character, and, after leaving the show towards the end of season five, made a few guest appearances in the following three color seasons (1965–68). He also appeared in the first episode of the spin-off series Mayberry R.F.D.

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