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David Voss has edited on the Barney Wiki

David John Voss (born June 6, 1968) is an American actor and was the first costume actor for Barney.

Career[]

Pre-Barney[]

Voss appeared as Louie the Lightning Bug for the Dallas Power & Light company, as well as Heartly the Rabbit for Family Skills Inc.

Barney[]

Barney & The Backyard Gang[]

While in high school, Voss was in a mime troupe. Voss eventually heard that auditions were being held for a project called "Danny the Dinosaur". The auditions were seeking dancers, mimes and or puppeteers. Due to his background, Voss auditioned as a mime. His audition was titled "A Day in the Life of Danny the Dinosaur" and Voss showed the crew how Danny would move in certain activities throughout the day. Voss eventually got a callback and got casted as the main character, who was eventually renamed "Barney" for Barney & The Backyard Gang.[1] Voss portrayed Barney for the first six videos of the series. Voss mentioned he would get bruises while wearing the Barney costume during filming.

In 1990, Voss entered the military as a Cavalry Scout where he was based in Mannheim, Germany. He was succeeded in the role by David Joyner.

Barney & Friends[]

During Voss' time away from the franchise, he would keep in touch with Penny Wilson, who was the choreographer for Barney & The Backyard Gang and the succeeding series Barney & Friends.

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Barney the Dinosaur with David Voss, the original body actor.

After his service, Wilson asked Voss to be her assistant for the franchise. When returned to the franchise he would do various crew work such as being an assistant performance director, character wrangler and or a dance captain for various live shows. He would also portray various small cameo roles for the franchise as well.

Post-Barney[]

Voss appeared in the 2022 limited documentary streaming television series I Love You, You Hate Me, recounting a bit of time with the franchise.

Credits[]

Barney[]

Year
Title
Role
Notes
1988-1990
Barney & The Backyard Gang
Barney
Costume Role
1994
Barney Live! In New York City
The Winkster
1996-1998
Barney's Big Surprise
Bunny / Duck / Clown / Clarence the Goose

  • Voss would also portray Professor Tinkerputt in the event that Barry Pearl was unable to[2] alongside Old King Cole in any event DeWayne Hambrick couldn't perform.[3]
  • During the second leg of the tour Voss wasn't performing as he was the dance captain; this role allowed him to be the understudy of all the dancers in any event someone couldn't perform.
1999
What a World We Share
Mime

2000
Barney's Super Singing Circus
Clown / Teddy Bear

1999-2001
Barney's Musical Castle
The Sign
Uncredited
2003-2004
Barney's Colorful World!
Elephant / Polar Bear / Starfish

2006
Barney Live! - The Let's Go Tour
Muffin / Boy Robot / Blue Jay

2007
Barney & Friends
Litterbot / Monkey
Episode: "Litterbot",

Episode: "Riff's Musical Zoo"

  1. Season three of Barney & Friends (assistant to performance director)
  2. Barney Songs (assistant to performance director)
  3. Barney's Talent Show (assistant to performance director)
  4. Barney's Fun & Games (assistant to performance director)
  5. Barney's 1-2-3-4 Seasons (assistant to performance director)
  6. Once Upon A Time (assistant to performance director)
  7. Barney's Sense-Sational Day (assistant to performance director)
  8. Barney's Musical Scrapbook (assistant to performance director)
  9. Barney's Big Surprise (dance captain / casting manager)
  10. Barney's Musical Castle (dance captain)
  11. Barney's Rhyme Time Rhythm (assistant to performance director)
  12. Barney's Colorful World! (goodwill manager) / (public relations)
  13. Can You Sing That Song? (assistant performance director)
  14. Barney Live! - The Let's Go Tour (public relations)[4]
  15. Let's Go to the Firehouse (character wrangler)
  16. Celebrating Around The World (character wrangler)
  17. Top 20 Countdown (assistant performance director)

Videos[]

Interview[]

References[]

  1. Purple Roads Episode Nine | David Voss and Rick Starkweather January 31, 2020 Retrieved October 13, 2022
  2. Barry Pearl | Professor Tinkerputt | Spots of Love! Podcast | 21 June 1, 2024 Retrieved June 2, 2024
  3. David Voss | The Stan Lee of Barney | Spots of Love! Podcast | 28 September 28, 2024 Retrieved September 30, 2024
  4. Music and love are everywhere as Barney and friends come to town November 2, 2006 Retrieved October 13, 2022
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