Whatever Happened to the Cast of Barney?

If you were a '90s kid, then you probably spent some time with a giant purple anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur named Barney. How “Super dee-duper” is that? Created in 1992 by Sheryl Leach, Barney would use dance routines and songs to teach educational concepts while maintaining a cheerful and friendly attitude. While the series ended in November 2010, there were still reruns aired between 2005 and 2020. The main cast was colorful, energetic, and cheerful and brought much joy and laughter to millions of children around the globe. But whatever happened to the cast of Barney? Let’s take a look at how the cast transformed after the Barney and Friends children's show.

Barney Voice Actors

Between 1992 and 2000, Barney was voiced by Robert Matthew West. From 2001 he provided voices for radio and television advertisements for Bud Light, Pepsi, KFC, Coors Light, Armour Meats, Frito-Lay, Texas Lottery, and Texas Monthly Magazine. He now works as a graphic designer for television and film.

During 2001 and 2013, Dean Wendt took over the voice of Barney. He has been a voice actor, host, and DJ. According to IMDb, Wendt can also do character voices like Obama, Elmo, Jack Nicholson, Bush, Bill Clinton, and Homer Simpson. Furthermore, he can speak in the following accents: Redneck, Texas, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Asian, and many more.

Barneys Costume Actors

Between 1991 and 2001, David Joyner and Carey Stinson wore the Barney suit. David Joyner later played the role of Hip Hop Harry. He also works as a tantric massage therapist outside of acting.

Carey Stinson wore the suit between 1991 and 2013. Apart from acting, Carey is currently a photographer. 

Baby Bop Voice Actresses

Between 1991 and 2010, Julie Johnson voiced Baby Bop. She also acted as a waitress in the action thriller Cage Fear (1991) and the music romance Pure Country (1992). Julie has portrayed roles in numerous musicals such as Sweeney Todd, Memphis, Look Homeward, Patsy Cline, Come Fly Away, and Honky Tonk Angel. Furthermore, she has also been in the films Pure Country and The Apostle.

During 1993 and 1994, Carol Farabee was the backup voice for Baby Bop when Julie was unavailable. Carol has also acted in the movie JFK (1991), acted in an episode of Dangerous Curves (1993), and played an I.C.U. nurse in an episode of Walker Texas Ranger (1997), and acted in one episode of Prison Break in 2007.

Baby Bop Costume Actors and Actresses

Throughout the series, Baby Bop had a few costume actors, each working on different shows and tours.

In 1991, Dao Knight was the first Baby Bop costume actress; however, she could not continue as her height was incorrect on her resume, and the costume had already been made. She also played Andy Panda in Woody Woodpecker's Amazing Journey (2008). Furthermore, she later appeared in 2019 to meet fans and talk about her time on Barney & the Backyard Gang at a GalaxyCon convention held in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1991, during the Barney & the Backyard series and Barney and Friends, Jenny Dempsey was the prop master. She later wore the costume for Baby Bop and then BJ until 1993.

The third Baby Bop costume performer was Jeff Ayers between 1993 and 2008. In 2008 he also took turns acting as Riff. Furthermore, he appeared in Marble City Madness (2011), The Indy Wrestler (2011), Cry For Blood (2011), and Sins and Secrets (2012).

Between 1996 and 1998, Ronald Lee Clark filled in as Baby Bop while Jeff was filming Barneys' Great Adventure in Canada. Furthermore, after Barney, he pursued his acting career in Weeds (2005), Kisses and Caroms (2006), Epic Movie (2007), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (2007), Beverly Hills 90210 (2008), Pit Boss (2010), Santas Dog (2012), and Mirror Mirror (2012).

Jennifer Romano acted as Baby Bop between 1997 and 2002. After working with Barney she spent more than five years as a police dispatcher.

Jill Nelson acted as Baby Bop between 1999 and 2000. She could not complete her tour of Barney’s Musical Castle due to neck complications.

Jennifer Kendall acted as Baby Bop between 2003 and 2008. In 2004, Jennifer married Dave Kendall, who played BJ. Jennifer also did voice acting for Little Einstein in 2005 and Woody Woodpeckers Colorful World LIVE in 2014.

Lauren Mayeux wore the costume of Baby Bop between 2007 and 2020. She has been a performer for various theme parks outside of Barney.

BJ Voice Actress

From 1993 to 2010, Patty Wirtz played the voice of BJ. Furthermore, she continued as a voice actress in Monsters, Inc. (2001), the comedy Under ConTroll (2019), the video game Phantom Doctrine (2018), and the video game My Loft (2021).

BJ Costume Actors

Like Baby Bop, BJ also had a few costume actors and actresses.

Jeff Brooks acted in The Ellen Burstyn Show, The Secret of My Success, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, The Bonfire of the Vanities, Almost There, and The Cosby Mysteries. Furthermore, during his role as BJ from 1994-2002, he acted in a few more series and films. After his role in Barney, he continued pursuing his acting career and played roles in Julia & Julia (2009), The Good Wife (2016), Wishful Whiskers (2017), and FBI: Most Wanted (2021).

Kyle Nelson wore BJ’s costume from 1997 to 2009. In 2008 he played a role in The Wild Man of Navidad. In recent years Kyle has been on the Spots of Love podcast and the Purple Roads podcast to discuss Barney.

Between 2003 and 2006, Dave Kendall played the role of BJ. He also did voice-overs for Woody Woodpecker's Colorful World LIVE in 2014.

Riff Voice Actor

Michaela Dietz voiced Riff between 2006 and 2011. She has continued to pursue her singing, acting, and voiceover career. She is known as the voice of Dolly Dalmatian on Disney’s 101 Dalmatian Street, Amethyst on the Cartoon Network television series Steven Universe and Steven Universe Future, Darryl McGee on The Ghost and Molly McGee, Danelda on the Cartoon Network series Mighty Magiswords, Baby Shark's Big Show, Star Trek: Prodigy, and many more.  Furthermore, this outstanding voice actress won the 2015, 2016, and 2017 BTVA Voice Acting Awards as well as the 2016 BTVA People’s Choice Voice Acting Awards. Michaela also has her own YouTube channel called WHAMMYBAR.

Riff Costume Actors

From 2008 -2011 Jerad Harris played Riff. What the original cast member is doing today is unknown

Children

There were over 100 children that appeared throughout the Barney series. The following have made notable appearances since their roles.

Danielle Vega

In seasons 4 to 6, Danielle Vega played the role of Kim in Barney. She has played in many films and TV shows, such as Betrayed at 17, So This is Christmas and Path of Redemption. Later, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her outstanding performance as Ceci Camay in East Los High.

Selena Gomez

In seasons 7 to 8, Selena Gomez played the role of Gianna in Barney from 2002. She is an American actress, singer, producer, and businesswoman. After signing with Disney, her first appearance was in 2006 in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. She then had a persistent role as Mikayla in (2007) in Hannah Montana. After that, between 2007 and 2012, she starred in Wizards of Waverly Place and The Wizards Return as the role of Alex. The famous pop star voiced Mavis in Hotel Transylvania and executive produced the TV series 13 Reasons Why. Today she is now playing the role of Mavis in Only Murders in the Building. Apart from her acting career, she has a successful singing career too. Selena is also the founder, chairwoman, and owner of Rare Beauty and also does a lot of charity work. According to Fandom, as of February 2023, she has won 150 awards and received 455 nominations.

Demi Lovato

In seasons 7 to 8, Demi Lovato played the role of Angela in Barney. She is an American actress, songwriter, and singer. After Barney, she starred in a short series called As the Bell Rings on the Disney Channel. She starred in the musical television films Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, playing the role of Mitchie Torres. From 2009 to 2011, she landed the leading role of Sonny Munroe in Sonny With a Chance. Like Selena, Demi has an outstanding singing career and has also been a judge on The X Factor USA. Furthermore, she has starred in the animated Smurfs: The Lost Village and Charming. In addition, she also directed, produced, and starred in the documentary Child Star. It is nominated for Favorite On Screen at the 2025 IHeartRadio Music Awards. According to Fandom Demi Lovato has won over 60 awards and received 191 nominations.

Debby Ryan

In season 10 of Barney, Debby Ryan played the role of Debby. She is an American actress and singer known for her roles as Jessie on Disney Channel and Bailey in The Suite Life on Deck. She also starred in the series Insatiable and the films What If… (2010), Radio Rebel (2012), Horse Girl (2020), The Opening Act (2020), Spin Me Round (2022), and Shortcomings (2023). Between 2008 and 2015, Debby Ryan won four awards and 11 nominations. 

 Madison Pettis

In season 10 of Barney, Madison Pettis played the role of Bridget. On the Disney Channel, she played the role of Sophie Martines in the series Cory in the House, Allie Brooks in the series Life with Boys, and Peyton Kelly in the film The Game Plan with Dwayne Johnson (2007). Madison has put a lot of work into her acting career and has played roles in the films Mostly Ghostly (2008), Seven Pounds (2008), Freestyle (2008), The Search for Santa Paws (2010), Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 & 3, Mostly Ghostly (2014), Do You Believe? (2015), He’s All That (2021), Margaux (2022) and Deltopia (2024). She has also done voice roles for television shows Phineas and Ferb, Jack and the Neverland Pirates, and The Lion Guard, to name a few. According to IMDb Madison Pettis and been nominated five times.

Jaren Lewison

In seasons 12 to 13, Jaren Lewison played the role of Joshua. His most notable role to date is in the main cast as Ben Gross in Never Have I Ever. He also starred in the TV movies Away and Back and Bad Fairy. Furthermore, in 2021, he received a nomination for the MTV Movie and TV award for Best Kiss in Never Have I Ever.

Whatever happened to the cast of Barney? Well, they have all faced new challenges from child stardom to adulthood in the real world. Some explored different paths outside of the entertainment industry, and others continued to pursue their acting careers.

As Barney would say, that’s “Super dee-duper,” Tee-rific, and remember, I love you!”

The image featured at the top of this post is ©MataFocus/Shutterstock.com.