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Home · Culture

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By Crystal Tate · Updated December 6, 2020

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.

On Wednesday, journalist Chris Snyder tweeted about his interview with David Joyner, the Black man behind the iconic purple Barney costume. Joyner played Barney for 10 years from 1991 to 2001.

I interviewed David Joyner who played #Barney the dinosaur for 10 years https://t.co/RlfckxUMH4 @djoyner22 pic.twitter.com/hIpBm1LojH

— Chris Snyder (@tofer) June 2, 2017

In a video interview for Business Insider, Joyner said, “Being Barney was never an accident. I was supposed to do this character.” Prior to donning the costume, Joyner actually worked as a software analyst for Texas Instruments and even as a live mannequin. As a kid, Joyner revealed that he wanted to be on TV.

“I would stand in front of the television and basically lip sync.”

Twitter went wild when they learned that 53-year-old Joyner was the man behind Barney.

https://twitter.com/DJTriumph/status/872514644346273792

 

https://twitter.com/itskera/status/872556948025217026

 

barney the dinosaur played barney the dinosaur. idk who this imposter is but dont ever try to lie to me like that again https://t.co/xP3XJz7etn

— gabe 🐉 (@gabrielcerveza) June 7, 2017

 

I watched Barney & Hip-Hop Harry faithfully. This man is an artist with the mascot suit. https://t.co/EkSprLCMH8

— Emanuel Dixson (@TheHeroes_HERO) June 7, 2017

 

The Barney of my childhood. I salute you @DJoyner22 https://t.co/NmbMYxAOIK

— Dimplez 🇳🇬 (@Dimplez) June 7, 2017

 

After Barney & Friends, Joyner made guest appearances on several shows including Shameless, The Young and the Restless and That ‘70s Show, and now he’s working on Hip Hop Harry, a children’s live action show on YouTube

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