Bill Barretta
Encyclopedia
Bill Barretta has been performing with the Muppets since 1991, when he performed the body of family father Earl Sinclair on Dinosaurs
. He later developed several new characters on Muppets Tonight
, including Pepe the King Prawn
, Johnny Fiama
and Bobo the Bear
.
Along with having his own Muppet characters, Bill has taken over several of Jim Henson
's roles, such as Dr. Teeth, Rowlf the Dog
, Mahna Mahna
and Swedish Chef
, and briefly took over Jerry Nelson
's role of Lew Zealand
.
His film debut as a principal puppeteer was in Muppet Treasure Island
as Clueless Morgan.
In addition, Bill has produced two of the Muppets' television movies, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
. Bill also provides additional voices on Kim Possible
. He is a native of Yardley, Pennsylvania
.
Bill is the younger brother of the children's book author and illustrator, Gene Barretta
.
Dinosaurs (TV series)
Dinosaurs is an American family sitcom that was originally broadcast on ABC from April 26, 1991 to July 20, 1994. The show, about a family of anthropomorphic dinosaurs, was produced by Michael Jacobs Productions and Jim Henson Television in association with Walt Disney Television and Buena Vista...
. He later developed several new characters on Muppets Tonight
Muppets Tonight
Muppets Tonight is a live-action/puppet television series created by Jim Henson Productions and featuring The Muppets. Much like the "MuppeTelevision" segment of The Jim Henson Hour, Muppets Tonight was a continuation of The Muppet Show, set in a television studio, rather than a theater.-Format:The...
, including Pepe the King Prawn
Pepe the King Prawn
Pepe the King Prawn is one of The Muppets, performed by Bill Barretta. He was first introduced in the 1996 TV show Muppets Tonight. At the time, he would sing along with his partner, Seymour the Elephant, although neither of the two had any real musical talent.Pepe ditched his partner and began a...
, Johnny Fiama
Johnny Fiama
Johnny Fiama is a Muppet that is modeled after Frank Sinatra. He has a monkey bodyguard named Sal Minella. Performed by Bill Barretta, he made his first appearance in Muppets Tonight. Johnny's most recent film is The Muppets' Wizard of Oz with Sal Manilla yet again...
and Bobo the Bear
Bobo the Bear
Bobo the Bear first appeared in The Muppets Take Manhattan, but as a different puppet from the current one. He is notable as a more realistic portrayal of the animal on which he is based, compared to the stylized appearance of Muppet mainstay Fozzie Bear.Bobo has been in several Muppet films as a...
.
Along with having his own Muppet characters, Bill has taken over several of Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
's roles, such as Dr. Teeth, Rowlf the Dog
Rowlf the Dog
Rowlf the Dog is a Muppet character, a scruffy brown dog of indeterminate breed with a rounded black nose and long floppy ears. He was created by Jim Henson....
, Mahna Mahna
Mah Nà Mah Nà
"Mah Nà Mah Nà" is a popular song written by Piero Umiliani. It originally appeared in the Italian film Sweden: Heaven and Hell . It was a minor radio hit in the U.S...
and Swedish Chef
Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef is a Muppet that appeared on The Muppet Show. He was operated by Jim Henson and Frank Oz simultaneously and is now puppeteered by Bill Barretta.-Character:...
, and briefly took over Jerry Nelson
Jerry Nelson
Jerry Nelson is an American Muppet puppeteer, known for his wide range of characters, singing abilities, and his frequent partnership with Richard Hunt.-Early years:...
's role of Lew Zealand
Lew Zealand
Lew Zealand is a Muppet character who's name is a play on the Oceanian country of New Zealand. Performed by Jerry Nelson, he has an obsession for throwing fish. His thrown fish are unique in that they return to him once thrown. In the 1984 movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan, he appears at Scooter's...
.
His film debut as a principal puppeteer was in Muppet Treasure Island
Muppet Treasure Island
Muppet Treasure Island is a 1996 American musical film based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. It is the fifth feature film to star The Muppets and was directed by Jim Henson's son Brian Henson....
as Clueless Morgan.
In addition, Bill has produced two of the Muppets' television movies, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is a 2002 television film that aired on NBC on November 29, 2002. The film is directed by Kirk Thatcher, written by Tom Martin and Jim Lewis and stars the Muppets and was filmed at Lionsgate Studios. The film revolves a plot similar to "It's A Wonderful...
and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz is a 2005 musical telefilm directed by Kirk Thatcher and starring Ashanti and The Muppets. The film was produced by Bill Barretta and written by Debra Frank, Steve L. Hayes, Tom Martin, and Adam F...
. Bill also provides additional voices on Kim Possible
Kim Possible
Kim Possible is an American animated television series about a teenage crime fighter who has the task of dealing with worldwide, family, and school issues every day. The show is action-oriented, but also has a light-hearted atmosphere and often lampoons the conventions and clichés of the...
. He is a native of Yardley, Pennsylvania
Yardley, Pennsylvania
Yardley is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The small community of Yardley is bordered by the Delaware River and Ewing, New Jersey on the east, and by Lower Makefield Township on the north, west, and south...
.
Bill is the younger brother of the children's book author and illustrator, Gene Barretta
Gene Barretta
Gene Barretta is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator, animator and character designer. He graduated from New York University: Tisch School of Arts with a BFA in film studies. He currently lives with his family outside of Philadelphia...
.
Career
- Bill attended St. Mary's Hall-Doane AcademySt. Mary's Hall-Doane AcademyDoane Academy is a coeducational private day school located in Burlington, New Jersey. Founded in May 1837 by Bishop George Washington Doane. Doane Academy was originally an all-girls boarding school, predating Mount Holyoke College by several months...
in Burlington, New JerseyBurlington, New JerseyBurlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
, eventually becoming a carpenterCarpenterA carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
. - Bill met Brian HensonBrian HensonBrian Henson is an Academy Award-winning puppeteer, director, producer, and technician. The son of puppeteers Jane and Jim Henson, Brian was born in New York City, New York....
while they were both working at Sesame PlaceSesame PlaceSesame Place is an American theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. It derives its theme from the Sesame Street television program and characters like Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Ernie, and Bert. It includes a variety of rides, shows, and water attractions suited to very young children...
.