Billy Barty
Billy Barty (born William John Bertanzetti; October 25, 1924 – December 23, 2000) was an American actor and activist. In adult life, he stood 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m) tall, due to cartilage–hair hypoplasia dwarfism. Because of his short stature, he was often cast in films opposite taller performers for comic effect. He specialized in outspoken or wisecracking characters. During the 1950s, he became a television actor, appearing regularly in the Spike Jones ensemble. In the early 1970s, he appeared often in a variety of roles in children's TV programs produced by Sid and Marty Krofft. As an activist for people with dwarfism, he founded the Little People of America organization in 1957.
You can find people similar to Billy Barty by visiting our lists Male actors with dwarfism and American vaudeville performers.
| Full name at birth | William John Bertanzetti
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| Claim to fame | Foul Play
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| Date of birth | 25 October 1924
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| Place of birth | Millsboro, Pennsylvania, USA
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| Date of death | 23 December 2000
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| Age | 76 (age at death)
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| Place of death | Glendale, California, USA
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| Cause of death | Heart Failure
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA
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| Occupation | Actor
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PERSONAL DETAILS
| Height | 3' 9" (114 cm)
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| Medical condition | Hair Hypoplasia Dwarfism
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
| Residence | Millsboro, Pennsylvania, USA
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- Founder of 'The Little People of America Inc', a philanthropic organization of which no one taller than 4 ft 6 inches can become a member.
- He hosted his own daily kids TV show, "Billy Barty's Big Show" (1963), where he entertained and informed his viewers and studio audiences in between reruns of The Three Stooges films. It was seen weekday afternoons on KTTV Ch.11 in Hollywood, California from the early to mid 1960s.
- Hospitalized overnight for injuries from a motor scooter accident during a parade. (28 May 1999)
- He was a noted crusader for the greater public knowledge and social acceptance of dwarfs and was angered at his contemporary with a similar condition, Hervé Villechaize, for hampering his efforts by publicly insisting that he (Villechaize) was a midget instead.
- Audio book: "Highlights from Within Reach", available only from the official web-site. (October 2005)
Billy Barty is known for his role in the film Life Stinks (1991) as Willy.
He is also known for his role in the film The Rescuers Down Under (1990) as Baitmouse (voice).
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