Billy Barty 626331 220993855 2008-06-22T15:45:17Z JasonAQuest 5865511 move main claim to notability to intro {{Infobox actor | name = Billy Barty | image = Billy Barty 2.jpg | caption = | birthname = William John Bertanzetti | birthdate = {{Birth date|1924|10|25}} | birthplace = [[Millsboro, Pennsylvania]] | deathdate = {{Death date and age|2000|12|23|1924|10|25}} | deathplace = | restingplace = | restingplacecoordinates = | occupation = [[Film actor]] | yearsactive = | spouse = Shirley Bolingbroke (1962- His death) | children = | awards = }} '''Billy Barty''' ([[October 25]], [[1924]]–[[December 23]], [[2000]]), born '''William John Bertanzetti''', was an American [[film]] [[actor]], and one of the most famous 20th century people with [[dwarfism]]. == Biography == Barty, an [[Italian American]], was born in [[Millsboro, Pennsylvania|Millsboro]], [[Pennsylvania]]. He was a member of the gang in the Mickey McGuire serial of silent shorts (a children's comedy series of the 1920s, similar in tone to the "Our Gang"/"Little Rascals" comedies, starring a very young Mickey Rooney in the title role). In ''[[The Gold Diggers of 1933]]'', a nine-year-old Barty appeared as a baby who escapes from his perambulator. Because of his stature, much of his work consisted of bit parts and gag roles, although he was featured prominently in ''[[W.C. Fields and Me]]'' (1976), ''[[Foul Play]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' (both 1978), ''[[Under the Rainbow]]'' (1981), ''[[Night Patrol]]'' (1984), ''[[Legend (film)|Legend]]'' (1985), ''[[Masters of the Universe#The Movie|Masters of the Universe]]'' (1987), ''[[Willow (film)|Willow]]'' (1988), ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]'' (1989), ''[[Life Stinks]]'' and ''[[Radioland Murders]]'' (1994). Barty was known for his boundless energy and enthusiasm for any productions in which he appeared. He also performed a remarkable impression of pianist [[Liberace]]. He performed with the [[Spike Jones]] musical comedy show on stage and television. In 1983, Barty supplied the voice for [[Figment]] in [[EPCOT Center]]'s [[Journey Into Imagination]] dark ride. He subsequently supplied a reprisal for the second incarnation, though very brief. Barty was a noted activist for the promotion of rights for others with dwarfism. He was disappointed with contemporary [[Hervé Villechaize]]'s insistence that they were "[[midget]]s" instead of actors with dwarfism. Barty founded the [[Little People of America]] to help with his activism. Barty was married to Shirley Bolingbroke of [[Malad City, Idaho]], from 1962 until his death at age 76. They had two children, Lori Neilson and TV/film producer and director [[Braden Barty]]. Barty and his family belonged to [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. [http://www.mormonstoday.com/001229/A2Barty01.shtml] A tribute book on his life was published in December 2002. ''Within Reach: An Inspirational Journey into the Life, Legacy and Influence of Billy Barty'' was produced by Barty's nephew, Michael Copeland, and Michael's wife, Debra. Until the time of his death, Barty was a beloved annual guest-star on Canada's Telemiracle telethon, one of the most successful (per capita) telethons in the world. == Quotes == * "The name of my condition is [[cartilage hair hypoplasia]], but you can just call me Billy." * "The general public thinks all little people are in circuses or sideshows. We have doctors, nurses, just about every field covered." == References == * {{cite book | first = Michael and Debra | last = Copeland| title = Within Reach: An Inspirational Journey into the Life, Legacy and Influence of Billy Barty | publisher = Xulon Press | year = 2002 | id = ISBN 1-59160-391-9}} == External links == {{Commonscat|Billy Barty}} *{{imdb name|id=0000863|name=Billy Barty}} *{{amg name|2:3983}} *[http://www.billybarty.com/ Official site, Billy Barty & Friends] *[http://www.meridianmagazine.com/exstories/021115billy.html Tribute to Barty from Meridian Magazine] (LDS periodical) *[http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL325.htm Tribute by Mark Evanier] {{lifetime|1924|2000|Barty, Billy}} [[Category:Actors with dwarfism]] [[Category:American Latter Day Saints]] [[Category:American film actors]] [[Category:California State University, Los Angeles alumni]] [[Category:Hollywood Walk of Fame]] [[Category:Pennsylvania actors]] [[Category:People with dwarfism]] [[Category:Sicilian-Americans]] [[Category:Deaths from cardiovascular disease]] [[fr:Billy Barty]] [[he:בילי בארטי]] [[ja:ビリー・バーティ]] [[fi:Billy Barty]] [[sv:Billy Barty]]