17 Surreal Quotes From Barney Actor David Joyner About Life As The Purple Dinosaur
17 Surreal Quotes From Barney Actor David Joyner About Life As The Purple Dinosaur
For more than a decade, David Joyner inhabited a 70 pound dinosaur suit and brought to life one of the most beloved children's television characters of all time. Here are 17 fascinating, shocking, and sometimes downright confusing statements he gave in a recent interview about his time as Barney.
For more than a decade, David Joyner inhabited a 70 pound dinosaur suit and brought to life one of the most beloved children's television characters of all time. Here are 17 fascinating, shocking, and sometimes downright confusing statements he gave in a recent interview about his time as Barney.
8. On the head...
The head doesn't come off. The head doesn't swivel. There's no facial expressions that can be made. I can only see a certain amount, because of the peripheral of Barney's mouth. And when Barney's mouth is closed, I can't see anything.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
9. On how he combated the head's blindness
I would walk around my apartment as if I was blind. I would close my eyes, and I would try to feel energy. And try to feel the energy of anything that was around me. And then try to pick things up.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
10. On becoming one with the suit:
I'd sit down on an Apple box, and I'd put my hand on my knees, and I would just close my eyes. So I would literally meditate.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
11. On meditation
When I was 19, I started studying Tantra. And a lot of times when people think about Tantra they think it's all about sex. Well Tantra's much more than that. Because Tantra deals with loving energy and life force energy.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
12. On the iconic words of the Barney and Friends theme song:
I love you, you love me. We're a happy family. So now, we're now gathered together in this beautiful harmonious thing that’s happening. So it's a beautiful thing to know how that song has impacted pretty much this next generation.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
13. On becoming one with Barney voice actor Bob West:
We would do what we call "dinosync." As I have my headphones on, I can literally hear him taking his breath. And knowing that as he's about to speak, I'm almost inside of him, knowing exactly what he's about to say.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
14. On life before Barney:
I worked for Texas Instruments for six years as a software analyst. Before I was Barney, I was a live mannequin. I would move mechanically. And people would literally bring their children, set them on the mall floor, and go shop.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
15. On life after Barney:
After doing Barney for 10 years, I decided, "Ok, it's time to make that move to Los Angeles." And if I don't make the move now, then I'll probably never make that move. I was on "Shameless." "That '70s Show." "ER." A SWAT agent on "24."
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
16. On where he is now:
So "Hip Hop Harry" is what I'm doing now. [He] is a cool, hip-hop rapping, break dancing teddy bear that runs an after-school center called Hip Hop Central. And I am not ashamed to admit that I am 53 years old, still playing in costumes.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
17. On what it means to have played Barney:
Barney was beautiful. Barney was very, very good to me. I loved being Barney. I loved everything about being Barney. But that chapter is gone.
David Joyner
Business Insider, June 2, 2017
What do you think of these tales from the dino suit? Talk to us about them in the comments below, and share with your friends to see what they think!