Billy Barty - Rest in Peace
 

I just now saw this while reading the Sunday paper.

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

You may not know that Billy was in almost every Krofft show, playing everything from Sigmund to Sparky on the Bugaloos.

He will be missed.

"LOS ANGELES (AP) - Billy Barty, a 3-foot-10 actor whose career spanned seven decades and all types of roles, died Saturday of heart failure. He was 76.

Barty had been hospitalized in Glendale for heart problems and a lung infection, said his publicist, Bill York.

Barty appeared in his first Hollywood feature in 1927 at the age of 3 and performed for radio, television and on Broadway. He played a number of outrageous characters, including a wizard in the movie ``Willow'' (1988), a tongue-in-cheek role as a German spy in ``Under the Rainbow'' (1981) with Chevy Chase, a suspected stalker in "Foul Play'' (1978), and an agent in ``Day of the Locust'' (1975).

In the late 20s and early 30s, he played Mickey Rooney's kid brother in the "Mickey McGuire'' series of comedy shorts. He later had several TV appearances, including his own children's show called ``Billy Barty's Big Show'' in Los Angeles in the 1960s, and he appeared on several shows over the past three decades, most recently an episode of "Frasier.''

In 1957, Barty founded Little People of America, an advocacy group for others with dwarfism. He later started a non-profit foundation that bears his name to help improve the quality of life for little people, the term he said he preferred.

"The general public thinks all little people are in circuses or sideshows,'' Barty said in an interview last year with The Associated Press. "We have doctors, nurses, just about every field covered.''

"The world lost a giant and a hero in the passing of Billy Barty,'' said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who chose Barty to be his son's godfather. Barty brought "recognition, dignity and respect to those who were born little,'' he said.

Barty is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Braden; daughter, Lori; and granddaughter, Tina."

I'm hoping the E channel had enough time to put in some sort of memorial for Billy on the Krofft's show tonight, it would be a nice touch.

Rest in Peace Billy.

George

God rest your soul Billy, You will be missed.
I know you are with God and may you know eternal peace. You now walk as tall as any giant ever has.

My love and respect,
Mark

Very sad to hear this. We've lost a great character actor, and a great guy. I think no one went beyond their physical limitations and challenges like Billy. The respect and the love he earned from fans and co-workers is absolutely deserved. He will be missed.

You will be missed. I've enjoyed your wonderfull work from Sigmond to Willow.
I pray for your families comfort and well being. Big things come in small packages.
Gnaktic my friend.