--- name: "Billy Barty" canonical: "https://film.one/person/billy-barty" fi1m_id: "billy-barty" imdb_id: "nm0000863" tmdb_id: 12659 wikidata_id: "Q716319" roles: ["Actor"] born: "25 October 1924" died: "23 December 2000" reviewed_on_fi1m: 6 average_fi1m_score: 60 average_as: "actor" average_over: 3 updated: "2026-10-04T19:19:50.944450+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Billy Barty ## Identity Billy Barty - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/billy-barty - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** billy-barty - **IMDb ID:** nm0000863 - **TMDB ID:** 12659 - **Wikidata ID:** Q716319 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Barty, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q716319, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000863/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12659 Actor. Born 25 October 1924 in Millsboro, Pennsylvania, USA. Died 23 December 2000. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 25 October 1924, Millsboro, Pennsylvania, USA - **Died:** 23 December 2000 - **Active:** 1935–1985 - **Also known as:** William John Bertanzetti - **Titles on Fi1m:** 6: 3 acting, 3 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 60, as actor, over 3 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 79 (4), 1980s 53 (2) - **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 2, Fantasy 2, Adventure 1, Romance 1 - **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $90m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Barty, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q716319, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000863/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12659 ## Fi1m on Billy Barty > Billy Barty's speciality was the outspoken supporting player, quick with a wisecrack and rarely meek. We value his comic energy, while wishing more of his films had given him substantial people to play. Billy Barty's supporting characters tend to answer back, with wise-guy lines delivered as though they have every right to interrupt. That outspoken comic manner connects work that otherwise has little in common, from Spike Jones's stage and television shows in the 1950s to the fantasy parts of the 1980s. His film roles became more substantial during the 1970s, with Abe Kusich in *The Day of the Locust* (1975) offering a dramatic part beyond the familiar gag. The irascibility remained, but there was more of a person to play. Barty plays Sammy in *Hardly Working* (1980), and we would not suggest beginning an acquaintance with his work there. Director Jerry Lewis follows a clown who cannot keep a job, but never finds a reliable rhythm for the comedy. Two or three gags work; too much of the rest is slack and sentimental. That unevenness matters when considering a performer whose opportunities so often depended on making something of a small part. *Legend* (1985), in which he plays Screwball, offers a more elaborate setting without solving the problem of thin characters. Ridley Scott's fairy-tale imagery is the chief attraction, with Tim Curry supplying welcome mischief when the film needs it. We grew restless because the characters struggled to hold our attention, however much there was to look at around them. Screwball is one of Barty's more substantial fantasy roles, but that does not make the film a satisfactory introduction to his acting. We would recommend it chiefly to committed fairy-tale enthusiasts. The later fantasy work includes Gwildor, the inventor in *Masters of the Universe* (1987), and the village elder High Aldwin in *Willow* (1988), alongside Warwick Davis. These parts continued a familiar pattern of casting, with fantasy offering him regular employment but a limited choice of characters. For the physical comedy, there is his aggressive Bible salesman J.J. MacKuen in *Foul Play* (1978). Start there or with *The Day of the Locust* before deciding that fantasy was all he had to offer. ## Biography Billy Barty, born William John Bertanzetti, was an American actor and activist. He stood 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m) tall due to cartilage–hair hypoplasia dwarfism and was frequently cast opposite taller performers. Barty began performing as a child in the late 1920s and appeared in films including *Bride of Frankenstein* (1935). In the 1950s he performed regularly with the Spike Jones ensemble on television. He founded the Little People of America organisation in 1957 to support people with dwarfism. His later screen roles included Screwball in *Legend* (1985), Gwildor in *Masters of the Universe* (1987), High Aldwin in *Willow* (1988) and the voice of Baitmouse in *The Rescuers Down Under* (1990). He died on 23 December 2000. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, catalog.afi.com.* ## On Fi1m (6) ### Performed in (3) — the average rests on these - *Legend* (1985), Fi1m 61, as Screwball — [page](https://film.one/film/legend.md) - *Hardly Working* (1980), Fi1m 45, as Sammy — [page](https://film.one/film/hardly-working.md) - *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1935), Fi1m 74, as Mustard-Seed — [page](https://film.one/film/a-midsummer-nights-dream.md) ### Also credited (3) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Bride of Frankenstein* (1935), Fi1m 89, as Baby (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/bride-of-frankenstein.md) - *Footlight Parade* (1933), Fi1m 70, as Mouse (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/footlight-parade.md) - *Gold Diggers of 1933* (1933), Fi1m 82, as Baby in "Pettin' in the Park" Number (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/gold-diggers-of-1933.md) ## Complete filmography (157) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Hollywood Shorties* (2016), Actor - *Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films* (2014), as Gwildor (archive footage) (uncredited) - *The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave* (2000), as Funeral Eulogist - *L.A. Heat* (1999), series, Actor - *The New Batman Adventures* (1997), series, as Hips McManus (voice) - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart* (1995), as Prospector Pike - *Radioland Murders* (1994), as Billy Barty - *Frasier* (1993), series, as Chris (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *The Naked Truth* (1992), as The Bell Boy - *Jack's Place* (1992), series, Actor - *Life Stinks* (1991), as Willy - *Runaway Ralph* (1991), as Uncle Lester (Voice) - *Free the Horses: A Self-Esteem Adventure* (1991), as Jerome the Gnome - *The Rescuers Down Under* (1990), as Baitmouse (voice) - *Nasty Boys* (1990), series, Actor - *Lobster Man from Mars* (1990), as Mr. Throckmorton - *Diggin' Up Business* (1990), as Crosby - *Wishful Thinking* (1990), as Gypsy - *Where Does Time Fly?* (1989), as Figment (voice) - *What's an Abra Without a Cadabra?* (1989), as Figment (voice) - *Writing Magic with Figment and Alice in Wonderland* (1989), as Figment (voice) - *Reading Magic with Figment and Peter Pan* (1989), as Figment (voice) - *UHF* (1989), as Noodles - *How Does Sound Sound?* (1988), as Figment (voice) - *How Does It Feel to Be an Elephant?* (1988), as Figment (voice) - *Would You Eat a Blue Potato?* (1988), as Figment (voice) - *Do Dragons Dream?* (1988), as Figment (voice) - *What Can You See by Looking?* (1988), as Figment (voice) - *How Does It Feel to Fly?* (1988), as Figment (voice) - *Willow* (1988), as High Aldwin - *Snow White* (1987), as Iddy - *Off the Mark* (1987), as The Little Russian - *DuckTales* (1987), series, as King Brian (voice) - *Masters of the Universe* (1987), as Gwildor - *Rumpelstiltskin* (1987), as Rumpelstiltskin - *Body Slam* (1986), as Tim McClusky - *The Mouse and the Motorcycle* (1986), as Uncle Lester (voice) - *Tough Guys* (1986), as Philly - *Wildfire* (1986), series, Actor - *Star Fairies* (1985), as Troll (voice) - *The Golden Girls* (1985), series, as Edgar Lindstrom — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md) - *Legend* (1985), as Screwball — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/legend.md) - *Moonlighting* (1985), series, as Billy Barty (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md) - *Night Patrol* (1984), as Captain Lewis - *Ace Crawford, Private Eye* (1983), series, as Inch - *EPCOT Center: A Souvenir Program* (1983), as Figment (voice) (archive sound) - *Under the Rainbow* (1981), as Otto Kriegling - *Hardly Working* (1980), as Sammy — Fi1m 45, [page](https://film.one/film/hardly-working.md) - *Skatetown, U.S.A.* (1979), as Jimmy - *Hart to Hart* (1979), series, Actor - *Firepower* (1979), as Dominic Carbone - *Supertrain* (1979), series, as Mick - *The Lord of the Rings* (1978), as Character Actor (voice) - *Foul Play* (1978), as J.J. MacKuen - *Rabbit Test* (1978), as Lester - *Fantasy Island* (1978), series, as Alphonse - *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Ralph Warren - *Man from Atlantis* (1977), series, as Moxie - *CHiPs* (1977), series, Actor - *The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington* (1977), as Little Man - *Great Day* (1977), as Billy - *The Amazing Dobermans* (1976), as Samson - *The Paul Lynde Halloween Special* (1976), as Gallows - *Charlie's Angels* (1976), series, as News Vendor - *Dr. Shrinker* (1976), series, Actor - *Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood* (1976), as Assistant Director - *Twin Detectives* (1976), as Bartender - *W.C. Fields and Me* (1976), as Ludwig - *Sixpack Annie* (1975), as Pie Vendor (uncredited) - *Demon, Demon* (1975), as Max - *The Day of the Locust* (1975), as Abe Kusich - *Barney Miller* (1975), series, as Mr. Resnick - *Punch and Jody* (1974), as Stilts - *Chico and the Man* (1974), series, Actor - *Little House on the Prairie* (1974), series, as Owen - *The Godmothers* (1973), as The Hawk - *The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl* (1973), as Cleaning Lady / Sparky the Firefly / Witchiepoo's Assistant - *Sigmund and the Sea Monsters* (1973), series, as Sigmund Ooze - *The Waltons* (1972), series, Actor - *Fol-de-Rol* (1972), as Artist / Costumed Characters - *The Bugaloos* (1970), series, as Sparky - *Pufnstuf* (1970), as Googy Gopher / Orville Pelican - *Love, American Style* (1969), series, as Mechanical Elf - *The Perils of Pauline* (1967), as Pygmy Leader - *Clown Alley* (1966), as Little Clown Jumping Out of Firehouse - *Jericho* (1966), series, Actor - *Harum Scarum* (1965), as Baba - *Get Smart* (1965), series, as Upper Gemini, Marco - *Roustabout* (1964), as Billy (uncredited) - *Billy Rose's Jumbo* (1962), as Joey The Circus Clown - *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Barker - *The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm* (1962), as The Court Jester (segment "The Dancing Princess") (uncredited) - *Thriller* (1960), series, as Sam - *Mr. Lucky* (1959), series, Actor - *Rawhide* (1959), series, Actor - *Peter Gunn* (1958), series, Actor - *Shirley Temple's Storybook* (1958), series, as Dwarf - *The Undead* (1957), as The Imp - *Circus Boy* (1956), series, Actor - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as George - *George Tackles the Land* (1954), as Mr. N - *Fireman Save My Child* (1954), as Clarinetist Inside Tuba - *The Spike Jones Show* (1954), series, Actor - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Second Clown - *The Clown* (1953), as Billy (uncredited) - *Pygmy Island* (1950), as Kimba - *Three Wise Fools* (1946), as Bit - *Mickey the Great* (1945), as Billy McGuire - *Nothing Sacred* (1937), as Boy Biting Wally's Ankle (uncredited) - *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1935), as Mustard-Seed — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/a-midsummer-nights-dream.md) - *Bride of Frankenstein* (1935), as Baby (uncredited) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/bride-of-frankenstein.md) - *The Hollywood Gad-About* (1934), as Brat (uncredited) - *Gift of Gab* (1934), as The Baby - *Mickey's Medicine Man* (1934), as Billy McGuire - *Mickey's Rescue* (1934), as Billy McGuire - *Mickey's Minstrels* (1934), as Billy McGuire - *Alice in Wonderland* (1933), as White Pawn / The Baby (uncredited) - *Mickey's Covered Wagon* (1933), as Billy McGuire - *Roman Scandals* (1933), as Little Eddie (uncredited) - *Mickey's Tent Show* (1933), as Billy McGuire - *Footlight Parade* (1933), as Mouse (uncredited) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/footlight-parade.md) - *Mickey's Touchdown* (1933), as Billy - *Mickey's Disguises* (1933), as Billy McGuire - *Gold Diggers of 1933* (1933), as Baby in "Pettin' in the Park" Number (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/gold-diggers-of-1933.md) - *Mickey's Race* (1933), as Billy McGuire - Mickey's brother - *Out All Night* (1933), as Child - *Mickey's Ape Man* (1933), as Billy McGuire - *Mickey's Big Business* (1932), as Billy McGuire - *Mickey's Busy Day* (1932), as Billy McGuire - *Mickey's Helping Hand* (1931), as Billy McGuire - *Over the Hill* (1931), as Shelby Boy (uncredited) - *Who's Who in the Zoo* (1931), as Arthur - *Mickey's Thrill Hunters* (1931), as Mickey's brother - *Mickey's Wildcats* (1931), as Mickey's brother - *Goldie* (1931), as Child - *Mickey's Rebellion* (1931), as Mickey's brother - *Daddy Long Legs* (1931), as Billy - Orphan (uncredited) - *In Conference* (1931), as Milton Horowitz - *Second Hand Kisses* (1931), as Orphan boy - *Mickey's Stampede* (1931), as Mickey's Brother - *A Hollywood Theme Song* (1930), as Little Boy (uncredited) - *Soup to Nuts* (1930), as Junior (uncredited) - *Mickey's Warriors* (1930), as Billy McGuire - Mickey's Brother - *Mickey's Whirlwinds* (1930), as Mickey's Brother - *Mickey's Luck* (1930), as Billy McGuire - *Mickey's Champs* (1930), as Billy McGuire - *Half a Hero* (1930), as The Baby - *Mickey's Big Moment* (1929), as Mickey's Brother - *Mickey's Mix-Up* (1929), as Mickey's Brother - *Mickey's Midnite Follies* (1929), as Mickey's Brother - *Mickey's Big Game Hunt* (1928), as Mickey's brother - *No Kidding* (1928), Actor - *Mickey the Detective* (1928), as Mickey's Brother - *Mickey in School* (1928), as Baby (unconfirmed) - *Mickey's Eleven* (1927), as Baby(unconfirmed) - *Mickey's Pals* (1927), as The Baby ## Gallery - ![Billy Barty](https://film.one/media/person/300215/gallery-e28f24f94efb.jpg) Billy Barty — Larry Bessel, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Billy_Barty%2C_1976.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Los Angeles State University men's basketball player Jack Sparks (left) gets oxygen from team mascot and school alumni Billy Barty (right). (1951)](https://film.one/media/person/300215/gallery-9901ad971c4e.jpg) Los Angeles State University men's basketball player Jack Sparks (left) gets oxygen from team mascot and school alumni Billy Barty (right). (1951) — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Jack_Sparks_and_Billy_Barty_1951.jpg/1280px-Jack_Sparks_and_Billy_Barty_1951.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photo from the premiere of the television program Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. From left: Billy Barty (Sigmund), Scott Kolden (Scott Stuart), Johnny Whitaker ( (1973)](https://film.one/media/person/300215/gallery-a2cbf1e624e3.jpg) Photo from the premiere of the television program Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. From left: Billy Barty (Sigmund), Scott Kolden (Scott Stuart), Johnny Whitaker ( (1973) — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Billy_Barty_Johnny_Whitaker_Scott_Kolden_Sigmund_and_the_Sea_Monsters_1973.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![American actor Billy Barty (center foreground) lifts an oxygen mask up to Los Angeles City College basketball player Dick Green (center right, number 13) as his (1951)](https://film.one/media/person/300215/gallery-9c4693ad6ceb.jpg) American actor Billy Barty (center foreground) lifts an oxygen mask up to Los Angeles City College basketball player Dick Green (center right, number 13) as his (1951) — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Billy_Barty_and_the_Los_Angeles_City_College_basketball_team_1951.jpg/1280px-Billy_Barty_and_the_Los_Angeles_City_College_basketball_team_1951.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Barty](https://film.one/media/person/300215/gallery-c0f63a4ba862.jpg) Billy Barty — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won, 3 nominated - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1989: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Willow* - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1988: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Masters of the Universe* - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1982: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Under the Rainbow* - star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 1981: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/billy-barty