Billy Barty (born William John Bertanzetti) (October 25, 1924–December 23, 2000) was an American film actor.

Barty, an Italian American, was born in Millsboro, Pennsylvania. He was one of the most famous 20th century people with dwarfism, having prominent roles in popular movies such as Foul Play, The Lord of the Rings (both 1978), Under the Rainbow (1981), Night Patrol (1984), Legend (1985), Masters of the Universe (1987), Willow (1988), and UHF (1989). In The Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), a nine-year-old Barty appeared as a baby who escapes from his perambulator. Because of his stature, most of his work consisted of bit parts and gag roles. Barty was known for his boundless energy and enthusiasm for any productions in which he appeared. He also performed a remarkable impression of the late pianist Liberace.

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 "midgets" 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 1950 until his death at age 76. They had two children, Braden and Lori.

Barty and his family belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the Mormons).

A recent 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.


Billy’s Bio from The American Vaudeville Museum

Although he spent his early years in two-reel comedies and in vaudeville, Billy Barty was primarily a character actor. His range was wide, able to play drama, comedy and fantasy, limited only by his height of 3’ 9’’ and some casting directors perception of him. He began in show business when he was three and worked for nearly his entire lifetime, appearing in a long line of films from Busby Berkeley musicals to its antithesis, The Day of the Locust.

His teenage years were spent in vaudeville touring in musical act (he played drums) with his two sisters. During the years of early television he was a frequent guest on Spike Jones programs. Often he was booked for small stature and his sense of comedy.
However, show business was never the sole territory of his life. He majored in journalism while in college and played football and basketball. Had not show business promised a practical way of earning a very good income, Billy Barty said he might have become a sports announcer.

He was a family man who enjoyed a 35 year union with his wife, Shirley. They have two children: a six foot son who is a filmmaker and a small person from Russia whom they adopted when she was an infant. Mr. Barty founded several organizations to educate both small- and average-sized people about small people. The Little People of America, founded in 1957, provides vocational guidance, health information and social services. The Billy Barty Foundation raises money for scholarships and other benefits.

The link to this bio
vaudeville.org/index_files/Page361.htm

Billy at IMDB
www.imdb.com/name/nm0000863/

Official Billy Barty Website
www.billybarty.com/

Billy Barty Foundation
www.rth.org/bbf/

and for a little more (small new tribe) on other vaudeville performers feel free to drop by
vaudeville footlights
tribes.tribe.net/blankerslate