Billy Barnes (composer) facts for kids

Billy Barnes (born January 27, 1927 – died September 25, 2012) was a talented composer, lyricist, and actor from Los Angeles, California. He was well-known for creating fun musical shows called revues. He also played a character named Mr. Edlin on the TV show Mad About You.

Career

Billy Barnes started writing funny musical sketches when he was still in high school. He continued this while attending UCLA. In college, he began working with Bob Rodgers. Their first professional musical comedy show, called a Cabaret Concert Show, was performed in Los Angeles in 1956.

Musical Revues

Barnes continued to create many theatrical revues. Some of his popular shows included The Billy Barnes Revue, Billy Barnes' People, Billy Barnes' Party, Billy Barnes' L.A., and Billy Barnes' Hollywood. He also wrote songs for other productions like Movie Star and Blame It on the Movies (1988).

His revues helped many famous comedians and singers get their start. These included Bert Convy, Ken Berry, Jo Anne Worley, Steve Franken, Jackie Joseph, Ann Morgan Guilbert, David Ketchum, and his former wife Joyce Jameson.

TV and Hit Songs

For television, Billy Barnes wrote special songs and musical numbers. He worked on popular shows like Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, The Danny Kaye Show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, Cher, and The Carol Burnett Show. He also wrote opening songs for several Academy Awards TV broadcasts.

He composed funny and timely songs for many big stars, including Lucille Ball, Bette Davis, and Angela Lansbury. In 1976, he wrote the songs for a TV musical version of Pinocchio, which starred Sandy Duncan.

Some of Barnes' hit songs include "(Have I Stayed) Too Long at the Fair". This song was recorded by Patti Page and by Barbra Streisand on her 1963 album "The Second Barbra Streisand Album". Another hit was "Something Cool", first recorded in 1954 by jazz singer June Christy.

In the 1990s, Barnes also had a recurring acting role. He played "Mr. Edlin" on the TV series Mad About You. His character was the musical director and pianist for a community theater.

Personal Life

Billy Barnes married actress Joyce Jameson in the 1950s. They had one son together, named Tyler. They later divorced. Billy Barnes had a long-term companion, Richard T. Jordan, from the early 1980s until Barnes passed away in 2012 due to health complications.

Awards and Recognition

Billy Barnes received the Los Angeles Theatre Alliance Governor's Award. This award recognized his many achievements throughout his career in theater.

The HBO TV series Getting On, which aired from 2013 to 2015, was set in a fictional hospital unit called the "Billy Barnes Extended Care Unit" in Long Beach, California. This was a way to honor his legacy.