David Joyner (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Joyner
Born	David Eugene Joyner (1963-07-04) July 4, 1963 (age 62) Decatur, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actor therapist
Years active	1991–present
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David Eugene Joyner (born July 4, 1963) is an American actor. He is most famous for playing Barney from 1991 to 2001. He wore the Barney costume in the popular children's TV show Barney & Friends. He also played Barney in an earlier show called Barney & the Backyard Gang. Other actors like Bob West and Duncan Brannan did Barney's voice. Later, David Joyner also played the main character, Hip Hop Harry, in the show Hip Hop Harry.

Early Life and Education

David Joyner was born on July 4, 1963, in Decatur, Illinois. His parents were Roscoe and Mary Joyner. He went to MacArthur High School. After high school, he studied at the ITT Technical Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. He earned a degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a software analyst for Texas Instruments for six years.

Becoming Barney

David Joyner once shared an interesting story about how he got the role of Barney. The night before his audition, he had a dream. In the dream, Barney fainted, and David had to help him. On the day of the audition, he saw a billboard that said, "breathe life into your vacation." He felt this was a sign. He decided that if he could "breathe life" into the Barney character, he would be successful.

He first auditioned for the role in 1991. He was originally chosen as a backup performer. However, the first actress chosen found it hard to stay in the heavy costume for long periods. So, David Joyner took over the role.

David Joyner's Acting Career

David Joyner first played Barney in two Barney & the Backyard Gang videos. He then continued as Barney in the TV series Barney & Friends for its first six seasons. He also performed as Barney in live shows.

During the fourth season of Barney & Friends, he left for a short time. He went to film Barney's Great Adventure, a movie about Barney. Other performers filled in for him during that time. David Joyner returned to play Barney in Barney in Outer Space in 1997. He continued to make occasional appearances as Barney until 2005. He even returned briefly in 2008.

Another performer, Carey Stinson, also played Barney. Carey performed Barney for birthday parties and public events starting in the early 1990s. He also played Barney in stage shows like Barney Live in New York City.

Besides acting, David Joyner also works as a tantric massage therapist.

Movies and TV Shows

David Joyner has appeared in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of his roles:

• Barney (in-suit performer)
  • Barney's Magical Musical Adventure (1993)
  • Barney in Outer Space (1998)
  • Barney's Great Adventure (1998)
  • Barney & the Backyard Gang (1991)
  • Barney & Friends (1992–2001)
  • The Wayne Brady Show (2002)
  • Today (2002–2003)
• Other Roles
  • General Hospital (2001) as Garland
  • What Should You Do? (2003) as Steven Johnson
  • That's So Raven (2004) as The Teddy Bear
  • Crossing Jordan (2004) as CSU Tech
  • ER (2004–2006) as Dialysis Tech
  • House (2005) as Cardiac Surgeon #2
  • That '70s Show (2005) as Jazz Musician
  • The Inside (2005) as Good Samaritan
  • 24 (2006) as Agent Jones
  • Hip Hop Harry (2006–2008) as Hip Hop Harry (in-suit performer) and Chef Rob
  • Identity (2007) as Himself
  • The Young and the Restless (2008) as Keith Joyner
  • The Closer (2009) as Uni #1
  • Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (2010) as Sinister Clown
  • Southland (2013) as Detective Flynn
  • Wendell and Vinnie (2013) as Ernesto
  • Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2013) as Business Man #2
  • Switched at Birth (2013) as Gavin
  • Hart of Dixie (2014) as Supervisor Greene
  • Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn (2015) as Police Officer
  • Shameless (2016) as Tod
  • Angel from Hell (2016) as Security Clerk
  • Veep (2016) as Congress Clerk
  • Just Add Magic (2018) as Victor
  • Animal Kingdom (2018) as Nelson 'Pilot'
  • S.W.A.T. (2019) as Leon
  • Unknown Encounter (2019) as Joshua
  • I Love You, You Hate Me (2022) as Himself (in a documentary series)

Web Series and Theater

David Joyner has also appeared in web series and theater productions.

• Web Series
  • Hip Hop Harry Toy Review (2017) as Hip Hop Harry
  • ABC Harry (2019) as Hip Hop Harry
• Theater
  • Barney Live in New York City (1994) as Barney