Billy Barty

Billy Barty
Barty in 1976
Born
William John Bertanzetti

(1924-10-25)October 25, 1924
DiedDecember 23, 2000(2000-12-23) (aged 76)
Occupations
Years active1927–2000
Height3 ft 9 in (114 cm)
SpouseShirley Bolingbroke (m. 1962)
Children2, including Braden Barty

Billy Barty (born William John Bertanzetti; October 25, 1924 – December 23, 2000) was an American actor and activist.[1] In adult life, he stood 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m) tall, due to cartilage–hair hypoplasia dwarfism. Because of his short stature, he was often cast in films opposite taller performers for comic effect. He specialized in outspoken or wisecracking characters. During the 1950s, he became a television actor, appearing regularly in the Spike Jones ensemble. In the early 1970s, he appeared often in a variety of roles in children's TV programs produced by Sid and Marty Krofft. As an activist for people with dwarfism, he founded the Little People of America organization in 1957.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference nytobit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).