Bill Barretta is an American actor, voice actor, director, producer, and puppeteer, best known for his work in ‘The Muppets’ franchise. With a passion for puppets that began in his teenage years, Bill has become a renowned puppeteer, lending his voice and talent to various characters. From his breakthrough role in the sitcom ‘Dinosaurs’ to his appearances on talk shows and films like ‘The Happytime Murders,’ Bill has established himself as a versatile and talented performer in the entertainment industry.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: William Paul Barretta
- Age: 59 Years, 59 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Cristina Campbell
- Siblings: Gene Barrett
- Children: Jackson Barretta
- Born Country: United States
- Directors
- Voice Actors
- Notable Alumni: Doane Academy
- U.S. State: Pennsylvania
- Education: Doane Academy
Childhood & Early Life
Bill Barretta was born William Paul Barretta on June 19, 1964, in Yardley, Pennsylvania, U.S. He grew up in a middle-class family with his older brother, Gene, who is now a popular illustrator and children’s book author. Both brothers had a strong interest in creative activities from a young age, with Gene often taking the lead in organizing TV shows and playing with puppets. At the age of 10, Bill and his brother went to a local store to buy supplies to make their own puppets. Their mother supported their passion and bought them different kinds of puppets, which further fueled Bill’s interest in puppeteering.
Career
After graduating from high school, Bill moved to New Jersey to attend the ‘St. Mary’s Hall-Doane Academy,’ where he learned carpentry. However, his true passion was acting, so he eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting roles. He did odd jobs in various production houses before gaining fame.
Bill’s big break came when he met Brian Henson while working for the operations department at ‘Sesame Place’ in Pennsylvania. They stayed in touch, and when Bill learned that Brian was producing a show called ‘Dinosaurs,’ he moved to Los Angeles to audition for a role. He was selected to play ‘Earl Sinclair’ on the show, which aired in 1991 and was a huge success.
In 1994, Bill lent his voice to characters on ‘Jim Henson’s Animal Show’ and appeared in several episodes as a puppeteer and voice actor. He also landed small acting roles in films such as ‘Murder in the First’ and ‘Born to be Wild’ in 1995. However, his acting career didn’t take off as expected.
In 1996, Bill received another major breakthrough when he was signed as a puppeteer and voice actor for the live-action puppet-oriented family series titled ‘Muppets Tonight.’ He played characters such as ‘Pepe the Prawn,’ ‘Bobo the Bear,’ and ‘Rowlf the Dog,’ with ‘Pepe the Prawn’ becoming his most popular character. He also appeared in other shows and films, including ‘The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss’ and ‘Kim Possible.’
Bill’s association with ‘The Muppets’ franchise allowed him to showcase his puppeteering and voice acting skills in films such as ‘Muppet Treasure Island,’ ‘Muppets from Space,’ and ‘It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie.’ He also worked on other puppeteering projects like ‘The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland’ and ‘Kermit’s Swamp Years.’
In recent years, Bill has continued his work as a puppeteer, lending his voice to the character of ‘Dr. Teeth’ on the show ‘Muppet Babies’ since 2018. He has also appeared in video games based on ‘The Muppets’ franchise.
Family & Personal Life
Bill Barretta is married to Cristina Campbell, and they have a son named Jackson Barretta. He attributes his success as a puppeteer to his interest in human nature and his ability to observe people’s reactions and gestures, which he incorporates into his characters for authenticity.