Quick Facts
Biography
Bill Barretta (born June 19, 1964) is an American puppeteer and producer who has been performing with The Muppets since 1991, when he performed the body of family father Earl Sinclair on Dinosaurs. He later developed several new characters on Muppets Tonight, including Pepe the King Prawn, Johnny Fiama, Big Mean Carl and Bobo the Bear. Along with having his own Muppet characters, Bill has taken over several of Jim Henson's roles, such as Dr. Teeth, Rowlf the Dog, Mahna Mahna and Swedish Chef, and briefly took over Jerry Nelson's role of Lew Zealand. His film debut as a principal puppeteer was in 1996's Muppet Treasure Island as Clueless Morgan. In addition, Bill has produced two of the Muppets' television films, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz. Bill also provides additional voices on Kim Possible. His most recent performance was in Disney's Muppets Most Wanted, where he also served as a co-producer on the film. Barretta also serves as an executive producer on the ABC series, The Muppets.
Bill is the younger brother of the children's book author and illustrator, Gene Barretta. He is a native of Yardley, Pennsylvania.
Career
- Bill attended St. Mary's Hall-Doane Academy in Burlington, New Jersey, eventually becoming a carpenter.
- Bill met Brian Henson while they were both working at Sesame Place.
