Billy Barty (October 25, 1924 – December 23, 2000) was an American film actor and television star. In adult life, he stood three feet, nine inches (114 cm), due to cartilage-hair hypoplasia dwarfism, and because of his short stature, he was often cast in movies opposite taller performers for comic effect. He specialized in outspoken or wisecracking characters. During the 1950s, he became a television star, appearing regularly in the Spike Jones ensemble.

Biography

Barty was born William John Bertanzetti on October 25, 1924 in Washington, Pennsylvania, the son of Ellen Cecial (Bettegar) and Albert Steven Bertanzetti. His paternal grandfather was Italian. In 1962, he married Shirley Bolingbroke of Malad City, Idaho. They had two children, Lori Neilson and TV/film producer and director Braden Barty.

Barty and his family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Barty died of heart failure in 2000 at age 76. He is entombed in Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

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