Billy Barkhurst

Billy Barkhurst is a puppeteer whose only known Muppet character was being the third performer of Ernie on Sesame Street. In 2009, he started voicing Ernie for various live stage shows. Billy later took over as Ernie from Steve Whitmire in 2014 both puppeteering and voicing him. Barkhurst is also left-handed, which makes his Ernie different from Ernie's other performers. He has only been an additional puppeteer for a couple of times on Sesame Street. And there's another thing, he needs to perform with the Muppets as well because even though he's known for performing Ernie, more characters will make him more famous than he ever was. The last I've heard of Billy Barkhurst was after Season 48, when he left Sesame Street and Ernie was handed over to Peter Linz a year earlier. Outside of Sesame Street, I've read that he has done more characters than I think he did. He performed hand puppets, marionettes, and animatronics for various projects, including the ever popular Chuck E. Cheese. If Billy can operate all of these types of puppets, than why hasn't he done more characters for Sesame Street? Nobody knows where Barkhurst is right now, but I hope he understands that he could have done more on the show than just play Ernie. He's another one of those puppeteers who had something in their lives that they never told the producers anything at all. Other left-handed puppeteers like him include Jennifer Barnhart and Megan Piphus. Billy Barkhurst, wherever you are, you should go back to being a puppeteer, because their is something about you that should be shared to Sesame Street. Even though you only did Ernie for four seasons and appearances between those years, you were still wonderful as him. Great job on being interviewed for podcasts after you've left. Keep giving laughs Billy. Good luck Barkhurst!