Bruce Connelly

Bruce Connelly is an actor, puppeteer, and mime who is best known for performing Barkley on Sesame Street and its related productions since 1993. He has also done the Bozark puppet in Old Dogs, assisted with minor puppets, and did a slice of bread squeezing Wayne Brady. Bruce was selected by his friend Michelan Sisti to audition on Sesame Street since Michelan wanted to stay in Los Angeles. I have read that Connelly responded in an interview that he 'understood dogs' a strange reason which won him the role of Barkley. He also said that the people could teach him how to work a costume but nobody can teach someone how a dog's mind worked. He does have a strange way of answering a question on how he auditioned, then again I'll bet other have done so too. Outside of Sesame Street, Bruce Connelly has puppeteered on two other projects, an ABC Weekend Special and The Puzzle Place. Barkley stopped making new appearances after the 43rd season which meant the performer stopped appearing on the show as well. In 2021 on TikTok, one of the Sesame Street writers said that the Barkley was absent for years because refurbishment was needed on the puppet. That doesn't mean that Bruce has to quit being on Sesame Street after so long. Connelly also worked with other performers like John Kennedy, Caroll Spinney, Paul McGinnis, and Bryant Young, just to name a few. I wonder what he's been doing since Barkley stopped making appearances in new material on Sesame Street. Maybe some kind of mime act or something involving entertainment within the theatre. Bruce Connelly, you've done wonderful as a full-bodied dog from 1993-2011. I hope you're still remembering how much fun you had performing on Sesame Street. If the producers of the show ever decide to bring back Barkley, I'm sure you'll be chosen to reprise that role. Until then, keep on doing mime work Bruce. You're "dog-gone" good Connelly!