BURT REYNOLDS TOLD SANDY DUNCAN HE 'WANTED TO KILL' HER AT HEIGHT OF 'BARNEY' FAME, SHE SAYS. (PHOTO).

 Burt Reynolds told Sandy Duncan he 'wanted to kill' her at height of 'Barney' fame, she says

Sandy Duncan, whose career spans seven decades with Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe nominations, is still remembered by many for her brief role in Barney & the Backyard Gang. 

In 1988, during a Hollywood writers’ strike, Duncan accepted the part of “Mom” in the direct‑to‑video children’s series about a purple dinosaur. 

Though she had already built a reputation in family entertainment with Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and voice work for Scooby‑Doo and The Fox and the Hound, she admitted later that she was surprised by the project’s simplicity and returned to her regular work after filming three episodes.

The success of the videos led to PBS picking up Barney & Friends, and producers asked Duncan to reprise her role. 

She recalled being pitched on the franchise’s future, including plush toys and merchandising, but declined the offer a decision she later regretted. 

Despite her short involvement, her presence in the original tapes made her a household name among young viewers, including actor Burt Reynolds’ son Quinton, whom he adopted with Loni Anderson in 1988. 

Duncan remembered Reynolds jokingly telling her he “wanted to kill” her because Barney and Duncan dominated his toddler’s viewing habits.

Decades later, Barney remains a cultural fixture. The franchise has endured through countless iterations, and in 2024 HBO Max launched Barney’s World, a new animated series. 

Duncan’s brief but memorable role in the original videos continues to be a quirky highlight of her career, showing how even small projects can leave a lasting mark on pop culture.