Biografia
David Eugene Joyner was born on July 4, 1963, in Decatur, Illinois, to Roscoe and Mary Joyner. He is the fifth of six children and was nicknamed "Preacher" during his childhood. He graduated with honors from MacArthur High School in Decatur in 1981 at age 17. In 1983, he earned an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, also with honors, from ITT Technical Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In 1982, David gained the nickname "The Mannequin Man" after being hired to pose as a mechanically moving mannequin in store windows at malls, captivating hundreds of onlookers. In 1984, he joined Texas Instruments (TI) in Dallas, Texas, as a Software Analyst, working there for six years. On September 28, 1990, he resigned to pursue a full-time entertainment career. While at TI, he performed during evenings and weekends at clubs, malls, churches, civic organizations, and on local TV talk shows, branded as "Mr. Entertainment-David E. Joyner-The Mannequin Man." In 1988, he became a professional motivational speaker, gaining nationwide demand for his humorous and energetic style.
In 1990, David became an acting coach at The Dallas TV & Film Workshop, now known as The Dallas Young Actors Studio & Performance Center, directed by Linda Seto. This nonprofit trains children and teens aged 3 to 18 in acting skills. He became Assistant Director in 1992. That same year, he met casting director Shirley Abrams, who cast him as "Barney," and Hollywood agent Mary Grady, who became one of his closest friends. David began portraying Barney in 1991 and traveled worldwide spreading love to millions. He was the original Barney on the hit TV series "Barney & Friends" from 1992 to 2001. In April 2001, he left the show, filmed in Dallas, and moved to Los Angeles to further his acting career outside the costume. After relocating, the Barney Special Events Department invited him to continue making appearances and training other Barney performers globally, while pursuing acting roles as himself in LA.
On October 31, 1994, David lost his mother to lung cancer at the age of 58.
In 1998, David felt called to ministry and pursued ordination in the United Methodist Church, but later realized his calling extended beyond pastoring a church. His mission is to share his love for children worldwide.
In 2002, while guest-starring on the TV series "That's So Raven," word spread on set that he was Barney. Later that day, he was invited to meet producer Claude Brooks, who was developing a new children's character named Hip Hop Harry, a rapping teddy bear. Initially expecting to offer advice, David was instead offered the role of Hip Hop Harry and shot two pilots in August 2002 for a direct-to-DVD series. This marked a new chapter in his children's entertainment career. Hip Hop Harry is a bear and an excellent youth counselor who founded the after-school program Hip Hop Central, believing kids need a positive place to learn, play, and explore. Besides counseling, David performs as a rapper, singer, and dancer for children and families worldwide. Hip Hop Harry embodies old-school hip hop while staying current, using rap and dance to engage kids and promote positive, enlightening messages to all.
In 2005, Hip Hop Harry began making live appearances, impressing audiences with a unique costume character show featuring four talented breakdancers. The live performances combine fun, entertainment, and education through funky beats and cool raps. The producers recently secured a deal with Discovery Kids for a TV series. Hip Hop Harry airs on TLC and Discovery Kids weekday mornings, reaching 120 million homes five days a week, three times daily. The character has received an overwhelming response, with many believing he will surpass Barney's popularity.
David Joyner is a man passionate about sharing the love of God with everyone he meets. Beyond being an actor, entertainer, mannequin man, dancer, purple dinosaur, drummer, preacher, motivational speaker, and hip hop rapping and dancing teddy bear, he is a humble, loving individual who deeply cares about people.
