First it was Victor Borge and now it's Billy Barty. Billy, who was in his 70's, was one of the most easily reconizeable actors of the 20th century. He was physically only about one meter tall. Otherwise, he was a giant. His role was to always go for the laugh. He used his lack of size, the way Durante used his nose, but he was great at mugging for the camera and could deliver a one-liner with punch. "Could you spot me a five? I'm a little short." I always wanted to see him in a straight dramatic role, maybe as someone's father or brother with no referrence to his size. But maybe that wasn't his style. I'll miss him.
Howard