Billy Barkhurst

Billy Barkhurst is a puppeteer whose first Muppet credits include Sesame Street season 41 and the special Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure In Tough Times.

Barkhurst started performing Ernie in 2009, providing the voice for several live stage shows. He replaced Steve Whitmire as the primary performer of Ernie in 2014, puppeteering and voicing the character from seasons 45 through 48 and in other public appearances.