It’s actually kinda rare that a guy in a giant, fuzzy red suit becomes the face of a billion-dollar franchise. Especially when that franchise once had Michael Jordan. But for twelve years, Barry Anderson was essentially the heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls. He didn't just wear the suit; he completely reinvented what Benny the Bull was supposed to be.
Most people remember the popcorn. You know the clip—the one where a massive bucket of popcorn gets dumped over a fan in the front row, or better yet, over a confused couple on the Kiss Cam. That was Barry. He wasn't just a mascot. He was a high-flying, back-flipping, Ref-teasing athlete who somehow managed to make a 50-year-old character feel like the coolest thing in the United Center.
Then, in 2016, he just... stopped.
The Transition from Montana to the Windy City
Before he was Chicago royalty, Barry Anderson was a legend in a completely different jersey. He played Monte the Grizzly at the University of Montana. Honestly, his run there was so good that he won Capital One Mascot of the Year twice. That’s like winning back-to-back MVPs in the mascot world.
When the Bulls hired him in 2004, they didn't just give him the old suit. They actually redesigned the character to fit his specific brand of high-energy chaos. The "new" Benny was slimmer, more athletic, and capable of the kind of trampoline dunks that make your knees hurt just watching.
💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
He replaced Dan LeMonnier, who had been the "chubby" version of Benny for years. No disrespect to the classics, but Barry’s version was built for the social media age before social media even really took off. He was doing stunts that required serious core strength and a total lack of fear.
Why Barry Anderson Left Benny the Bull
By the time 2016 rolled around, Barry had spent over a decade taking massive physical punishment. Imagine doing backflips off a trampoline while wearing a heavy, heat-trapping costume that limits your peripheral vision to basically nothing. It’s brutal on the joints.
He announced his retirement on Facebook—an "impossibly difficult choice," he called it. He wanted to see the world without the "fuzzy red friend."
There were some rumors, of course. People on Reddit and Twitter (back when it was still Twitter) speculated about contract disputes. The Chicago Tribune reported at the time that the Bulls had offered him a new deal, but Barry turned it down. He wanted to travel. He wanted to pursue other interests. After 12 years of being the most famous bull in the world, he just wanted to be Barry.
📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
Life After the Red Suit
So, what does an elite-level mascot do when they hang up the fur?
Barry didn't just disappear. He stayed in the industry, but on the management and design side. He’s worked with JigSaw Entertainment, focusing on mascot branding, design, and performance coaching. Basically, he teaches the next generation how to not just be a guy in a suit, but a character that people actually care about.
He also stayed connected to his roots. He still makes appearances back in Montana, and he was even involved when Monte was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.
The Legacy of the 2004-2016 Era
If you look at the NBA today, almost every mascot is trying to do what Barry did. The "Single Ladies" dance? The silly string wars? The half-court backward shots? That’s the blueprint he laid down.
👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
- Mascot of the Year (2015): He went out on top, winning the league’s highest honor just a year before retiring.
- Forbes Recognition: In 2013, Forbes named Benny the Bull the most popular mascot in all of sports.
- Global Brand: He took Benny to Europe, Asia, and South America, turning a local Chicago icon into a global mascot superstar.
What Most Fans Get Wrong
A lot of people think there’s just one "Benny" and he’s been the same guy since 1969. Nope. There have been several. But the version of Benny the Bull that you see in viral TikToks or "Best of" compilations is almost always the character Barry Anderson built.
The current performers (led initially by his former assistant Joseph McGee after Barry stepped down) have to follow a "style guide" that Barry basically wrote with his own sweat. If the current Benny feels like a chaotic prankster, it’s because Barry proved that’s what sells tickets.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Aspiring Performers
If you’re a fan of the craft or someone looking to break into the entertainment industry, Barry’s career offers a few real lessons:
- Focus on the Brand, Not Just the Stunts: Barry succeeded because he gave Benny a personality. He wasn't just a dunker; he was a guy with an attitude.
- Physical Longevity is Key: If you’re a performer, take care of your knees. The mascot world is littered with people who had to quit after three years because of ligament tears.
- Look for the Hall of Fame: If you're ever in Whiting, Indiana, go visit the Mascot Hall of Fame. You can see the history of guys like Barry and the characters they brought to life.
Barry Anderson showed that you don't need to be 6'6" to be a Chicago Bulls legend. You just need a red suit, a lot of popcorn, and a complete disregard for the laws of physics.