Sheryl Leach

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Sheryl Stamps Leach from Dallas, Texas, is one of the creators of the popular children's show Barney & Friends. Kathy Parker is the other creator.

Leach, a former teacher, worked with Parker on the idea that would become the eventual TV show in 1987. Originally, the star was going to be a bear, but since her son liked dinosaurs, the character became a dinosaur. Leach then brought together a team who created a series of home videos, Barney and the Backyard Gang. The videos were sold directly to the public. Later, in 1991, Connecticut Public Television employee Larry Rifkin rented a Barney video for his daughter. He liked the concept, so he spoke with Leach and other creators about putting Barney on TV. In October of that year, production started. In April 1992, it first aired on Public Broadcasting Service.

Currently, Leach's company SL Productions LLC is developing a feature film of The Unicorn Sonata, based on the novel by Peter S. Beagle. Additionally she has created and funded the Shei'rah Foundation, a not-for-profit organization using media to encourage understanding between differing cultures.