Benny the Bull‘s Real Name is Davis Alexander
The lovable mascot Benny the Bull has been entertaining Chicago Bulls fans since 1969. But few fans know the real identity behind the Benny mask – currently, it‘s a man named Davis Alexander. Read on for a deep dive into Benny‘s origins and the talented performers who have filled his shoes over the decades.
The Creation of Benny the Bull
Benny the Bull first appeared in 1969 as the official mascot for the new Chicago Bulls NBA franchise. He was given the name "Benny" as a play on the nickname for Benjamin. The Bulls felt a family-friendly bull character would connect with fans and bring energy to games.
Benny‘s origins trace back to legendary NBA promoter Sidney Wertimer. Along with the Boston Celtics‘ Lucky the Leprechaun, Benny was one of the earliest NBA mascots created by Wertimer to engage crowds. His vision was to make NBA games more fun and lighthearted for all ages.
Wertimer hoped Benny would become a beloved Chicago figure like Cubs mascot Babe Ruth. And over 50 years later, that vision has certainly become reality – Benny remains one of the NBA‘s most popular mascots. He even earned induction into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006!
Benny Performers Through the Years
While Benny the Bull has retained the same appearance for decades, a number of talented performers have filled his shoes over the years. Here‘s a look at the men behind the mask and how they developed Benny‘s lovable personality:
1960s-1970s: Barry Anderson
The original Benny the Bull from 1969 to 1976 was Barry Anderson, a Chicago local and NBA fan. Anderson helped establish Benny‘s goofy mannerisms and penchant for slapstick comedy. He set the foundation for Benny to be a fun-loving, approachable mascot.
1970s: Ray Ciers
In 1976, Ray Ciers took over as Benny for 3 years. He pushed Benny‘s physical comedy even further – introducing wild props like jet packs and trampolines into routines. Kids loved the aerial stunts!
1979-1984: David Raymond
For the 1979 season, David Raymond became the next full-time Benny. Raymond continued expanding Benny‘s stuntwork – flying off trampolines, crashing into walls, shooting trick hoops. His daredevil approach made Benny hugely popular throughout Chicago.
1980s: Bryan Zide
Bryan Zide took Benny in a more marketing-focused direction in the 1980s. He helped legally register Benny as an official trademark of the Chicago Bulls. This allowed the team to use Benny‘s likeness for merchandising – a huge source of revenue.
1989-1993: Barry Anderson Returns
In a fun twist, original Benny performer Barry Anderson returned to the role in 1989. His comedic timing and experience helped Benny thrive throughout the Bulls dynasty of the early 90s. Fans loved seeing the classic Benny back in action.
| Performer | Years as Benny | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Anderson | 1969-1976 1989-1993 |
Created Benny‘s personality and comedy |
| Ray Ciers | 1976-1979 | Added aerial stunts |
| David Raymond | 1979-1984 | Increased outrageous stuntwork |
| Bryan Zide | 1980s | Registered Benny as official trademark |
| Korey Higgins | 2002-2016 | Perfected matador routine |
| Davis Alexander | 2016-present | Returned Benny to comedic roots |
1990s-2000s: Ted Bedford, Korey Higgins
Other performers like Ted Bedford and Korey Higgins portrayed Benny in the 1990s and 2000s. They traveled with Benny across the country and overseas, cementing his reputation beyond Chicago. Higgins especially perfected Benny‘s hilarious matador routine.
2010s-Today: Davis Alexander
In 2016, the current Benny performer Davis Alexander took over. He had previously played Benny for the Chicago Rush arena football team. Alexander impressively returned Benny to his more comedic roots after years of more reserved performers. Fans have praised Alexander‘s energy and improv skills.
As we can see, a talented array of performers have developed the Benny the Bull character over the last 50 years. Each brought their own skills like choreography, physical comedy, branding, and marketing. Together they iteratively created the iconic Benny the Bull that delights Bulls fans today.
Life as Benny the Bull
For these elite performers, being Benny the Bull is both an exciting opportunity and highly demanding job. According to former Benny Bryan Zide, wearing the Benny suit feels like donning a 100-pound fur coat and requires incredible stamina.
The Benny performer attends every Chicago Bulls home game and arrives 2 hours early for suiting up. Getting into costume takes 30 minutes with assistance from a team of trainers. Once inside the suit, vision is extremely limited. Benny‘s giant head restricts visibility to just a few feet directly ahead. Peripheral vision is nearly nonexistent.
This makes Benny‘s acrobatic stunts even more impressive! The performer must carefully choreograph routines and rely on muscle memory. Meanwhile, they are blind to everything happening around them. Hundreds of hours of practice are needed to achieve Benny‘s polished performances.
Being the Bulls‘ most prominent ambassador is also a big responsibility. Benny must consistently maintain a family-friendly, engaging persona at games, events, and visits. No matter the weather or their personal mood, Benny has to project endless energy and fun.
Despite the hard work, performing as Benny offers huge rewards. The performer gets to bring joy to hundreds of thousands of people each year. Kids adore Benny – he‘s often the first mascot they meet and pose for photos with.
Bulls legend Scottie Pippen summed it up best when he said: "Benny has the dream job every child imagines – to grow up and be able to act goofy in front of thousands of people."
The Benny Behind the Mask: Davis Alexander
So who is the talented man currently behind the Benny mask? His name is Davis Alexander, a 32-year-old Florida native. Alexander inherited the Benny role in 2016 and has proven a flawless fit.
Alexander grew up dancing competitively and majored in theater in college. This athleticism and stage experience prepared him well for the physical demands and comedic skills needed for Benny.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Alexander admitted being Benny is his absolute dream job. He has always loved making people laugh. Portraying such an iconic mascot in front of 20,000 cheering fans is a thrill.
Bulls VP Steve Schanwald praised Alexander‘s natural comedic instincts and timing: "He has captured the mischievous, fun-loving, and approachable personality that Benny embodies so well."
Under Alexander‘s reign, Benny again feels like the center of attraction at Bulls‘ games. From clever dance routines to hilarious hijinks with fans, Alexander‘s Benny has fans young and old rolling with laughter.
The Benny magic even earned Alexander an invite to perform at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago. Benny felt like the consummate host entertaining basketball‘s biggest stars.
The Lasting Legacy of Benny the Bull
For over five amazing decades, Benny the Bull has sparked joy and laughter for Chicago Bulls fans of all ages. He has evolved from a simple sideshow mascot into a global icon with massive popularity and brand recognition.
It‘s a testament to both Benny‘s character and the wonderful performers who have inhabited him. Their collective spirit of fun-loving creativity gave life to Benny and sustained his legacy.
Today, Benny feels as relevant as ever thanks to Davis Alexander‘s performing talents. Benny continually finds new ways to surprise, amaze, and connect with fans. He reminds us that sports are ultimately about community, passion, and unbridled fun.
Whoever is in the suit, Benny the Bull represents the outrageous, lovable parts of Chicago. He has become ingrained in Bulls history and culture. Thanks to Benny‘s enduring legacy, he will keep creating lifelong memories for generations to come.