Down in the Valley: Debi Derryberry
July 7, 2009 by Karen
Filed under Down in the Valley, Featured
BY KAREN YOUNG
Toluca Lake resident Debi Derryberry is a popular children’s entertainer and voice-over artist who has two award-winning CDs — “Very Derryberry” and “What A Way To Play.” Most recently, Debi introduced kids and families a new preschool character, “Baby Banana,” with a brand new CD, “Debi Derryberry’s Baby Banana,” a book, “Baby Banana and the Licorice Tree,” live act and website, www.mybabybanana.com.
Debi Derryberry with her voice-over characters. She's probably best known for "Jimmy Neutron."
Probably best known as “the voice of Jimmy Neutron,” Derryberry grew up in Indio, California where she starting writing songs at the age of nine when she got her first guitar. She went on the traditional route , graduating from UCLA in pre-med, however, music lured her away and she ended up in Nashville, Tennessee for a few years. She ended up back in Los Angeles to pursue a voice-over career.
Debi can be heard in “Ice Age 2″ and Disney’s “The Wild.” On the small screen, some of her most prominent work includes Gnocchi from “Curious George,” Clay on Playhouse Disney, Weenie from “Oswald the Octopus,” “Zatch Bell,” Ryo Ohki from “Tenchi Muyo,” Jackie from “Bobby’s World,” Jeannie from the Emmy Nominated “Life with Louie” and Wednesday from “The Addams Family.”
Also an on-camera actress, Debi’s television credits include “iCarly.” Feature films include “Ghostworld,” “Comic Book the Movie” and “Free Willy” — Debi was the stunt double who actually rode the whale. Go figure.
Here’s her view of the Valley.
DOWN IN THE VALLEY
Q. How long have you lived in the Valley?
A. I have lived in the Valley since 1988.
Q. What brought you to the Valley?
A. I found that I liked it much more than any other part of Los Angeles.
Q.How do you describe the Valley?
A. There are lots of straight streets, it is typically hot and dry and easy to find parking. The Valley is also a family friendly place where you can feel like you are in a small community even though you are part of the larger metropolis area of Los Angeles.
Q.What’s the best thing about the Valley?
A. The best thing about the Valley is the parking. Compared to “over the hill” it is much easier to find parking here…and Menchie’s Yogurt.
Q. Who’s the funniest person in the Valley?
A. I think there are several, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Me.
Her newest project, Baby Banana, is a book and a CD.
Q. What can you get in the Valley you can’t get anywhere else?
A. You can get to a supermarket (with great parking) easily. And you can usually count on sunshine much earlier in the day than other parts of L.A.
Q. What’s a little unknown Valley secret?
A. The Toluca Lake Farmer’s Market, which is on the weekend, and the great yard sales.
Q.What is the most misunderstood thing about the Valley?
A. I’m not sure why “The Valley” has a stigma attached to it. I love it here and would not want to live anywhere else! It is close to everything!
Q. What’s the Valley’s number one treasure (in your mind)?
A. The soil is perfect for growing vegetables.
Q. What is the biggest misconception about the Valley?
A. That it is unclassy to live here. However, most of my friends and neighbors are in the “entertainment business,” actors, producers, directors, musicians and agents. Go figure. I think it is a great place to live.
Q. What are some of your favorite finds?
A. I like the American Way Thrift Shop on Magnolia near Pass. It is lots of fun to go there. Also Lotus Vegan on Vineland Ave in North Hollywood, Madeline’s Bistro on Ventura Blvd. near Reseda, and Magnolia Grill on Magnolia near Cahuenga.
Q. What do you usually do on a weekend morning?
A. As a family we either walk to Magnolia Grill and have breakfast, go for a hike in Fryman Canyon, or we go check out the yard sales. Or I go to my favorite workout at Cardio Barre on Riverside Drive near Whitsett.
Q. What are some of your favorite restaurants?
A. Lotus Vegan on Vineland Ave in North Hollywood, Ca Del Sol, Madeline’s Bistro on Ventura near Reseda, Magnolia Grill on Magnolia near Cahuenga, and Menchie’s Yogurt.
Debi Derryberry with guitar and current alter ego, Baby Banana.
A. What are some of your favorite stores?
Q. Lucy, American Way Thrift Shop, Storyopolis, and all the little boutiques on Tujunga near Moorpark.
A. What is a quintessential Valley place?
Q. Aroma Café on Tujunga and Moorpark, or the Sherman Oaks Mall on Riverside.
A. What is the most romantic spot in the Valley?
Q. Madeline’s Bistro in Tarzana.
A. How do you relax in the Valley?
Q. We go to the park on Magnolia and Tujunga, spread out a blanket and feed the squirrels.
A. Do you have a favorite place in the Valley? A secret place? A hideaway?
Q. I like hiking the Fryman Canyon Trail off Laurel Canyon. Also Menchie’s Yogurt!!!! We LOVE Menchie’s.
Q. Where do you go when you want to get out of the Valley?
A. Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Big Bear or NY.
Q. If you didn’t live in the Valley, where would you live?
A. I don’t want to live anywhere else. I like it here. I like my work and being close to the studios. If I didn’t work and wanted a long get-away, I might like to stay near the ocean for a bit – but not permanently. I like the heat because I grew up in the desert.
For more information on Debi Derryberry, go to www.debiderryberry.com
Karen Young is the Publisher/Editor of MY DAILY FIND
