Dorothy the Dino aur: Who Play Her, Age, and More

If you grew up watching The Wiggles, the green dinosaur with yellow spots who adores roses is probably impossible to forget—yet her exact origins and the actors who have brought her to life remain surprisingly hazy outside dedicated fan circles. Here’s what’s actually known about the rosasaur, from her first appearance to the performers inside the costume today.

Species: Rosasaur ·
Color: Green with bright yellow spots ·
Favorite food: Roses ·
Affiliation: The Wiggles ·
Hobbies: Ballet and gardening

Six key details, one pattern: the character’s definition is well-documented, but the human side—who performs and when—relies heavily on fan-maintained wikis.

Who currently plays Dorothy the Dinosaur?

Current cast of The Wiggles

• According to Wikipedia’s Wiggles characters page, Dorothy is currently voiced by Maria Field and Caterina Mete. The same source notes the character is also performed in live shows by current Wiggles cast members, though specific names are not officially listed.
• Fan wikis (Wigglepedia) add that the costume is designed so the performer can see through the pupils, a practical detail for live performances.

Previous performers

• Fan-maintained records list a string of voice talents: Murray Cook (1991–1996), Anthony Field (briefly in 1993), Emma Butler (1994–1996), and Carolyn Ferrie (multiple spans from 1996 onward).
• These details are not officially confirmed, but the pattern suggests the role has rotated among trusted performers.

This split between public voice actors and anonymous live performers is common for mascot characters in children’s entertainment.

Was Emma ever Dorothy the Dinosaur?

Emma Watkins as Dorothy

• Yes—Emma Watkins portrayed Dorothy the Dinosaur from 2010 until 2015. This is one of the few performer facts consistently cited across both official and fan sources.
• Watkins later became the first female Wiggle (the Yellow Wiggle) and left the group in 2021. Her tenure as Dorothy helped establish the character’s modern personality: playful, kind, and always ready to dance.

Emma’s time with The Wiggles

• During her years inside the Dorothy costume, Watkins participated in live tours, TV episodes, and recordings. The character’s song “Dorothy the Dinosaur” became a staple of Wiggles concerts.
• After leaving the role, Watkins continued with the group as a singer/dancer until 2021, making her connection to Dorothy one of the longest of any performer.

The impact of Watkins’ portrayal is a key reason Dorothy remains among the most recognized Wiggly Friends.

Where does Dorothy the Dinosaur live?

The Wiggles’ garden

• Dorothy’s home is frequently shown as a pink and purple house with a large rose garden, as described on fan wikis. This setting appears in TV episodes and songs, reinforcing her love of roses and gardening.
• The garden is also the location for her “rosy tea” party segments, where she invites other Wiggly Friends.

Dorothy’s home set

• In live shows and video releases, Dorothy’s “house” is a colorful set piece with flowers, a watering can, and sometimes a ballet barre. The design has changed over the decades but always includes roses.
• The official Wiggles website also features a dedicated Dorothy section with garden imagery.

Dorothy’s fixed garden setting reinforces her role as a nurturing, home-bound character within the otherwise mobile Wiggles universe.

How old is Dorothy the Dinosaur?

Fictional age vs. performer age

• As a fictional character, Dorothy does not have a canonical age. One fan wiki states she is “five dinosaur years old,” but this is not official.
• The Wiggles have never published a birth year or age for Dorothy, likely to keep the character timeless and relatable for preschoolers.

Character background

• Dorothy is presented as a young, playful dinosaur who enjoys the same activities as her audience: dancing, gardening, and having tea parties. Her voice and mannerisms are consistently high-pitched and cheerful.
• The lack of an official age is a deliberate creative choice—it allows each generation of children to see Dorothy as a friend their own age.

The pattern: Age ambiguity helps the character endure. For families, it means Dorothy never “grows up” the way human performers do.

Who was Dorothy the Dinosaur?

Character design and species

• Dorothy is a rosasaur—a fictional dinosaur classification used by The Wiggles. The Wikipedia characters page calls her a “rososaurus,” but fan sites use “rosasaur.” Her design is a green dinosaur with bright yellow spots, wearing a white floppy hat with a red rose and white gloves.
• Her “scary teeth” are sometimes played for laughs, contrasting with her gentle personality.

Role in The Wiggles

• Dorothy is one of the Wiggly Friends—characters who live alongside the human Wiggles. She appears in TV episodes, songs, and live shows, teaching children about friendship, nature, and ballet.
• According to fan records, Dorothy was the first Wiggles character introduced in 1991, and her popularity later spawned her own TV series (2007–2011) and live tours.

What this means: Dorothy’s role as the breakout character of The Wiggles—appearing before the other Wiggly Friends—shows her centrality to the brand. She isn’t just a sidekick; she’s the first of the expanded cast.

Timeline of Dorothy the Dinosaur

• Early 1990s: Character introduced in early Wiggles performances. Exact year uncertain.
• 1997: Song “Dorothy the Dinosaur” released, becoming a fan favorite.
• 2007–2011: Dorothy spins off into her own TV series (per fan wiki).
• 2010: Emma Watkins begins portraying Dorothy.
• 2015: Emma Watkins leaves the role.
• 2024: Current cast voices (Maria Field, Caterina Mete) continue the character.

This timeline shows that Dorothy’s presence has been continuous for over three decades, despite changes in performers.

For more on iconic children’s entertainment characters, check out our guides on Pokemon Prismatic Evolution and Mario and Luigi.

Quotes about Dorothy the Dinosaur

Hi, I’m Dorothy the Dinosaur! I’m friends with the Wiggles and love roses and dancing ballet.

— Dorothy the Dinosaur, official Instagram bio

Dorothy was created because Murray Cook recognized that children are fascinated by dinosaurs.

— Wigglepedia (fan wiki)

For Australian families still discovering The Wiggles through streaming and live shows, the choice is clear: treat Dorothy as a constant friend rather than a fixed historical figure. Her value lies in what she teaches—kindness, a love of nature, and the joy of dancing—not in the performer, whether Emma Watkins or the current cast members, behind the spots.