Andrea Barber Facts: Celebrities Who Started on Soaps

Andrea Barber is primarily a television actress best known for playing Kimmy Gibbler in both Full House and its reboot, Fuller House. She also got to write an episode of the latter. But she got her show biz start on a soap.

Along with those two iconic roles, Barber has also appeared on shows such as Growing Pains, St. Elsewhere, and Fantasy Island. From where she was born and raised to her struggles with anxiety and depression, here are five fast facts about the actress.

Who Is Andrea Barber?

Barber was born on July 3 in Los Angeles, California, and she grew up there as well — the youngest of three children. She graduated from La Serna High School and then went on to attend Whittier College, where she got a degree in English. She also earned her MA in Women’s Studies from the University of York, England.

Soap Beginnings
Barber originated the role of Carrie Brady on Days of our Lives, the daughter of Roman Brady (then Wayne Northrop) and Anna (Leann Hunley). She played Carrie for about four years. Barber also guest-starred on a number of shows including Fantasy Island and The Twilight Zone.

Anxiety and Depression Struggles
Barber recently revealed in her memoir, Full Circle: From Hollywood to Real Life and Back Again, that she suffered from serious anxiety and depression. It all started when she was working on Full House the first time. The actress/writer explained that she would repeatedly throw up before every taping and that it often paralyzed her.

Momentarily Retired

Following her time on Full House, which wrapped in 1995, Barber took a step away from the entertainment industry. She essentially retired for over 15 years and focused on starting her family. She also worked at her alma mater in the Office of International Programs.

Getting Personal With Andrea Barber
Barber married Jeremy Rytky in 2002 and they have two children together — daughter Felicity, born in 2007, and son Tate, born in 2004. However, Barber and Rytky divorced in 2014.