Andrea Barber: Days of Our Lives-Full House and beyond

Days of Our Lives was the beginning

Andrea Barber was born on July 3, 1976 in Los Angeles, California who has been acting for 40 of her 45 years. She earned a degree in English from Whittier College in 1999 and also has an MA in Women's Studies from the University of York, England. She later became the assistant to the director of Whittier College's Office of International Programs.

Long-time Days of Our Lives fans will recall Barber's first major role was originating the role of Carrie Brady from 1982 to 1986. Andrea was a cute little girl and fans quickly fell in love with her. She was adored by her uncle Bo Brady (Peter Reckell). Carrie is the daughter of Roman Brady(then Wayne Northrop now Josh Taylor) and Anna Brady DiMera (Leanne Hundley) but was raised by her stepmother Marlena Evans Brady Black ( Deidre Hall).

Full and Fuller House years

Barber is best known for her role on the sitcoms Full House and Fuller House as Kimmy Gibbler, the best friend of D.J. Tanner, (Candance Cameron Bure). Andrea was witty, energetic and knew when she had worn out her welcome at the Tanner home. her quick exits always amused the fans. As Kimmie, Barber matured right in front of the television audience from a young girl, to a teen and into a beautiful young woman.

During her time on the original show which was from 1987 to 1995. In the beginning, Kimmie was only a recurring role but soon became a regular on the show. Barber retired from acting after Full House ended but in 2012, reprised the role for a Funny or Die sketch called It's F*ckin Late. Dave Coulier, her former Full House co-star who portrayed Joey Gladstone was working beside her.

Barber reprised Kimmy Gibbler in the Full House spin-off series Fuller House along with Bure and Jodie Sweetin who portrayed Stephanie Tanner. The series aired for 5 seasons on Netflix from February 26, 2016, until June 2, 2020.

Andrea Barber other accomplishments

The actress was in three television movies, The Skateboard Kid, To Grandmother's House, We Go, and Do You Remember Love. She also appeared in many TV series including Fantasy Island, St. Elsewhere, Our House, The Twilight Zone, Hollywood Darlings, That Girl Lay Lay, and The Wonderful World of Color. Gibbler was also a guest host on the CBS show The Talk.

The actress has been nominated numerous times for various awards including Best Young Actress Co-starring in a Television Series in 1993 and Best Youth Comedienne in a TV Show in 1995. In 2016, along with Candace Cameron Bure and Jodie Sweetin Barber was nominated for Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Chemistry for Fuller House. The talented actress has also garnered 4 wins.

In 1982 and 1985 she won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Youth Actress in a Daytime Soap Opera for Days of Our Lives. She won the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Television Series Full House in 1990 and in 1991. She won the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Supporting or Re-Occurring Role for a TV Series Full House.

Andrea Barber personal life

Barber is one of the few child stars to maintain a career as a teenager and a young adult. She also seems to have escaped the so-called curse of child stardom that has led many of her peers to alcohol, drugs, jail time, early death, and or suicide. In 2002 Andrea married Lawyer Jeremy Rytky and the couple had two children Felicity Ruth Rytky, and Tate James Rytky but they divorced in 2014.

Full House is currently airing on MeTV on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 PM EST.