Biography

Mexican American bilingual actress Katie Barberi is one of the most recognizable telenovela stars of her time. Since beginning her career over four decades ago, Katie has enjoyed a successful career in both English and Spanish speaking television on a global level.

By eight years of age, Katie knew she wanted to be an actress and a singer. At nine, Katie appeared in "Macbeth" and "La Boheme" in the Children's Chorus of The Nevada Opera Company, honing her skills as a Soprano. At ten, Katie debuted on stage in Los Angeles as "Babette" in Lillian Hellman's "Watch on the Rhine".

In her teen years, she had the opportunity to do starring roles in three Disney films: "Spooner", "Appearances", and "Not Quite Human II", opposite Robert Urich, Ernest Borgnine and Alan Thicke. Guest starring roles included debuting in network television opposite Jason Bateman in "It's Your Move", and opposite Michael Landon in his final made for TV movie, "Us" She played Maria Delucci in a recurring role in the NBC series "The Bronx Zoo". At fifteen, Katie starred opposite Anthony Newley and Mackenzie Astin in the now cult classic film "The Garbage Pail Kids Movie".

Katie moved to Mexico City in 1994, and starred in such record-breaking telenovelas as "Alguna Vez Tendremos Alas" opposite Kate del Castillo, "El Privilegio de Amar" opposite Helena Rojo, "Por Tu Amor", and "Salome" for the Mexico City-based studio, Televisa. She then starred in such Telemundo mega hits as "Doña Barbara" and "Eva La Trailera", opposite Edith Gonzalez, Bella Calamidades, and Mi Corazon Insiste opposite Jen Carlos Canela.

Katie starred for three seasons and 200 Episodes as Úrsula on the hit Nickelodeon Latin America television series "Grachi". She then completed four seasons of the hit Nickelodeon series, "Every Witch Way", which aired on Nickelodeon prime-time, reprising the role in English she made famous in "Grachi".

English-speaking television roles also include "Burn Notice" opposite Sharon Gless, the USA Network pilot "The Arrangement" opposite John Pankow, and playing Brenda McKinney, in "Chicago Fire".

Katie has starred in several premiere stage productions in the United States and Mexico, including the rock opera "Dracula", "Equus", "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" and the critically acclaimed comedy "Sweet Fifteen" at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, ending its initial run in 2006. In 2018, Katie was very excited to return to the stage in "Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. In 2019, she starred in the world premiere of "The Abuelas" at Victory Gardens. In 2022, Katie fulfilled a dream of starring in Lin Manuel Miranda's "In the Heights" as "Camila Rosario".

Film roles in 2022 and 2023 included "Presidenta Alegria" in the post-apocalyptic film short "Power Day", and the opening cameo as John Kramer's cancer support group leader in "Saw X".

In 2024, Katie had the pleasure of playing the role of "Liz Avrell" in the critically acclaimed Mexican and Italian co-production "Casi El Paraiso (Quite Like Paradise). Also in 2024, she played "Isabella" in the first co-production Mexico / India, "Valentina, Mi Amor Especial".

In 2025, Katie made a special appearance in the Telemundo production of "Sed de Venganza" opposite her longtime costar Saul Lizaso. Also in 2025, she played Sophie Turner's make-up artist in the horror suspense film directed by Carlson Young, "Trust".

So far in 2026, Katie has played Oliver Platt's family doctor "Emily Klein" on "Chicago Med", starred in the first Spanish-speaking vertical production for Drama Box, "Divorciados el Dia de la Boda", and in April completed filming of the upcoming film "De Noche", written and directed by Todd Haynes, and starring Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez.

Katie was Co-Chair of the SagAftra negotiating committee for the first Spanish speaking television contract in United States history. She is repped in Mexico by BluTalent.

Instagram: @therealkatiebarberi
- IMDb mini biography by: Bridge and Tunnel Communications