Andrea Barber is an American actress best known for her iconic role as the quirky neighbor Kimmy Gibbler on the beloved ABC sitcom Full House and its Netflix revival, Fuller House. Born Andrea Laura Barber on July 3, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, she was raised by her mother, Sherry Barber, a schoolteacher, and her stepfather, Donald Banks, a Methodist minister. Her early exposure to the entertainment industry came through commercials, leading to her professional acting debut at the age of four.

Her first major television role arrived in 1982 when she was cast as Carrie Brady on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. This early success paved the way for the part that would define her career. In 1987, Barber was cast as Kimmy Gibbler, the eccentric and lovably awkward best friend of D.J. Tanner (played by Candace Cameron Bure) on Full House. With her unique fashion sense, bizarre anecdotes, and penchant for malodorous feet, Kimmy became a fan-favorite character throughout the show's eight-season run, providing countless comedic moments alongside stars like Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier.

Following the conclusion of Full House in 1995, Barber chose to step away from acting to focus on her education and personal life. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Whittier College and later a master's degree in women's studies from the University of York in England. She married Jeremy Rytky in September 2002, with whom she had two children, and the couple divorced in 2014. For nearly two decades, she lived a life largely out of the Hollywood spotlight, working in higher education at Whittier College.

In a celebrated return to television, Barber reprised her role as Kimmy Gibbler for the Netflix sequel series Fuller House in 2016. Her comeback was met with immense enthusiasm from fans, and she appeared as a series regular throughout all five seasons, showcasing Kimmy's evolution into a wife, mother, and successful party planner. The role earned her a new generation of admirers and solidified her place in television history. Since Fuller House concluded in 2020, Barber has enjoyed a continued connection with her fanbase through public appearances, podcasts, and social media, embracing her status as a cherished figure from a defining era of family sitcoms.