Barry was born in Traverse City, Michigan - the third of four children (Scott & Christie are older, Kip is the younger). His dad was an attorney and his mother was a paralegal. At age 8, he moved to Dallas where he started modeling. At age 14, his parents divorced. At age 15, he took off for Burbank, California and almost immediately got a job on the NBC soap Cruise of Deception: Days of Our Lives. That job lasted for 6 months, that he struggled. He returned to Dallas and graduated high school from Richardson High in 1992. At age 19, he returned to L.A., again determined to make it. He started parking cars at the House of Blues, but, after 6 months, he was selected to appear on the Aaron Spelling series, Malibu Shores. Tori Spelling introduced him to his future wife, Laura Payne-Gabriel.


Diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, and began treatment for it, May 2002. Studied acting at the Dallas Young Actors Studio. Is an avid basketball fan and often attends Los Angeles Clippers home games.