Barbara Eve Harris was born in Trinidad and Tobago of Jamaican parents, and moved to Canada at the age of 6 with her family. Raised and educated in Ottawa, the national capital, she graduated from the University of Ottawa with a B.A. (concentration in Theatre and Philosophy). The initial plan was for Law School, but despite offers of admission, including scholarships, she followed her heart to be a performer instead.
Though trained mainly as an actor, Barbara's professional career began with a dance role in New York City in "Follies de Paris", a Vegas style review. It was dancing that led to her film debut in "Night Magic", a fantasy musical shot in Montreal, Quebec. This first movie role also meant a return to acting, and led to a thriving film and television career of 25 years (to date).
A recipient of several regional Canadian awards for acting, and a Gemini nomination for Best Actress In A Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (as Wanda Gibbs in "Side Effects"), she chose to expand her horizons and relocated to Los Angeles in 1998.
Barbara's many starring roles span the range from tough U.S. Army Ranger Drill Instructor, Sgt. Rhodes ("Dead Men Can't Dance"), to grief stricken widow and mother, Janice Crosby, opposite Louis Gossett Jr. ("In His Father's Shoes"). The list of her credits now comprises 9 theatrical features; 20 television features; and over 100 episodic T.V. appearances including the role of FBI Agent Felicia Lang in the final 3 seasons of the hit series, "Prison Break."
One of Barbara's favorite perquisites of being an actor is the opportunity to travel. Aside from numerous locations within North America, she has enjoyed filming in the Philippines ("Dead Men Can't Dance"), New Zealand ("The Nightmare Man"), Hawaii ("E.R."), and Bogota, Colombia, ("Mental"). Her fantasy gig? A dance/action/drama shot on location throughout Europe.
