Barberi was born in Saltillo, Coahuila, to a Mexican father of Italian descent and an American mother. Because of the nature of the careers of both her parents, Katie Barberi attended many different schools across the United States and Mexico. However, the unstable nature of her childhood is a circumstance she considers 100% positive. She had been exposed to different cultures and points of views about life, as well as having the benefit of learning both English and Spanish.
English language roles
At the age of 12, Barberi and her mother relocated to Los Angeles, California. She quickly began acting professionally in television, film, and on stage. During this time, she had the opportunity to do starring roles in three Disney films. She also played "Maria Delucci" in the NBC series The Bronx Zoo. In 1987, she appeared in the familyZ movie, The Garbage Pail Kids.