Bari was born in the vibrant city of Brooklyn, New York, and spent her formative years in the charming town of Port Washington, also located in New York. She embarked on a journey of self-discovery and artistic expression by studying theater at the esteemed University of Wisconsin in Madison. Upon graduation, she began her professional career in the New York theater scene, specializing in musical theater and quickly making a name for herself.
However, in 1979, a life-changing event occurred when her first daughter was born, and she decided to put her acting career on hold to focus on being a devoted mother. A second daughter was born in 1984, and Bari dedicated herself to raising her children.
Years later, in 2005, she made a triumphant return to her first love, acting, with a memorable role in the Duplass brothers' film, "The Puffy Chair". This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career, with numerous films and theater productions in New York following suit.
Her outstanding performance in the JerseyFlix half-hour comedy film, "Damaged Goods", earned her the prestigious grand jury prize for Best Supporting Actress at the 2012 California Film Awards. The award ceremony took place in San Diego in January 2013, a testament to Bari's exceptional talent and dedication to her craft.