Andrea Barber brought boundless energy and comic relief to Full House as the unforgettable Kimmy Gibbler. With her quirky outfits and awkward confidence, she became a cult favorite—someone viewers either adored or rolled their eyes at, but never forgot.
Behind the scenes, however, Andrea Barber’s life was anything but comedic. From retreating from fame entirely after the show ended to suffering a crippling battle with mental illness, Barber’s story is one of quiet resilience and personal healing.
Though she’s mostly avoided traditional scandal, her openness about divorce, depression, and life as a former child star reveals an honest and powerful narrative often missing in Hollywood.
Leaving Hollywood at Her Peak
After Full House ended in 1995, Andrea Barber shocked fans and producers by walking away from acting altogether.
Unlike her co-stars who sought bigger fame, Barber enrolled in college, studied abroad, and earned a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies. She married, had two children, and seemed to have found peace in a “normal” life.
However, beneath the surface, unresolved trauma from her time in the public eye, combined with major life changes, would eventually take a toll on her mental health.
Divorce and the Mental Health Spiral
In 2014, after more than a decade of marriage, Andrea suddenly divorced her husband Jeremy Rytky. The breakdown of her marriage was deeply personal, and Barber rarely spoke about it publicly—until the release of her memoir, Full Circle: From Hollywood to Real Life and Back Again.
In the book, she revealed that the divorce sent her into a severe depression. She described suffering from debilitating anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia.
“There were days I couldn’t get out of bed,” she wrote. “I couldn’t be the mom I wanted to be.”
Barber also admitted to hiding her suffering from family and friends. She went to therapy and began taking medication, slowly rebuilding her emotional stability.
Her raw honesty about the taboo topic of mental health in Hollywood won praise but also made her vulnerable to public judgment.
Return to Fame with Fuller House — and the Pressure That Came With It
When Fuller House was announced, Barber was reluctant to return. She feared revisiting her childhood character, not just because of the performance demands but also due to her fragile mental state.
Eventually, she agreed—and fans were thrilled. Kimmy Gibbler became one of the most beloved characters in the reboot, even more than in the original.
But the comeback wasn’t smooth sailing.
Barber spoke about the anxiety attacks she faced before filming and how difficult it was to balance motherhood, performance, and emotional healing.
She also struggled with public scrutiny on her appearance, a challenge many women in the industry face, especially after years away from the spotlight.
Tabloid Rumors and False Narratives
Though Andrea hasn’t faced major scandals, tabloids have occasionally spun false stories, including fake dating rumors involving co-stars and exaggerated headlines about her divorce.
Some articles even speculated about supposed rifts between her and Candace Cameron Bure or Jodie Sweetin. Barber has consistently denied these claims, describing the cast as “a true family” even amid personal differences.
She often uses her platform to debunk misinformation, showing the importance of narrative control in a digital age.
Activism and Advocacy
Since going public with her struggles, Barber has become a mental health advocate, speaking at conferences and sharing resources with fans.
She emphasizes the need for authentic conversation about depression, especially for women and parents who often feel pressure to appear strong.
FAQs
Q1: Why did Andrea Barber quit acting after Full House?
She chose to focus on her education and personal life, leaving Hollywood entirely for many years.
Q2: What caused her depression?
Barber has cited her divorce, the pressures of fame, and long-standing anxiety as key factors.
Q3: Is she still close to her Full House co-stars?
Yes. Despite media rumors, she maintains strong relationships with the cast, especially Jodie Sweetin.
Q4: What has she done since Fuller House ended?
She’s written a memoir, become a mental health advocate, and occasionally participates in fan events.
Q5: Did she face any professional scandals?
No major scandals, but she has faced tabloid misrepresentation and false rumors.
