Christopher Jonathon Barrie was born in Hannover, Germany on 28th March 1960. He was brought up in Northern Ireland, and was Head Boy in his final year at school, and played the lead role in 'Dial M for Murder' at school.

He started a Business Studies Course at Brighton Polytechnic, but dropped out and went onto have a string of jobs ranging from a grave filler in High Wycombe (your wonderful webmisstress's home town!) to lawnmower operator. The jobs wern't as such as a let down as they seemed, because his talent for impression started by impersonating members of staff at work!

Chris's television debut was in the Jasper Carrot Election Special '83, and it was on this that he met Rob Grant and Doug Naylor. Chris also appeared in Son of a Cliche as one of the main voices for the show. He also toured the UK with his Red Dwarf co-star Norman Lovett in The Lovett and Barrie Stand Up Show.

In 1988, Chris starred as the insufferable Arnold Judas Rimmer in Rob and Doug's Sci-Fi Sitcom 'Red Dwarf', but his acting talents go far from stopping there. He's also starred in The Brittas Empire, A Prince Amoung Men, Blackadder III, Spitting Image, The Young Ones, Happy Families, Alas Smith and Jones, The Lenny Henry Show, Lenny Henry Tonight, Filthy Rich and Catflap, the New Statesman, 3 episodes of Jackanory, Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie, Pushing up Daisies, Coming Next, Testimony, Live! From London, White Goods, Chris Barrie's Motoring Wheel Nuts, Treasure Island and Get Fit with Brittas.