Bari was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Port Washington,New York. She studied theater at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and began working in the New York theater, primarily musical theater, upon graduation. In 1979 when her first daughter was born she decided to quit acting to be with her daughter and a second daughter born in 1984. Her role in the Duplass brother's film, "The Puffy Chair", in 2005 marked a return to her first love, acting. There have been several subsequent films and theater in New York. Her performance in the Jerseyflix half hour comedy film, "Damaged Goods", earned her the grand jury prize of Best Supporting Actress for 2012 from the California Film Awards. The award ceremony was held in San Diego in January 2013.