Ariela Barer

Ariela Barer was born on October 14, 1998, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents, both Mexican-born Jews, encouraged her early interest in performing; she began acting at the age of three in children’s theater and professionally at nine. During her formative years, Barer also engaged with music, learning piano, guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, and briefly the cello. She was a member of an indie rock band called The Love-Inns during high school. Her early career included guest appearances on television shows such as ‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’ (2007–2019), ‘ER’ (2008), ‘New Girl’ (2012), and ‘Modern Family’ (2014), laying a foundation for her later, more prominent roles. Barer maintains that her parents emphasized education throughout her early acting career.

Barer’s career progression saw a significant turning point with her role as Gert Yorkes in the Hulu series ‘Runaways,’ which aired from 2017 to 2019 across 33 episodes. This role established her as a recognizable figure in the television landscape. Following ‘Runaways,’ she took on characters like Bailey Bennett in ‘Atypical’ (2017–2018) for seven episodes and Ziggy Bello in ‘Rebel’ (2021) for 10 episodes, further expanding her presence in notable streaming and network productions. In 2022, Barer co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline,’ where she played the character Xochitl. This project showcased her involvement beyond acting, encompassing writing and producing responsibilities. Her work in ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, drawing attention to her multifaceted talents. She is also slated to appear as Mel in three episodes of the second season of HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ in 2025.

Beyond her on-screen and behind-the-scenes work, Barer is actively vocal about social justice and environmental issues. Her commitment to these causes influenced her role in ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline,’ a film addressing climate activism. She has spoken about how this character reflected her personal journey and disillusionment with established systems. In 2016, Barer publicly disclosed her sexual orientation via Twitter, contributing to discussions on representation and identity within the entertainment industry. She continues to engage with her audience on social media, using platforms like Instagram to share both personal insights and career updates, including behind-the-scenes content from her projects.