Chris Barnes (III)

Biography: When Chris Barnes was 17, he moved from his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to New York City. It was in New York where he began his comedy career, doing standup at the famous comedy club Catch A Rising Star, under the tutelage of Richard Belzer. Soon afterwards he took a job working at WPIX-FM in New York, producing live concert radio shows with groups that included the B-52s, The Police and Debbie Harry.

While the plaster was still being poured at the offices of MTV, Barnes became their first writer. He also spent time developing pilot radio shows for Rolling Stone Radio Productions and for National Lampoon Productions. Later on he became a writer for Saturday Night Live, where he wrote Jim Belushi's "Rappin' Jimmy B." After getting a taste of his own writing produced, he decided to learn the craft of performing sketch comedy. He moved to Chicago and became a part of their Second City training program. It was there that Barnes met Bonnie Hunt. Eventually both actorsWhen Chris Barnes was 17, he moved from his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to New York City. It was in New York where he began his comedy career, doing standup at the famous comedy club Catch A Rising Star, under the tutelage of Richard Belzer. Soon afterwards he took a job working at WPIX-FM in New York, producing live concert radio shows with groups that included the B-52s, The Police and Debbie Harry.

While the plaster was still being poured at the offices of MTV, Barnes became their first writer. He also spent time developing pilot radio shows for Rolling Stone Radio Productions and for National Lampoon Productions. Later on he became a writer for Saturday Night Live, where he wrote Jim Belushi's "Rappin' Jimmy B."

After getting a taste of his own writing produced, he decided to learn the craft of performing sketch comedy. He moved to Chicago and became a part of their Second City training program. It was there that Barnes met Bonnie Hunt. Eventually both actors were among those chosen to come to Los Angeles where they opened Second City West. Today Barnes is the Artistic Director of his own improvisational acting school, Comedy Dojo, in Santa Monica, California. Recently he sold a pilot based on his teachings at Comedy Dojo.

Barnes has guest-starred in a number of television series, including Who's the Boss?, Seinfeld, Baghdad Café and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

His film credits include Taking Care of Business and Triple Cross, a martial arts film where he was able to use his third degree black belt karate skills. Most recently Barnes appeared in the movie Return to Me.
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