Monica Barbaro is a dynamic American actress whose transition from ballet-trained dancer to acclaimed performer, from Top Gun: Maverick to her Oscar-nominated Joan Baez role, marks her as Hollywood’s rising star.
Early Life & Education
Monica Maria Barbaro was born on June 17, 1990, in San Francisco and raised in Mill Valley, California, graduating from Tamalpais High School in 2007.
She began studying dance early and went on to earn a BFA in dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2010, where she also took acting electives.
After graduation, she returned to San Francisco, booked commercials and short films, and began acting training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
Monica Barbaro’s Career
Monica Barbaro initially drew notice in 2013 for the viral short It’s Not About the Nail, a witty take on communication dynamics in relationships.
Her television breakthrough came with the role of Yael in the Netflix drama UnREAL (2016), followed by appearances in Chicago P.D. (2016–17) and Chicago Justice (2017), solidifying her presence in ensemble TV storytelling.
In 2018, she starred as Detective Cora Vasquez in The Good Cop alongside Josh Groban and Tony Danza. She further expanded her TV resume with roles in Splitting Up Together (2018–19), Stumptown (2019), and Fubar.
Barbaro’s major career leap came in 2022 with Top Gun: Maverick, where she portrayed Lieutenant Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, her first pilot role, training rigorously through 40 hours of flight and survival prep. Her ballet background gave her a notable advantage in managing the physical demands and high G-forces.
In film, she made her feature debut in The Cathedral (2021), followed by the romantic comedy At Midnight (2023), in which critics praised her charm and dance ability, noting she skillfully performed a salsa–tango fusion onscreen.
Her latest achievement is her portrayal of Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown (2024)—a biopic of Bob Dylan directed by James Mangold.
This role earned her nominations for both the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She even attended a tribute concert where she met Baez personally, an emotionally resonant encounter in her Bay Area hometown.
Monica Barbaro’s acting reflects a consistent pursuit of authenticity—embracing imperfect, human stories over spectacle.
Following her Oscar nod, she continues to diversify her roles, joining new films with high-profile collaborators and heading to the Royal National Theatre for a West End revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses alongside Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner.
Personal Life
Monica Barbaro’s multicultural upbringing includes Italian-American, Mexican, German, and Nicaraguan heritage, raising awareness about cultural identity and belonging in her career choices.
Her father, Nicholas Barbaro, serves as a neurosurgery professor at UT Austin’s Dell Medical School and attended the Oscars with her, highlighting their close bond.
She has also been romantically linked to actor Andrew Garfield since early 2025, seen together at events including Wimbledon and the Oscars. While they haven’t confirmed their relationship, their chemistry continues to attract media attention.
Net Worth
Estimates of Monica Barbaro’s net worth vary. Celebrity Net Worth places it at approximately $2 million, reflecting her steadily rising career across film and television.
Another entertainment outlet estimates about $3 million in 2025, based on her expanding portfolio and breakout roles.
While multiple figures circulate, the modest range suggests a growing but grounded financial profile reflecting her ongoing ascent.
