[2] Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Barrie moved with his family to Yonkers, New York in 1952, where he attended public schools, going on to major in theater at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Given Conscientious Objector status by his local draft board during the Vietnam War, Barrie trained as a combat medic.
A conversation with his brother, a career officer who had just returned from two years there, confirmed Barrie's decision to desert[3] and leave the U.S. for Canada.
June 16, 2010, Barrie was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Toronto's York University.
[7] On December 30, 2012, it was announced that Barrie was admitted to the Order of Canada for his achievements in Canadian broadcasting, and for his advocacy on behalf of those living with Parkinson's disease.