Norberto Barba was born in the Bronx, New York in 1963 to Cuban émigré parents. In his early years, he attended Regis High School and became heavily involved in the dramatic arts department. When later he attended Columbia University, he took graduate film courses with noted filmmaker Stefan Sharff and attended revival house screenings and Broadway shows, furthering his love of the dramatic arts that was shaped at Regis. Barba would then transfer to USC School of Cinematic Arts to pursue an undergraduate in production, and ultimately attend AFI to make his directorial debut with the short Chavez Ravine.
Barba’s feature and movies for television credits include the titles Blue Tiger, Solo and Apollo 11. His numerous episodic television credits include New York Undercover, Resurrection Blvd., CSI: Miami, The Mentalist, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, CSI: NY, Better Call Saul, and notably Grimm and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, for which he both Produced and Directed.
Barba’s Directorial credits are matched only in his service to the Guild. Most recently he has served on the 2023 Negotiating Committee, in addition to the 2020 cycle. He has also served on the National Board since 2021, as well as the Western Directors Council for three terms. In addition, he has served on the Diversity Task Force and Television Creative Rights Committee and is currently part of the DGA PAC Leadership Council. He has been a member of the Directors Guild since 1994.