Barrett began acting as a child, appearing on BBC children's television and in films such as the 1955 version of War and Peace, appearing with Henry Fonda. Later films included Sink the Bismarck!, Hellboats, and Best, and TV appearances include Father Ted and Z Cars. Barrett works more frequently as a voice actor, playing Tik-Tok in Return to Oz, dubbing parts in the anime productions Dominion Tank Police and Rôjin Z, and as an audio-book and documentary narrator.