Robin Tunney was born on June 19, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois, to a car salesman father and a bartender mother. She is of Irish descent. Tunney was raised in Palos Heights, Illinois, and attended Carl Sandburg High School. She studied acting at the Chicago Academy for the Arts before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career.
Tunney began her acting career with guest appearances on television shows such as “Life Goes On,” “Class of ’96,” and “Law & Order.” Her breakthrough role came in 1995 with the cult classic film “Empire Records,” where she played Debra, a rebellious record store employee. This role brought her wider recognition and solidified her presence in the industry.
Following “Empire Records,” Tunney gained further acclaim for her role as Sarah Bailey in the 1996 supernatural horror film “The Craft.” Her performance in this film established her as a prominent actress in the genre. Other notable film roles include:
Tunney has also had a successful television career, with starring roles in several notable series: