Laura Marano, born on November 29, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Ally Dawson in the Disney Channel series "Austin & Ally."

Her journey in the entertainment industry began at the age of five when she started acting at her mother's theatre, the Agoura Children's Theatre. Her mother, Ellen Marano, is a former actress and acting coach, while her father, Damiano Marano, is a college professor. She has an elder sister, Vanessa Marano, who is also an actress.

Her career took off with her role in the TV series "Without a Trace," where she appeared for three seasons. She also had a recurring role on the sitcom "Back to You" and appeared in several other TV shows and movies, including "The Sarah Silverman Program" and "Joan of Arcadia."

Her big break came with "Austin & Ally," which ran for four successful seasons and helped her gain international fame.

Laura Marano is also a talented singer. She signed with Big Machine Records in 2015 and released her debut single "Boombox" in 2016. She has since released several other singles, including "La La" and "Me." Her music often features pop elements, and she has performed at various events and concerts.

Her lifestyle is quite balanced despite her busy career. She attended a regular high school while working on "Austin & Ally," and in 2015, she enrolled at the University of Southern California, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Law.

On a personal level, she is relatively private but has shared that her time on "Austin & Ally" helped her overcome insecurities about her singing and boosted her confidence. She is currently not dating anyone but was previously in a relationship with musician Thom Macken.