Lori Petty was born on October 14, 1963, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is the eldest of three children born to a Pentecostal minister and his wife. Her early life was marked by frequent moves across the United States due to her father's job, which instilled in her a sense of adaptability and resilience.

After high school, she worked as a graphic designer in Omaha, Nebraska, before pursuing her passion for acting by moving to New York City to take acting classes.

Her television career began with guest appearances on shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Head of the Class," but she gained significant recognition for her role in the short-lived series "Booker" (1989-1990).

Her breakout role came in the 1991 action film "Point Break," where she played Tyler Endicott, a surfer who teaches Keanu Reeves' character how to surf. She continued to build her filmography with roles in "A League of Their Own" (1992), "Free Willy" (1993), and "Tank Girl" (1995), where she played the title character.

Lori Petty has also directed and written films. Her directorial debut came with the 2008 film "The Poker House," which was inspired by her own childhood experiences. She has also directed episodes of TV shows like "Orange Is the New Black" and "GLOW."

Her personal life includes her marriage to actor and director James Franco, with whom she has a son named Valo.