Meredith Salenger, born on March 14, 1970, in Malibu, California, is an American actress, writer, producer, and activist. She began her professional acting career at the age of 10, playing a singing and dancing orphan in the 1982 film "Annie," directed by John Huston.

By the age of 14, she had already starred as the lead role in the 1985 film "The Journey of Natty Gann," opposite John Cusack and Ray Wise. This film won the gold award at the Moscow Film Festival and earned her the "Best Actress in a Drama" award at the Youth in Film Awards.

After starring in several teen films, including "Dream a Little Dream" and "A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon," she took a break from Hollywood to attend Harvard University, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in psychology in 1992.

Upon her return to Hollywood, she resumed her acting career with credits in TV comedies like "H.U.D." and "Chicks," as well as dramatic roles in shows like "24," "Dawson's Creek," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Meredith Salenger has also voiced characters in several animated series, including "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," "Star Wars Rebels," and "The Secret Life of Pets 2."

In addition to her acting career, she has been certified in mediation from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law and works as a mediator for the Agency for Dispute Resolution in Beverly Hills. She married comedian Patton Oswalt in 2017 and became an instant mom to his daughter, Alice.

Meredith Salenger has appeared in over 80 movies and TV series, including "Lake Placid," "Village of the Damned," and "Race to Witch Mountain."