Vanessa Nicole Marano was born on October 31, 1992, in Los Angeles, California, to Ellen and Damiano Marano. Her mother owns the Agoura Children's Theatre, and her younger sister, Laura Marano, is also an actress.

She speaks Italian and has English and Irish ancestry on her mother's side and Italian descent on her father's side. She began acting professionally at the age of seven, starting with several national commercials.

She has had recurring roles in television series such as "Without a Trace," "Gilmore Girls," "Ghost Whisperer," "Scoundrels," "Grey's Anatomy," and "The Young and the Restless." From 2011 to 2017, she starred as Bay Kennish on the Freeform television series "Switched at Birth."

She has also appeared in films like "The Clique," "Dear Lemon Lima," "The Secret Lives of Dorks," and "Saving Zoë," which she also produced.

She enjoys listening to pop and alternative music, and she has mentioned that she is skilled at playing the piano and painting. She is known for her high energy and positive outlook on life, treating all challenges as opportunities.

She has been nominated twice for her work in "Switched at Birth" at the Teen Choice Awards and is considered one of the brightest prospects in the American television and film industry.