Robin Tunney studied acting at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, spending her summer performing in such plays as "Bus Stop" and "Agnes of God". She moved to Los Angeles at the age of eighteen and shortly landed roles in such television shows as Life Goes On, Class of '96 (recurring), Law & Order, HBO's Dream On and the ABC mini-series J.F.K.: Reckless Youth, in which she played "Kit Kennedy". The Craft was Tunney's first film lead though she has appeared in many supporting roles.
She had to wear a wig during the production of The Craft because she shaved her head for her role in Empire Records, which was filmed a year earlier. Grew up with Lara Flynn Boyle and attended high school together at the prestigious Chicago Academy for the Arts. Is best friends with Indie Rocker Liz Phair. Born in Chicago, Illinois to a car salesman father and a bartender mother, and grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Irish American; her father emigrated from Ireland and her mother is a first generation Irish-American.