The only daughter of a General Motors executive, Bertinelli was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and raised with one older and two younger brothers. The family traveled through so many cities that she still calls herself a "GM brat". At fourteen, Bertinelli got the idea she would like to do some acting. "I did one commercial, for J.C. Penney", she says, "and did nothing else for months. Then, I got a call for One Day at a Time. Everyone at home was jubilant when the show went on the air. But the young actress' mood darkened when she realized that she had to work and go to school, as well. Her high school graduation in 1978 was "a real relief". Bertinelli has a home in Los Angeles and a production company (named Tuxedo Limited after one of the stray cats she's always taking in). She owns a Corvette and an MG.
Briefly dated director/producer Steven Spielberg in the late 70s. Dated actor Scott Colomby. Son Wolfgang born March 16, 1991. Turned down several feature film roles in the 'eighties because of gratuitous nudity. Was considered for Lori Singer's role in Footloose and Meg Tilly's role in The Big Chill. Ranked #29 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars" Born on the same day as Stephen Clark of Def Leppard. Filed for divorce from Edward Van Halen in December 2005. Ex-sister-in-law of Alex Van Halen.