Laura Marie Marano, born on November 29, 1995, is an accomplished American actress and singer. She gained recognition for her portrayal of Ally Dawson in the popular Disney Channel series Austin & Ally. Marano was also part of the original group of students on the television show Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?. Additionally, she showcased her talent in the critically acclaimed series Without a Trace for three seasons, as well as the sitcom Back to You. Marano has also made notable appearances in various films, including the independent production A Sort of Homecoming, the Disney Channel Original Movie Bad Hair Day, and the Netflix original movie The Perfect Date.