Alison Brie was born in Pasadena, California. Her mother is Jewish and Brie began her career acting onstage at the Jewish Community Center in Southern California. She graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a bachelor's in theater. Prior to becoming a television actress, Brie had worked as a clown at birthday parties, and performed in local theatrical plays in California.

One of Brie's first television roles was the minor character Nina, a novice hairdresser, on Hannah Montana. She then went on to star in the web series My Alibi. Brie auditioned and was chosen as Trudy Campbell in Mad Men. She also portrays Annie Edison, one of the central characters of the television show Community.