Tina Majorino was born on February 7, 1985 in Westlake, California. She made her feature film debut starring opposite Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia in When a Man Loves a Woman, and soon after appeared in Corrina, Corrina. Majorino also starred in Andre, a film based on a true story of a harbor seal who journeyed from Boston to Maine for 23 years every summer to visit Toni (Majorino), the only child who helped rescue him. Majorino then played the role of Enola, along-side of Kevin Costner, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Dennis Hopper in Waterworld.

At the age of 13 Majorino disappeared from the screens to finish school and spend time with her family. The role of Deb in Napoleon Dynamite marked her return. Majorino appeared on television in Veronica Mars and Big Love, and in the music video Blind by the group Lifehouse.