When she was just 8 years old, Cardone was selected by director Ron Howard and co-star Russell Crowe to play the role of Marcee, John Nash's imaginary young friend, in the critically acclaimed film A Beautiful Mind. She and her mother received the exciting news 15 minutes after leaving the audition as they were filling up their tank at the gas station down the street.

Born in Port Jefferson, New York, and raised on Long Island, Cardone followed in her older sister's footsteps and began appearing in commercials when she was only three months old. Her first commercials were public service announcements for recycling and vaccinations. She has gone on to appear in several national campaigns for such companies as Pillsbury and Pizza Hut.