Alyssa Milano was born in New York City, the daughter of Italian American parents Lin, a former fashion designer and talent manager, and Thomas M. Milano, a film music editor. She has a younger brother, Cory (born in 1982), who is also an actor, but has more recently started a band, called Chloroform Days, in which he is the lead singer. Alyssa Milano grew up in Staten Island and was raised Catholic. She began her career at the age of 8 when she won a part in an open audition for a national tour of Annie. She appeared in television commercials and off-Broadway productions.