Vera Ann Farmiga, an American actress and singer, was born on August 6, 1973. Farmiga's professional acting began on stage in the original Broadway production of Taking Sides in 1996, but her breakthrough occurred in 2004 with her starring role as a drug addict in the drama Down to the Bone. She received recognition for starring in the 2009 comedy-drama Up in the Air, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She directed her first film in 2011, the drama Higher Ground, in which she also starred. Farmiga has diverse roles in films like The Manchurian Candidate (2004), The Departed (2006), The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), and Source Code (2011). Her lead roles in the films Joshua (2007) and Orphan (2009) cemented her as a notable scream queen. Farmiga's depiction of paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren in the Conjuring Universe has drawn considerable attention. Additionally, she featured prominently in the A&E drama horror series Bates Motel from 2013 to 2017, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Born in Clifton, New Jersey to Ukrainians parents, she maintains strong connections to her Ukrainian American heritage. Her first language was Ukrainian, and she did not learn English until she started kindergarten at age six. She had a diverse upbringing, dabbling in Ukrainian folk-dancing and classical piano. Farmiga remains proud of her heritage, considering herself "100% Ukrainian American". She attended Syracuse University, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1995.