Alanna Masterson Bio
Alanna Masterson (born June 27, 1988) is an American actress best known for her role as Tara Chambler on the AMC post-apocalyptic horror series The Walking Dead. Born and raised in New York City, Masterson began her acting career as a teenager in 2001 and eventually gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Tara Chambler on The Walking Dead, appearing from the fourth season onward. She was promoted to series regular status and contributed to what became one of cable television’s highest-rated dramas. Beyond her work in genre television, Masterson has pursued additional roles in film and television while building a career in entertainment shaped significantly by her family background.
Early Life and Background
Alanna Masterson was born in New York City, New York, on June 27, 1988. Her mother is Carol Masterson and her father is Joe Reaiche, a Lebanese-Australian former professional rugby league player who played for the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. She grew up with her brother Jordan Masterson and two half-brothers, Danny Masterson and Christopher Masterson. The family spent time on Long Island before eventually relocating to Los Angeles.
Masterson grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry due to her older brothers who both starred in popular television shows during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her passion for acting developed from spending considerable time on set with her brothers and observing the filmmaking process firsthand. This early exposure to the industry provided her with an understanding of the craft from a young age and motivated her to pursue acting professionally.
Path to Acting
Alanna Masterson began her professional acting career in 2001 at the age of 13. Her early start in the industry allowed her to gain valuable experience in front of the camera while learning the fundamentals of screen acting. As a teenager entering Hollywood, she benefited from the guidance and connections provided by her established brothers, though she worked to establish her own identity as a performer.
Throughout her formative years in the industry, Masterson continued to build her craft and accumulate on-screen experience. She took on various roles in film and television that helped her develop versatility as an actress. Her dedication to the profession during these early years laid the groundwork for the significant breakthrough that would come later in her career with The Walking Dead.
Alanna Masterson Career
Early Career (2001–2013)
Following her debut in 2001, Alanna Masterson appeared in various film and television projects throughout the 2000s. While specific credits from this period are extensive, she steadily built her resume with appearances that showcased her range and commitment to the craft. These early roles provided essential experience working alongside established industry professionals and learning the demands of television and film production.
Her development as an actress during this period was shaped by perseverance and a willingness to take on diverse characters. The foundation she built during these years proved instrumental in preparing her for the opportunities that would follow in her career.
Breakthrough (2013–Present)
Masterson achieved her breakthrough role when she joined the cast of The Walking Dead, the acclaimed AMC horror drama series based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman. She began portraying Tara Chambler starting in the show’s fourth season in 2013. Her character Tara Chambler appeared as a survivor navigating the post-apocalyptic world alongside the show’s ensemble cast.
Her performance resonated with audiences and critics, leading to her promotion to series regular beginning with the fifth season. Masterson continued in the role through subsequent seasons, eventually being added to the main credits starting with the seventh season. Her tenure on The Walking Dead established her as a recognizable figure in the genre television landscape and represented a defining milestone in her career.
Notable Works and Milestones
Beyond The Walking Dead, Masterson expanded her career with a recurring role in the fourth season of the ABC drama series Mistresses. She also took on a new creative challenge by directing her first short film titled “Am I A Bad Person?” which was selected for the Narrative Shorts category at the Tribeca Film Festival. This project marked her debut as a director and represented her first work under her married name, Alanna Longo. Masterson continues to pursue both acting and directing opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Alanna Masterson Family
Alanna Masterson is the daughter of Carol Masterson and Joe Reaiche, a former professional rugby league player. She is the younger sister of Jordan Masterson and the half-sister of Danny Masterson and Christopher Masterson, both of whom established acting careers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her extended family includes cousin Angus T. Jones. Masterson comes from a family with deep roots in the entertainment industry, with multiple siblings pursuing careers in acting and film.
Personal Life
In November 2015, Masterson and then-boyfriend Brick Stowell welcomed their daughter Marlowe. Masterson later married restaurateur Paul Longo in 2021. In June 2024, she announced her pregnancy via social media, and she and Paul Longo subsequently welcomed their son Vito Ford Longo in September 2024. Masterson has maintained a relatively private personal life while sharing certain milestones with her public audience through social media platforms.