Amanda Peet

 Amanda Peet was raised in New York City. She is the daughter of Penny (Levy) who is Social Worker and Charles Peet, a lawyer and also has an older sibling. Her father was of mostly English and German descent, while her mother was from a Jewish family (from Germany, Russia, and Hungary). Her great-grandfathers were politicians Samuel Levy and showbiz impresario S.L. Rothafel.Peet performed an unusual stage debut at three when she leapt onto the stage during the stage production. But, despite this unusual beginning, she eventually pursued acting more for fun more than anything else. Columbia University was her home. A drama instructor encouraged her to try out for Uta Hagen, who was an acting teacher. She continued to learn from Uta for four years. She also participated in the off Broadway revival of Clifford Odes's "Awake and Sing" She supported herself during the audition phase of her career through work as a waitress, and also the money she earned from an Skittles candy commercial. She worked tirelessly to get a guest-starring part in the TV show Law & Order (1990) in 1995.