Born on March 1, 1971, in The Bronx, New York, Buono grew up in a hardworking, blue-collar household that instilled strong values from an early age. Even as a child, Buono showed a deep passion for acting, and by the time she was just 12 years old, she took initiative by responding to a casting call for Harvey Fierstein’s “Spookhouse”—a role she landed entirely on her own, without help from family or adults. That early success marked the beginning of what would become a long and varied career in entertainment.

Buono began building her resume throughout her teens and into her twenties, landing roles on both television and the New York stage. One of her standout early performances came in the CBS Schoolbreak Special “Abby, My Love” (1991), where she played a young victim of sexual abuse—a role so powerful it earned Buono a Daytime Emmy nomination. From there, she steadily moved into film, taking on small but memorable parts in Stephen Gyllenhaal’s “Waterland” (1992), starring Jeremy Irons and Ethan Hawke; portraying an illegal immigrant in “The Cowboy Way” (1994) alongside Woody Harrelson and Kiefer Sutherland; and appearing in Noah Baumbach’s beloved indie comedy “Kicking and Screaming” (1994), reuniting with her “Abby, My Love” co-star Josh Hamilton.

While pursuing her craft, Buono also dedicated herself to academics—graduating from Columbia University in 1993 with a double major in English and political science, completing her degree in just three years. After college, she focused more intently on character-driven roles, particularly in independent films and TV projects. She delivered a compelling performance as the wife of prison guard Robert Sean Leonard in “Killer: A Journal of Murder” (1996), a film centered around the chilling true story of criminal Carl Panzram, played by James Woods. Later, Buono charmed audiences as an accident-prone opera singer in love with a Jazz Era-obsessed young man (Gibson Frazier) in the quirky romantic comedy “Man of the Century” (1999).

Not content to stay only in front of the camera, Buono expanded her creative reach behind the scenes. She directed the short film “Baggage” (1997), featuring Liev Schreiber and Minnie Driver, and served as both co-producer and lead actress in the offbeat comedy “Two Ninas” (1999), which followed two women named Nina—played by Buono and Amanda Peet—who both fall for the same unlucky guy.

As the new millennium began, Buono’s film work became less mainstream, with appearances in lesser-known but critically noted films like the lesbian drama “Chutney Popcorn” (1999), “Attention Shoppers” (2000), and “Happy Accidents” (2000), the latter co-starring Marisa Tomei and Vincent D’Onofrio. These roles kept her active within indie circles, but Buono soon shifted focus toward television for broader visibility. This move paid off when she joined the ensemble casts of high-profile series such as “Third Watch” and “The Sopranos.”

In “Third Watch,” Buono portrayed paramedic Grace Foster, a tough yet vulnerable woman hiding a painful past shaped by her mother’s addiction. Then, in “The Sopranos,” she took on the role of Kelli Moltisanti, wife of Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli)—a character whose arc mirrored the tragic fate of many mob wives. Initially devoted and hopeful, Kelli eventually faced betrayal, fear, and isolation as her husband’s life spiraled out of control, culminating in his murder at the hands of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). It was a quiet but emotionally resonant performance that showcased Buono’s depth as an actress.

In 2007, Buono joined the cast of the cult-favorite series “The Dead Zone” (USA, 2002–2007), stepping into the role of Sheriff Anna Turner, who investigates the mysterious death of her predecessor, played by Chris Bruno. Around this time, she continued working in film with diverse roles, including playing David Banner’s ill-fated mother in Ang Lee’s “Hulk” (2003)—a woman tragically killed by her son’s uncontrollable rage—and later appearing as Artie Lange’s lazy, lovable girlfriend in the raucous comedy “Beer League” (2006).

Buono’s next major moment came in 2010 with her role in the critically acclaimed vampire drama “Let Me In,” the American remake of the Swedish hit “Let the Right One In.” She played the divorced mother of Kodi Smit-McPhee’s character, delivering a grounded, emotional performance that added warmth and realism to the haunting story.

That same year, Buono landed what would become her most widely recognized role: Dr. Faye Miller on the award-winning series “Mad Men.” As a sharp, intelligent market research consultant brought into Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, Buono’s portrayal of Faye stood out for its poise and psychological insight. At first resistant to Don Draper’s (Jon Hamm) advances, she gradually let her guard down, only to be heartbroken when he abruptly married his younger secretary, Megan Calvert (Jessica Pare), after she got too close to the truth about his hidden past. Her nuanced performance earned Buono an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2011—an achievement that solidified her status as a respected talent in television.

Following “Mad Men,” Buono appeared in the family-centered comedy “The Discoverers” (2012) and later took on a supporting role in the Stephen King adaptation “A Good Marriage” (2014), further demonstrating her range across genres. She returned to television with a guest arc on the procedural thriller “Person of Interest” (CBS, 2011–2016), before landing a breakout role that introduced her to a whole new generation of fans.

In 2016, Buono joined the cast of the Netflix phenomenon “Stranger Things” as Karen Wheeler, the concerned suburban mother trying to make sense of her children’s increasingly strange behavior. Her portrayal of a loving yet sometimes overwhelmed mom struck a chord with viewers worldwide, making her a familiar face in households across the globe. Over the seasons, Buono has balanced humor, worry, and resilience in a way that feels authentic and deeply human.

Throughout her decades-long career, Buono has consistently chosen complex, layered characters—whether on stage, in indie films, or on popular TV shows. With each role, she brings a quiet strength and emotional honesty that elevates every project she’s part of. And while she may not always be in the spotlight, her impact on screen remains undeniable.