Alanna Masterson is an accomplished American actress who gained substantial recognition through her recurring role as Tara Chambler on the hit AMC series "The Walking Dead." Before this breakthrough role, she established her presence in television through appearances in various popular series, including "Malcolm in the Middle," "Greek," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," and "Grey's Anatomy." Her performance in "First Day" as the character Abby further demonstrated her versatility and talent as an actress.
| Full Name | Alanna Masterson |
|---|---|
| Profession | TV Actress |
| Famous For | Tara Chambler on "The Walking Dead" |
| Age | 36 Years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | June 27, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Long Island, New York |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Nationality | American |
| Net Worth | $2-3 Million (Estimated, 2025) |
| Husband | Paul Longo (married March 2021) |
| Children | One daughter (born November 2015) |
| Siblings | Brothers: Danny, Christopher, and Jordan Masterson |
Early Life & Background
Alanna Masterson was born on June 27, 1988, in Long Island, New York. She grew up in a family deeply connected to the entertainment industry, with three older brothers who all pursued acting careers: Danny, Christopher, and Jordan Masterson. This family environment likely provided early exposure to the world of acting and helped shape her interest in pursuing a career in the field.
Growing up in a household where acting was a common profession undoubtedly influenced her career path and potentially provided valuable insights into the industry from an early age. While specific details about her early childhood education remain private, her professional trajectory suggests a focus on developing performance skills from a young age.
Education and Training
While comprehensive information about Masterson's formal education is not widely documented, her early entry into professional acting suggests she may have received specialized training to develop her craft. Like many actors who begin their careers at a young age, she likely balanced educational requirements with professional commitments, potentially working with on-set tutors during production periods.
Career Journey
Early Roles
Alanna Masterson began her professional acting career with small roles in established television series. Her early career includes a 2006 appearance in the popular comedy "Malcolm in the Middle" and a 2008 role in the college-themed series "Greek." These initial roles, while modest in scale, provided valuable on-set experience and exposure to professional production environments.
She continued building her resume with guest appearances in well-regarded series, portraying Zoe McCarthy in an episode of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and Hillary Boyd in "Grey's Anatomy." These diverse roles across different genres demonstrated her versatility and helped establish her presence in the television industry.
First Significant Role
A more substantial opportunity came when Masterson secured the role of Abby in the 2010 series "First Day." Her appearance in seven episodes of this series represented a step up from her previous single-episode guest spots and allowed for more extended character development.
Breakthrough Role
Masterson's career reached a new level in 2013 when she joined the cast of AMC's post-apocalyptic drama "The Walking Dead" as Tara Chambler. Initially introduced as a recurring character, her performance resonated with audiences and the show's producers, leading to an expanded role. Tara became the first openly lesbian character on the series, adding important representation to the popular show.
Her portrayal of Tara—a character who evolved from a somewhat naive young woman to a capable survivor and leader—showcased her ability to handle complex character development over multiple seasons. This role significantly raised her profile in the industry and introduced her to a global audience, as "The Walking Dead" maintained strong international viewership throughout its run.
Personal Life
Family Background
Alanna Masterson comes from a family with strong ties to the entertainment industry. Her three older brothers—Danny, Christopher, and Jordan Masterson—are all actors with their own established careers. This family connection to acting likely provided both inspiration and practical knowledge as she developed her own career.
The Masterson siblings have occasionally worked together professionally, as evidenced by Alanna's appearance alongside her brother Danny on the TBS sitcom "Men at Work."
Relationships and Children
Masterson was previously in a relationship with photographer Brick Stowell, with whom she shares a daughter born in November 2015. While details about their relationship remain largely private, the birth of their daughter represented a significant personal milestone for the actress.
In March 2021, Masterson married restaurateur Paul Longo, beginning a new chapter in her personal life. As with many aspects of her private life, she has maintained relative privacy regarding the details of their relationship and wedding.
Net Worth & Financial Success
As of 2025, Alanna Masterson's estimated net worth falls between $2 million and $3 million. This financial standing stems primarily from her acting career, with her multi-season role on "The Walking Dead" likely representing her most significant income source to date.
Television actors on successful series typically earn increasing salaries as shows continue, and "The Walking Dead" maintained strong viewership throughout its run. Additional income sources may include:
- Earnings from earlier television roles
- Appearance fees at fan conventions related to "The Walking Dead"
- Potential endorsements or promotional partnerships
- Residual payments from reruns and streaming of previous work
Her continued activity in the entertainment industry suggests potential for further financial growth as she takes on new projects following her time on "The Walking Dead."
Physical Attributes
Alanna Masterson stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall. Throughout her career, and particularly during her time on "The Walking Dead," she has maintained a physically fit appearance appropriate for the demanding nature of action-oriented roles that often require substantial physical performance elements.
Work on "The Walking Dead"
Masterson's role as Tara Chambler on "The Walking Dead" represents her most significant professional achievement to date. Her character's journey on the series showcased her range as an actress, as Tara evolved significantly throughout her time on the show:
- Initially introduced as part of the Governor's group
- Development into a trusted member of the core survivor community
- Evolution into a leadership position within the group
- Navigation of complex relationships and losses
- Representation as one of the series' LGBTQ+ characters
The physically demanding nature of the role, which included action sequences, combat scenes, and filming in challenging outdoor environments, demonstrated her commitment to the craft and ability to perform under difficult production conditions.
Other Professional Work
Beyond "The Walking Dead," Masterson has continued to develop her career with appearances in other productions. Her work across multiple television formats and genres has helped establish her versatility as a performer capable of handling both dramatic and lighter material.
Her appearance alongside her brother Danny on "Men at Work" highlighted her ability to work within the comedy format, showing range beyond the intense drama of "The Walking Dead."
Public Persona and Social Media
While maintaining a somewhat reserved approach to public life compared to some celebrities, Masterson has established a presence on social media platforms where she occasionally shares professional updates and glimpses of her personal life. This balanced approach allows her to connect with fans while maintaining appropriate boundaries around her privacy.
Notable Facts & Trivia
- Family Legacy: Comes from a family of actors, with three brothers also in the entertainment industry.
- Character Significance: Portrayed one of the first openly LGBTQ+ characters on "The Walking Dead."
- Early Start: Began her professional acting career with television appearances as a teenager.
- Genre Versatility: Has worked across multiple television genres including comedy, drama, medical series, and post-apocalyptic horror.
- Sibling Collaboration: Appeared alongside her brother Danny Masterson on the TBS sitcom "Men at Work."
- Motherhood: Balanced her acting career with motherhood after welcoming her daughter in 2015.
FAQ
What is Alanna Masterson most famous for?
Alanna Masterson is best known for her role as Tara Chambler on AMC's post-apocalyptic drama series "The Walking Dead," which she joined in 2013.
Is Alanna Masterson related to other actors?
Yes, she has three older brothers who are also actors: Danny, Christopher, and Jordan Masterson.
Is Alanna Masterson married?
Yes, she married restaurateur Paul Longo in March 2021.
Does Alanna Masterson have children?
Yes, she has one daughter born in November 2015 from her previous relationship with Brick Stowell.
What other TV shows did Alanna Masterson appear in before "The Walking Dead"?
Before her breakthrough role, she appeared in shows including "Malcolm in the Middle," "Greek," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," "Grey's Anatomy," and played Abby in the series "First Day."