Charles Manning was born in Georgia and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended Vassar College where he majored in art history and graduated with honors. After college, he moved to New York City, where he worked for many years in publishing, becoming the style director of Cosmopolitan.com and Redbookmag.com before embarking on a new career as an actor. He is represented by UGA Talent and continues to live and work in New York City.