Tyler Layton was raised in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham. Her father is a popular radio sports personality in Birmingham. In high school, she won the lead in most school theatrical and musical productions. She was also the Homecoming Queen in 1986. She attended the University of Alabama from 1986 to 1991 where she majored in theatre and starred in many productions. She was also the Homecoming Queen at the University in 1989. She lived in Chicago from 1991 to 1992, auditioning mainly for stage roles, between shifts at Murphy's Bleachers next to Wrigley Field. Moved to the LA area in 1992 to attend graduate school in theatre & drama.