Alia Martine Shawkat was born in April 1989 in Riverside, California, and raised in Palm Springs. She is the daughter of actor Tony Shawkat and Dina Shawkat. Her maternal grandfather, Paul Burke, was also a well-known actor, remembered for his roles in television during the 1960s.

Alia developed an interest in the arts early in life. At the age of nine, she appeared in a Calvin Klein brochure, marking her first foray into modeling. Outside of acting, she is passionate about painting and music. Shawkat actively participates in gallery exhibitions and has hosted public showings of her artwork. She was educated in a local school in Rancho Mirage and enjoys hobbies such as horseback riding, dancing, and skating.

Breakthrough Role in Arrested Development

Shawkat began her acting career at age 11 with the role of Young Hannah Rayburn in the ABC Family series State of Grace. Prior to this, she held minor roles in projects such as the feature film Three Kings and television shows including JAG and The Trial of Old Drum.

Her breakout role came in 2003 when she was cast as Maeby Fünke in the award-winning comedy series Arrested Development. The show ran from 2003 to 2006 during its original broadcast and earned widespread critical acclaim. Shawkat’s performance as the scheming and quick-witted Maeby earned her a TV Land Award and a Young Artist Award. She credited show creator Mitch Hurwitz with helping shape her early career and described the cast as a positive and nurturing creative environment.