Buono was born and raised in The Bronx, New York City, New York, in a blue-collar family[2] with two brothers and a sister.[3] She is of Italian descent.[4][5]
Buono attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School[6] and is a 1995 graduate of Columbia University with a double major in English and political science. She earned her degree in three years.[7] She made her acting debut in Harvey Fierstein's play Spook House.
Buono continued stage work both on Broadway and Off Broadway, and started her film