Laura Louise Smith was born in San Antonio, Texas. Her father was a career Army officer, offering her the opportunity to travel and live throughout the world in such places as Italy (birthplace of her maternal grandfather), Korea, Germany, France, England, Mexico, and many places across the United States. Her family has always played a huge role in her acting career through constant support and advice. From her Senior year in high school, Laura was hooked with the magic of entertainment and she quickly decided to start pursuing a career in acting at the University of St. Thomas in Texas & continued her education by attaining her MFA at The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Academy for Classical Acting at The George Washington University.