Ann Magnuson was born January 4, 1956, in Charleston, West Virginia. She has become a well-known actress and performing artist, and got her beginnings as a nightclub performer. Her film break came in the 1985 production Desperately Seeking Susan, and she hasn't stopped there.

After her high school graduation in West Virginia, she went on to Dennison University, graduating in 1978. Afterward, she went to New York City to work as a performer in Club 57 (as well as DJ), and also investigated other performing avenues. She created many characters during this time. She also sang in the percussion band Pulsallama, an all-female group.

Magnuson's break in film came in 1982, when she debuted in the film Vortex. Afterward she played the cigarette firl in Deperately Seekign Susan. The director, Susan Seidelman, then starred Magnuson in another film, Making Mr. Right, which included John Malkovich in the lineup. It was in this film that she made her mark as a character actress.

Magnuson continued to pursue her musical career as well, as lead vocalist for Bongwater. They released four albums, but split in 1992; however, she still works on her music in many ways, producing satirical lyrics and appearing in music videos for various bands. She also continues to do small satirical skits in movies and has a bent for social (especially female) stereotypes.

More recently, her television and film appearances include CSI: Miami (2004), and Our House. She has over 50 appearances in film and television, one credit as a writer for Alive from Off Center, and at least seven other appearances as herself, the latest of which was TV Party (2005).