Dushku was born in Watertown, Massachusetts to Philip Dushku (an Albanian-American administrator and teacher) and Judy (a Danish-American university professor); she was raised in the LDS Church, the faith of her mother (though she is not actively practicing). She has three older brothers, Aaron, Ben, and Nate, the last of whom is also an actor. Dushku lives in the Los Angeles area.

Dushku came to the attention of casting agents when she was 10. Along with her brother, she went to a...