Taryn Manning's life began in Falls Church, Virginia, where she was born to Bill Manning, a musician, and his wife Sharyn. Her early life was marked by change, as her parents separated when she was just two months old. This led to her moving with her mother and brother to Tucson, Arizona, where she was raised. During her childhood, Manning was actively involved in various activities, including dance, karate, and acting.
As she grew older, Manning's family made another significant move, relocating to California when she was 12 years old. This move marked the beginning of her journey in the entertainment industry. Her first major role came in 2001, when she played the part of Maddy in the film Crazy/Beautiful.
Manning's breakthrough role arrived in 2005, when she played the character Nola in the film Hustle & Flow. Her performance in this film earned her a nomination from the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards for Best Breakthrough Performance. Additionally, the film received a SAG award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast.
Throughout her career, Manning has worked on a variety of projects, including television series and feature films. Some of her notable credits include her roles in Hawaii Five-0, Sons of Anarchy, Love Ranch, Cold Mountain, 8 Mile, A Lot Like Love, White Oleander, and Crossroads.
In addition to her acting work, Manning is also a talented fashion designer, singer-songwriter, and the vocalist for the electronic duo Boomkat. She is also the co-owner of the clothing brand "Born Uniqorn".