Lindhome was born in Coudersport, Pennsylvania in 1979 and grew up in Portville, New York.[4] She is primarily of Swedish heritage[5], but also about one-third Irish. She studied at Syracuse University and was part of the sketch comedy group "Syracuse Live". After graduating in 2000, Lindhome embarked on an acting career and, without an agent, was able to land a small role on the sitcom Titus and a minor role in the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.