Success arrived early for Alia Shawkat when she landed a role on the series State of Grace at age 11. However, she is best known for her role as 'Maeby Funke' on Fox's Emmy Award® winning Arrested Development, where she portrayed a rebellious and mischievous member of a dysfunctional Orange County family trying to adjust to their loss of wealth.

Shawkat was introduced to show business when she appeared in a Calvin Klein catalogue, which immediately attracted the attention of commercial and theatrical agents in Hollywood. She soon landed a role opposite George Clooney in Three Kings. This was followed by a supporting lead in the Ron Perlman movie The Trial of Old Drum.

But it was State of Grace that catapulted her into the forefront of young actresses. She has had guest-starring roles on JAG, Without a Trace, Boomtown and Presidio Med, a recurring role on USA Network's Starter Wife, and starred opposite Martin Lawrence in the feature Rebound. Shawkat was also seen opposite William H. Macy and Cheryl Hines in the high-school comedy Bart Got A Room, which first premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2008. She also served as a producer on the film.

In her free time, Shawkat enjoys horseback riding, ice skating and dancing. She is an accomplished pianist and speaks several languages.