Ali Larter is an American actress. Ali Larter is perhaps best known for playing the dual roles of Niki Sanders and Tracy Strauss on the NBC science fiction drama Heroes, as well as her guest roles on several television shows in the 1990s. She is the daughter of Margaret, a realtor, and Danforth, a trucking executive.

Ali Larter attended Carusi Middle School and later graduated from Cherry Hill High School West during her time as a model. Her parents have since moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania. She began her modeling career at the age of 14 when a scout discovered her on the street.

Ali Larter subsequently skipped her senior year to model in Australia, Italy and Japan, the latter a country she would temporarily settle in at the age of seventeen. While modelling in Italy, Ali Larter met fellow model and aspiring actress Amy Smart and the two became instant friends. A modeling job later took Ali to Los Angeles, whilst there, she decided to take acting classes with Smart.