Lilan Bowden was born in Alameda County, CA. At Castro Valley High School, she got her start in theater and improv comedy and continued to pursue those interests at University of California, Irvine. After she graduated from college, she moved to Los Angeles and started taking classes and performing at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. She still performs improv and live sketch comedy, and has a comedy duo with her best friend called "Lilan and Wilder." The correct pronunciation of her name is "LEE-lon."