Graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts West.
First cousin five times removed of Buffalo Bill Cody (Buffalo Bill).
Raised in Centreville, Virginia, she moved to Los Angeles at age 19 to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts West.
Dawn Cody was in a relationship with Dan Harmon from 2003 to 2005. They worked together on many short video projects for Channel101.com, the monthly film festival and website he co-founded.