Best known as the charismatic, manipulative teen social leader Alison DiLaurentis on seven seasons of the ABC Family/Freeform series “Pretty Little Liars,” actress Sasha Pieterse has led audiences to every medium she’s inhabited. Pieterse earned two Teen Choice Awards for her role in the drama mystery series and also starred in the sequel, “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists,” which premiered March 20, 2019 on Freeform

Beyond her successful acting career, Pieterse extends her talents through lifestyle. In 2019, she added cookbook author to her oeuvre, with Dey Street Books publishing “Sasha in Good Taste” on October 8, 2019. This book is an extension of her same-named website, YouTube series, and social pages offering “yummy food & drinks, home decor, design tips & tricks.”

Pieterse began her career in 2002 at the age of six, winning a Young Artist Award for her role as Buffy on the WB comedy series “Family Affair,” starring with Gary Cole and Tim Curry on the remake of the late-1960s television hit. She later reunited with Cole as his daughter in the cable thriller “Wanted,” and extended her telefilm repertoire with the Hallmark drama thriller “Claire,” opposite Valerie Bertinelli, and the Disney Channel Original Movie “Geek Charming.” She portrayed a young gypsy girl with fire powers in a recurring role on the hit NBC series “Heroes.” Pieterse earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for her guest turn on “House, M.D.,” as a terminal cancer patient terrified of dying without ever being kissed. She also had guest starring roles on “Without a Trace,” “Stargate SG-1,” “Medium,” “Hawaii Five-0” and “CSI: Miami.”

On the big screen, Pieterse’s first film role was as the Ice Princess in Robert Rodriguez’s 2005 adventure “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D,” followed by the crime drama “The Air I Breathe,” the comedy romance “Good Luck Chuck,” the 20th Century Fox blockbuster “X-Men: First Class,” and the teen comedy “G.B.F.” Winning the ensemble Robert Altman Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, Pieterse and co-stars Reese Witherspoon, Joaquin Phoenix, and Martin Short earned kudos for Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Inherent Vice,” with Pieterse as a runaway teen who Doc (Phoenix) recollects as one of his first cases. More recently she starred with Virginia Madsen and Kaley Cuoco in “Burning Bodhi,” in the adaptation of the young-adult novel “Coin Heist,” and in the 2018 ensemble drama “The Honor List.”

Pieterse was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and emigrated to America as a preschooler, landing in Las Vegas with her show-business parents before the family moved to Los Angeles. She became accustomed to the rigors of a career in entertainment at an early age, as her parents were a professional acrobatic dance team who performed worldwide. Along with acting, her early career included extensive modeling and commercial work.

Pieterse is married to her childhood friend, producer/writer Hudson Sheaffer, and is the proud owner of two Great Danes, Lady and Levi.